My views on children hiking

[Brad]

When I was 5 years old I started going to an 8-week summer camp on Cape Cod. When I was 8 I shifted to a camp in NH and continued to go there till I was senior staff and was out of college. The NH camp always has been and still is extremely strong in woodsmen skills, trips program, trail maintenance, and teaching how to appreciate the outdoors. I would like to pass on some of that love to my grandkids.

If I had grown up in a big city, I might have a greater appreciation for the symphony, opera and other activities. I like them - but, I am not passionate about them like I am being outdoors. My oldest grandson would not last 5 minutes at the opera. But, get him out on a trail above tree line and see the smile as he looks out over a valley - sees where he has climbed from - and soaks in the whole experience. Just seeing that is a wonderful experience for me. Sure, we might get caught in a rain (or even snow) storm in the summer. But, we are prepared for it and it becomes just a part of the memories.

The key is to be prepared (where are the Boy Scouts here?) and be safe.

Here is a picture of my 9-year old grandson on Mt Washington for the first time (it was not his first hike by any stretch - but, was certainly harder than the other hikes). We were going from Lakes of the Clouds to the summit of Mt Washington and the clouds started to roll in. Look carefully and you can see the smile.

[Snow Miser]

The reason that I spend so much time on this forum and other hiking forums is because of the people (at least the majority). It's one of the reasons that I like hiking so much as well. It isn't just the mountains and the woods and the trails - it's the wonderful people (again the majority) that you meet out there. That's the kind of person that I want my child to be and one of the many reasons that I think kids should be out there.

I love hiking, and this forum too for the reasons Mark states above. Also, there are so many nice people on here that are willing to take the time to give you advice, or give answers to whatever questions you may have. It's a great place to be with such a great bunch of folks!

[Brad]

Hikng is one of those things no one can do for you. You get above treeline and you did it yourself. Get to the summit and see the view and know you accomplished something. I still get a thrill out of it and for kids it is a thrill too.

[mtruman]

I thought of something else that I had mentioned to our friend Mary on Sunday during our hike. The first 4K that our daughter did when she was 9 was Cannon. We hiked up the Kinsman Ridge trail and she was in the lead pretty much the whole way. She also had a constant smile on her face. When we got almost to the summit she turned to me with the biggest smile of all and said "Dad - this is even better than Disney World!". That was one of the happiest moments of my life...

[claaky23]

I hike Monadnock every Thursday before I have to go to work for 4pm. Once the summer started winding down these Thursday hikes were VERY lonely. Not many people can say they've been on the summit of Monadnock by themselves since it is such an extremely busy summit, but the first two Thursdays of September I had a half hour to myself.
LAST Thursday, On my way up the mountain I could hear lots of voices and yelling. When I got to the top there was about 60-80 kids there from a field trip. I'd guess 4th-6th grade age.
Anyone that could hear them all chirping away about how awesome it was that they made it and how "hard" some of the climbs were would understand that hiking with children is more constructive than destructive. It was really a thrill and a privilige for me to see all those kids on the summit. Way better for the kids than a field trip to Plymouth Rock or Old Sturbridge Village.
That being said; parents who would consider a hike a significant accomplishment for themselves, in my opinion should not attempt the hike with their children. Someone who has never climbed something close to Washington, should probably avoid taking their kids with them on their first attempt. Let me give an very specific example before I get pounced on. I know a couple that does not exercise, hike walk or other. they recently tried, for the first time, climbing a mountain(Monadnock). The couple is grossly out of shape. They carried their 2 yr old son up in a carry pack, making the task even more difficult. How can you be responsible for an additional person, when you aren't sure you can take care of yourself?
That's just my opinion.

JC

[njgail11]

Brad and mtruman i would like to thank you for taking the time to write and send a picture. Great shots and your right the children look happy. I am so grateful people took the time to be nice and explain to me why they hike with their kids. I do understand now.

Thanks

[Rich]

But I will agree with your statement on some levels. Should parents with infants be hiking to the summit with a baby backpack strapped on. NO!!!

Ooops, sorry Ryan...I promise we'll never do it again, besides I'm all out of infants. Question...is it OK to hike to the summit with an infant AND a 4 and a half year old?

[Charlie]

would this be the same as taking a older person on a hike

i took one for seek the peak


and he kicked my but also

i say its up to the parents are the ones that will make it safe for the kids to hike and if the parents are not safe well they should not be there

[BlueDog]

Must have been a theme that weekend. Brad told me he has some big kid hiking with him that just wouldn't act his age!

would this be the same as taking a older person on a hike

i took one for seek the peak


and he kicked my but also

i say its up to the parents are the ones that will make it safe for the kids to hike and if the parents are not safe well they should not be there

[Charlie]

Must have been a theme that weekend. Brad told me he has some big kid hiking with him that just wouldn't act his age!

that was Ed O'Malley not me