Where the Wild Kids Are: Ages 6 to 8

AMC Outdoors, June 1999

Kids this age are stronger and more experienced. Best of all, they're starting to really understand what's going on around them. So besides just being able to traverse longer distances (whole-day activities can be great at this age) over more difficult terrain, they can figure out how they're going to get there. Teach them how to read a compass and trail maps. This way they'll be able to give a heads-up on what's coming up and an approximate arrival time at your designated spot. Even though they're not totally independent, it'll give them a great sense of accomplishment that they're "leading" the group.

With this newfound independence though, come added safety risks. Make sure your children know what to do if they get lost, and have them wear bright clothing and perhaps a whistle around their necks. There's no point in scaring them, but the sooner safety is learned, the quicker it becomes ingrained. Ondrasik, who leads a Scout troop, teaches safety lessons by having kids make first-aid kits, engage in role-playing situations, and practice first-aid techniques.

This is an ideal time to expand your family's outdoor horizons. What about bringing some water into the mix? Canoeing is a good option, because six- to eight-year-olds can help paddle, but always use life jackets on little paddlers, and put one on yourself to set a good example. Before setting adrift on a trip, practice with a skills course if you're rusty or new to the sport. Always bring a complete change of clothes for each child (if children get wet, they need to dry off quickly) and cushions for comfort and safety.

"We go up to Maine with two other families, and they always bring canoes. The kids lash together driftwood and attach it to the canoes, making a pirate ship. Building it has turned into an annual tradition for the kids," says Ondrasik. Revel in your children's experience, and let yourself learn from them. "I think one of the joys of being in the outdoors with our kids is the interest and enthusiasm they have for things they see and experience. We often see and learn things we never would have otherwise noticed on our own," says Paul Lones, the Family chair of AMC's Maine Chapter and father of two children, ages seven and nine.

"One morning my daughter Amy woke me up after a fresh snowfall and started to point out all the animal tracks she could see out the window, trying to figure out which animals might have made them and what they were up to," says Lones. Through school and their own curiosity, elementary-school-aged children are developing individual interests and skills. There's a wide range of ability in six- to eight-year-olds. Realize that while your child is growing quickly, you'll still need to be prepared to adjust your travel plans. "One of the earlier things I learned about outings with children is that you have to go with the idea that the goals have to be something of mutual interest in order for everyone to enjoy themselves. Going out and expecting to cover the same miles or kilometers as you would without kids or stopping only when you would want to stop results in frustration for everyone. The outing really needs to match the needs, interests, and abilities of the kids," says Lones.

 Wild Kids Intro, Ages 0 to 2  |  Ages 3 to 5  |  Ages 6 to 8  | Ages 9 to 12  |  Ages 13 and Up