Where the Wild Kids Are

AMC Outdoors, June 1999

by Jenna Stanley

If you're reading this, you most definitely love being outdoors. And given the subject matter of this article, you're probably also a parent. So picture those darling kids of yours for a moment. Your 15-month-old howls when he has to spend even a minute in the sun. Your three-year-old gets upset whenever you make him miss Barney. But you're starting to get itchy feet, and you keep fantasizing about taking them out with you on the trail. For some parents, even brave ones, kids and the outdoors seem to make a tentative mix. But when you think about it, they have a lot in common — they both can be unpredictable, messy, and at times, awe-inspiring. And while you probably won't see Infant Rock Climbing 101 offered in the AMC Outdoor Adventures catalog anytime soon, there are still plenty of opportunities out there for adventurous parents. In that spirit, we present a guide to enjoying the outdoors with your kids.

Infants to Two-Year-Olds
An excursion with children this young will be based largely on your own stamina and comfort levels. The best outdoor activity for them? Hiking. In fact, taking a trek down a trail with little ones may never be so easy again. Children will spend most of their time in a child carrier, which means (for better or worse), they'll be on your back. Good because you know where they are at all times, but tiring because, well, they're on your back. Manufacturers recommend that you use child carriers only when your baby is able to sit up unsupported. (Try using a front-carrier or sling-style carrier before then for short trips.)

You'll get a strenuous workout carrying your little one around, but it's not all sweat and toil. "This is a wonderful time to get outside again and give yourself some fresh air. Besides, from my own experience I've found that babies take great naps in a backpack!" says Nancy Ritger, education coordinator for the AMC in New Hampshire and a mother of three. "I started taking my kids out on hikes when they were just a few weeks old, and it made such a difference in terms of my sanity."

How much you'll be able to carry is an important consideration. Remember that it's not just the baby that's going to pack on extra weight, but also the essentials that your child needs. The necessities are the obvious — diapers and food — but a favorite toy or two wouldn't hurt. Bring a rain hood to shield your child from the elements. (Some of them attach to the carrier itself.) Babies younger than six months should not wear sunscreen or insect repellent, so you'll need to be extra careful about shielding them from the sun and bugs with clothes, hoods, and hats.

"When my son Christian was little I was nursing, so I didn't need to bring along food, just lots of bottled water for me," says Jackie Prince Roberts, of the Washington, D.C., Chapter. "As he's gotten older we've started to pack pre-made bottles. Aside from the standard diaper stuff, we also take some small toys, a good hat, a beach towel for nursing, a cotton spit-up cloth, extra clothes, and plastic bags for the dirty clothes and diapers."

Routine is also important for children this young, so try to schedule your hikes around eating and napping times. Your little one is less likely to be fussy if he's well rested and fed. "We would try to start our day after Christian had his morning nap, which seemed to be the most critical nap in terms of keeping him in a good mood. The afternoon nap could get pushed around with fewer problems," says Prince Roberts.

Your jaunts might not be that long until you get used to your new outdoor companion, but eventually even back-country trips are possible. Only experienced backpackers should attempt this, because although they're snug on your back, kids can still be unpredictable. Even a minor illness can be difficult to treat when you're miles away from civilization.

"When my daughter was 18 months old, we ventured out on a backpacking trip to Carter Notch Hut. Using the hut made the trip doable with a young child and gear," says Kathy Ondrasik, a mother of two and member of the Worcester Chapter.

When your child reaches the older part of this age group and becomes a full-fledged toddler, he'll be ready to start exploring, but he'll still be a manageable companion. "A lot of the toddlers we take out on AMC programs love to play games like sorting rocks and leaves, and they could sit by a stream for an hour doing it. As long as toddlers' basic needs are met, they're pretty content," says Ritger.

Every child is different, so take note of what your child is interested in at the moment and run with it. "By the time my son Graham was 18 months, he was intrigued by the signs on the trail for bear and moose, so he went through the woods relatively quietly on the off chance we'd see a bear," says Maya Howard, a mother of three and a member of the Maine Chapter.

—Jenna Stanley, a former editor of Parents Magazine, is a freelance writer in Westchester County, N.Y.

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