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 TIP SHEET
1. Timing is everything. Children are at the right age for backpacking when they’re either young enough to ride in the child carrier, or old enough to be potty-trained, don’t need a nap, and able to walk for a couple of hours.
2. For the antsy or the miffed, Bray suggests games like scavenger hunts for the summit or for breaks during the day.
3. Keep it short. One to two nights works best if kids haven’t spent an overnight outdoors; longer if it’s a hut-to-hut trip. And give kids projects for when you get to the campsite. Assigning jobs like clearing rocks for the tent or serving as the Leave No Trace police frees you up to focus on your tasks.
Biggest Challenges: Kids clamming up and not sharing how they’re doing; kids who ask “are we there yet?” after 100 yards; general fear of the unknown about sleeping outside.
Where To Go: Lonesome Lake Hut offers a great beginner experience for kids. It’s an easy hike there with a cool lake to splash around at the end.
Resources: AMC’s Family Adventure Camps. Weeklong camps for families with children ages five to 12 with planned activities, great meals, and skills building in the White Mountains and Maine. See the AMC Summerguide for more information.
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Creature Comforts: Backpacking
Just the thought of backpacking with a child may be enough to exhaust you. But the lessons they’ll learn in self-sufficiency and low-impact camping can last a lifetime. A single backpacking trip costs far less than a night in a motel and may stay with your child for years to come, says Tim Bray, AMC’s director of adventure programs. Parents who want to take young kids on wilderness overnights are generally experienced backpackers, but don’t treat the children like your peers, says Bray. The lower and more flexible your expectations, the greater the odds your trip will be successful.
As you plan, try to think like a kid. The goal of a distant vista is not nearly as compelling as a dead cricket there on the trail. “And if children want their Game Boy or teddy bear, let them bring it,” he says. “The trick is to amaze them enough to keep them interested so they don’t need it.” Having a repertoire of knots, songs, and fire-making tricks up your sleeve will go a long way toward this. Another plus is that kids are guaranteed to be tuckered out by bedtime and generally content to snuggle safely between their parents in a warm tent. Bray says all the repetitive rituals—finding water, making dinner, and identifying stars—can also be very grounding for a child.
Just remember to be realistic and conservative when setting goals: you may be carrying your children or hiking very slowly if they’re walking. Plan much shorter outings than you’re used to and prepare a Plan B (or C) if bad weather, foul moods, or tired little legs prevail. But take heart: at the age of five, kids can start carrying a small pack with snacks and a rain jacket or fleece. By about seven or eight, they may be ready for a small frame pack and more items.
Keep family adventure fun. Photo: AMC Photo Files.
