Wander Wisdom #1 - Front-loading Safety Expectations

Wander Wisdom #1 - Front-loading Safety Expectations

 Colleen Schwebach hiking with 4 choldren climbing rock formation in the background

We were blessed to make some great outdoor memories this summer. One of them was my husband and me taking our kids fishing (the first time for our two youngest). Another was a trip to Governor Dodge State Park that my friend and I took with our kids…two moms exploring with seven children ages eight and under, including one infant! On the trip, I led a nature hike for the 4 oldest that brought me back to my days in outdoor education (see image above)

After working in the field of outdoor education for 5 years before getting married, I feel at home leading groups of excited children on treks through the woods. There is just something about the visible joy of a child who has noticed a small detail of God’s creation for the first time that makes me happy. I love every step of the process of preparing, leading, and processing a nature hike with a group, from front loading expectations for safety to modeling curiosity and cheerful determination when legs begin to weary…and I’m excited to share my knowledge with you in a few bits of “Wander Wisdom”. This month I will share some of my rules for kids’ trail safety…

Wander Wisdom #1 - Front-loading Safety Expectations

Rule #1 - Listen Right Away, All the Way - Hiking together as a family is supposed to be fun but can become stressful and risky if the pack splits up. Make sure that your kids know the rules for safe hiking before you start moving. No child should ever be alone. Everyone must expect to have to stay together within reasonable distance. Depending on the age of your children, that means remaining within sight (or earshot), even on twisting paths, and letting you walk first when navigating tricky areas. Make sure they understand that any directions you give, even if they don’t immediately understand them, come out of love and experience.

Hike Hack #1 - If certain children feel the need to run ahead because littles are slowing the group down, agree upon a visual landmark they are allowed to reach before running back to the group. This can keep them moving and having fun while remaining supervised.

Rule # 2 - Pray for the Best and Prep for the Worst - Kids should be taught of the risk of becoming lost on the trail at an age- and temperament-appropriate level. Sharing stories you have heard on the news of kids getting lost outdoors and taking steps to be found is not a bad idea and might start great discussions on survival. If it is possible for each hiker to wear a light bag or fanny pack with basic items like water, a snack, and a weather-proof extra layer (along with anything else specific to your environment), that is great! Survival kits and trainings are a topic for another day, but they can be a fun way to interest children in the hiking experience as long as they do not cause anxiety. Our goal is to inform our kids judgement. Starting each hike with a prayer is helpful for keeping balance.

Hike Hack #2 - Give each child a good whistle on a lanyard to wear, and teach how and when to use it (ex. not just for fun as it will disturb wildlife and other hikers)! It can be fun to make and practice a “whistle code” for “Checking in”, “Stop”, “Wait”, and “Help”.

Rule # 3 - Stay on the Path - Taking a turn without the group, wandering off-path, or accidentally following a deer path can spell disaster for distracted young children if they are out of eyesight. Make sure that even the youngest children know not to start blindly running if they become frightened at finding themselves alone, but to instead call out and blow their whistle. Better yet, teach everyone to notice the boundaries of the trail and wait for you at every fork. There is solace that comes with knowing that if you feel lost on an established trail and have made no turns, re-tracing your steps should always lead you back to where you came from. Check-in with your group frequently, especially before the halfway-point of a loop, to gauge morale for completing a long hike vs the need to turn around and head back the way you came. It is not a failure to cut a hike short, but good risk management.

Hike Hack #3 - Take the opportunity to teach about local harmful plants during your “stay on the path” talk. This will be both educational and an added incentive to pay attention to path boundaries.

…get more Wander Wisdom and Hike Hacks in future editions of the Discovered Newsletter!

+JMJ+

 

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