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Nothing can be more fun or more torture than a family hike. It depends on what you bring and how you prepare.

Is there a purpose to your hike? Taking the family with children and the intent to hike around the Grand Canyon or climb Pike's Peak can bring an entire new meaning to the words, "are we there yet?"

Kids love a sense of adventure. They like to explore. For small children, a hike in the county park can be more than enough and the new sites and smells of springtime can lead to fun treasure hunts. Preparing ahead of time with lists of what to look for and check off, like: a monarch butterfly, a dandelion, wild violets, a mushroom, etc. can be fun and give kids a sense of purpose. Don't expect them to just go along and enjoy the scenery.

We used to go geocaching with the family - kid, adults, canines. This gave us a purpose to our hike, and kids love to bring their own treasure to place into the hiding spot. If you are unfamiliar with the fast growing sport, www.geocaching.com is an official site where one can learn the basics from the best GPS to different locations around the world.

Many people discuss what to wear hiking; proper boots or shoes, long pants to protect against thorns, a hat to protect from the sun. I suggest double socking with silk liners then cotton socks to help cut down on blisters. When we hike we have two different kits. One is for the kids, one for adults. They might contain some conventional things, but there are some less usual items I've found handy too.

First off in the adult "pack" I like to carry the following: lots of bug spray for deep woods but family formula (low to little deet), this can be used on dogs as well as kids, moleskin for any blisters that might happen along the way, a simple first aid kit including band-aids, antiseptic spray, tweezers because young hands attract splinters but also for any ticks that might happen to hop along. Along that line, I bring tick tweezers too. Compact snacks, water, and a compass round out the simple kit. While walking sticks are nice, usually if you are in woods you can find a stick to use that works.

The children's kit is a bit different, and it has to do with items that can help if they get separated from the adults. This can easily happen when a child is chasing a butterfly, following a stream or deer trail and suddenly...uh oh! They are separated from the group. It is important to prepare kids for what to do if they get temporarily lost. Let them know they WILL be found. They need to go to the nearest tree by the path they were on and sit by it. They should NOT wander and call out. Staying in one place is very important to their being found quickly.

In their pack, we carry the following items: a bandanna of bright color. This can be hung up on a branch and seen from a distance. A whistle. This can be blown in three blasts periodically by the child, as calling out would create a quick loss of their voice over time. Water - and they should be advised to drink when they are thirsty and NOT to save it. They will be found, even if the search goes through the night. A large trash bag. They can put a hole in the bottom of the bag that their head sticks out through, and the plastic bag will keep them warm and dry. Finally, a breakfast bar or snack will round out the pack - all of these items fitting nicely in a fanny pack around their waist.

The National Association of Search and Rescue puts out a video and coloring book series for schools called "Lost But Found, Safe and Sound" which is a terrific classroom reminder to young children of what to do if lost.

Learn more about this author, Elizabeth Bridgette.
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