Description

Hi. I’m Steph. I was very fortunate to be very connected to hiking and camping and outdoors through my childhood and youth and I have my own little kiddo now and I’ve been on a mission since he was born to figure out how to share this with him at whatever his capacity is at each age.

THIS HIKE:
Saturday morning 8:30AM meetup
Hike something that is a reasonable distance for the group
My thoughts are: Brockton Point with First Pump Extension Option
Please share your thoughts

Questions to answer on signup:
-Who are the interested members of your family (adults/kids) and what age are the kids
-What would be your top 2 hike choices for this hike?
-If you are interested in this KIND of thing this summer, but can’t make THIS ONE, please ‘sign up’ but indicate that you can’t do this one and I will leave you on the waitlist. This will help me know if I should keep this going.

Series notes:
Hikes of various lengths and difficulties over the course of the summer. Destinations that include lakes, lookouts, summits…whatever is interesting and reasonable. Ideally kids that are interested will do some research and know the route (do kids using mapping apps these days?? I did this all with paper maps as a kid). I hope that a kid can be out front of the group on every hike. Can we get to crown mountain as a crew this year? Third peak? Maybe. You tell me.

Philosophical Thoughts:

-Kids are people.
-Groups of kids of disparate age can, as a collective, really increase the feeling of independence and autonomy (from adult instruction). Magical things happen when kids are allowed to be themselves.
-I really mean all ages. If you have an interested teenager – please include them. It was being part of a group of families that hiked together that led to my first backpacking trips (some of which were parent-free!).
-Kids have an innate desire to be helpful…parents have an unfortunate habit of getting in the way of that (I don’t exclude myself here).
-I want to create an environment where kids can really thrive. Hiking gets kids away from the biggest risk factor (vehicles/roads), and into a place that is inherently interesting (nature).
-I am a totally amateur parent. I know literally nothing about childhood development except what my own kid has taught me as he grows (and I am always behind). If your kid is older than my kid…then your kid knows way more about what they are capable of than I do.
-I would love for every kid that is interested to develop the confidence and skills to get inspired by an outing, plan that outing, and make that outing happen safely. I would love to see kids being in charge of hikes as the summer progresses (if they want to). It is also totally ok (in my mind) if a kid wants to come along as a passenger and use nature as a way to ‘turn off’ their brain. Not everything has to be about achievement and growth.
-This is not childcare – every kid needs to be accompanied by a responsible adult. (in case that was not clear).
-People without kids are also welcome to join…just know what you are signing up for.