Backpacking Tips for Families

My wife and I decided it was time to take our three children on their first overnight backpacking trip.  At ages 8, 6 and 4 we felt the idea fit our summer plan of building opportunities through concreted cultivation and just maybe a lesson of what you carry on your back is all you need to survive.  A little dramatic I know, but a great educational experience for our kids and for us the parents.  I shared our success with a few friends who expressed a similar desire to take the maiden voyage with their own children.  They asked if we had any tips, so here are a few that come to mind:

• Planning: Get them involved prior to the trip, read maps, load the backpack, hike around the block.
• Short hike: Make it short and leave them wanting more.  One-way should be no more than two miles.
• Interesting destination: Lakes, rivers, ponds, historical landmarks.  End points do matter when children are looking forward to something.
• Trail breaks: Stop a few times along the way to take in snacks/water/photos.  Milestone markers like overlooks, trail features or simple shady spots work well.
• Who’s time-line anyway: Don’t hike on your agenda but there’s.  If the hike takes 45 minutes for an adult plan on twice that time with children.  There legs are a lot smaller than yours.
• Am I old enough: hard to answer, some 6 year olds act like 12 and some 12 like 6.  Use judgment, warm them up on day hikes first.
  
  
• Leave no trace: Start them early and practice the right method of low impact camping.
• Pack weight: Have them carry their own pack with at least water, snack, sleeping bag and clothes, creates ownership, plus you have enough weight on your hands.
• Leave them wanting more: If they ask about hiking further or staying an extra night, you’ve arrived and ready for the next trip.
• Photos: what can I say, worth a thousand words

What tips do you have? At what age did you take your first backpacking or camping trip?  Did your experience influence a direction in your life?

Additional Resources:

Backpacking with Kids (REI)

Lightweight Backpacking with Young Children (Backpacking Light)

Hiking and Backpacking with Kids (Trailspace)