Description
This article is from the Outdoor
Activities for Young Children FAQ, by Gloria Logan
glogan@atk.com with numerous contributions by others.
13 BACKPACKING: YOSEMITE:
I have taken my daughter on this trip (at 3) and it was a LOT of fun.
NOTE: Update 1/25/94 -- The description of the trip is essentially the
same today, but they have upped the target age of the chilren to 6-10.
What happened is that the leader (who is wonderful) is doing this
because of HIS son (who alway goes on the trip with him). Since the
son is getting older, they are targetting slightly older kids in
general for the trip. I took my daughter again each of the last two
years (when she was 5 and 6) and it continues to be a very good trip.
Hopefully, we will go again this summer (at 7).
FAMILY BACKPACK TRIP - for Families with Young Children
where: Yosemite, off Tioga Pass
when: depends on year - 1992 is August 21,22,23
cost: $100/adult,$65/child 4-7
It's never too early to get out on the trail with kids, especially when
they have other kids to explore with! This trip is designed for
families with young kids, primarily 4-7 years old. Any style family is
welcome, including single parents. Younger kids often go if the
parents are up for some extra work (in 1990 two 18-month olds went).
You drive up the day before and camp in a reserved campground that
night, at Tuolumne meadows. The trip starts the first morning with an
easy 2-3 mile hike to a campsite. The middle day you simply explore
around the campsite, letting the kids do what kids do best - play. The
third day, you hike out and drive home. Each family brings their own
equipment and food and does their own cooking, so you can suit
yourselves.
The children don't mind getting dirty and have a wonderful time! One
year, we camped by a creek that was small enough for the kids to wade
in. There are always LOTS of rocks to climb. If you are interested,
contact:
Yosemite Association
(209)379-2646
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>>cost: $100/adult,$65/child 4-7
>
>I don't understand what you get for your $100. You drive yourself,
>bring your own food and equipment... Why not just get a couple of
>families and go backpacking together?
Others feel this way too. I do not watch my money down to the last
dollar and what I get is all the logistics done: they pick the route,
they get the permits, they bring all of us together. To do this trip
yourself, you would have to decide to do it back in Jan. or Feb. to get
permits; waiting to the last minute means that you might not be able to
go. Also, how well do you know the possible routes? Picking from a
book might work for an adult where the cost of a mistake (too long, too
hard, poor campsite) is small, but can spoil the trip with a kid along;
I know one poor 5 year old who climbed all the way up to Cathedral
lakes and made things very unpleasant for her parents because it was
too hard/long for her. To me, it is worth it, but everyone must judge
for themselves. Your last sentence pre-supposes that you can FIND
other families. I have very bad luck at this. Some of my friends will
car-camp but not backpack. Those that might backpack are not free when
I am. Etc.
>I have a four year old and am really looking forward to being able to
>take him backpacking. I have tried starting him off on day hikes but
>he refuses to walk more than a 100 yards without sitting down for a
>snack. Any advice on getting kids to like hiking?
My daughter was similar. Two things I did last year (when she was 3):
- took a VERY, VERY slow pace so she only walked 100 yards at a
stretch - these stretches were intersperced with snack times or
pauses to climb rocks or ... - you MUST re-set your expectations
compared to when you backpack as an adult - would you believe, 3
hours to go a little over a mile?
- did it with other kids - seeing others up in front, she would want
to go ahead to be with them - this worked in reverse when the other
kids stopped! - but overall, the group-setting helped motivate her
to keep walking
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children, child, kid, Outdoor Activities, backpacking, ski, canoeing, biking, camping, trailer
