Friday, December 19, 2008

Hiking with Kids


Josh Thomas, our one and own Central Piedmont Group Chair, has a new post over at Ecochildsplay.com. So go over there and check out his seven tips; for now, here's a small preview:
1. Give kids real responsibility

Captain (hiking leader), Cook (snacks holder), Chief Navigator (map holder/user), Lead Photographer, etc. These all work. Just be sure you have a
role for each child.

2. Switch roles frequently

If you have 4 kids or fewer on the trip, switch often enough (roughly every 7-8
minutes for four kids) so that all can be Captain at least once per half hour.

3. Think Journey, Journey, Journey

Every time you announce a role change, remind yourself that this is about the journey, not the destination, and that the kids are dictating the pace (30 photos of tree sap? Of course that’s a good idea!)

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