OutGrown Blog

If you love to hike but run short on ideas when the snow starts to fly, here are some great ways to enjoy the winter with your entire family. And if you need a few good reasons why you should brave the winter cold to go outside and play, here’s some motivation. 1. Some basic outdoor winter fun ideas include going on a scavenger hunt, building a good old-fashioned snowman, or a snow fort. You can find more basic ideas on this list of 10 ways to play in the snow. 2. Of course, you could always go out and hike! It’s cold, but if you and the kids—even the baby—wear the right gear, you’ll all stay nice and toasty. Snowshoeing is probably the ultimate way to “hike” in winter. L.L.Bean has a great selection of snowshoes, as do many other retailers online or off. Check out these seven ways to hike when you’re in a winter wonderland. 3. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can take the whole family cold-weather camping. While having an RV is the ideal, you can car camp too with cold weather sleeping bags and tents. You’ll have lots of space and fresh, crisp air. If you need more reasons why winter camping is rad, here’s some food for thought. 4. Nighttime holiday light or star walks are fun and a great way to make memories this time of year. Take the kids out, bundled up, and walk around your neighborhood (or a neighborhood near you known for their light displays). Bring hot chocolate in a thermos and make it an adventure. Be sure to bring a flashlight and reflective clothing. 5. Kids love to sled! Find a (moderately) daring hill and bring everyone out to enjoy the sledding fun! You can get plastic sleds at most big box stores, or if you’re really raring to get out there, even a broken down cardboard box will do. Number four on this list provides even more tips. 6. Of course, cross-country or downhill skiing (not to mention, ice skating) are excellent ways to enjoy the winter. If you have a nearby facility or hill, rent some skis and make a day of it. Most resorts allow you to bring a bag lunch so you can also keep costs down. Take a look at this article about Jeri Collins for some inspiration. 7. Caroling with the kids and friends is a wonderful way to make memories and brighten people’s lives. Practice a few songs, or just have the sheet music ready, then go out in the neighborhood and sing! Maybe some friendly neighbors will even give you hot chocolate and cookies while you’re at it! 8. Finally, longer nights means hiking in the dark. This list of eight night hikes includes ideas such as sunset and sunrise hikes, full moon walks, glow stick strolls, a listening hike, and more. However you choose to get outside with the kids this winter, you’re sure to make memories and find a whole new perspective on hiking—and winter fun. To help you get started, we've provided a downloadable Winter Bucket List for your family to work on this winter. Further down, for your convenience, we also linked to some local events to help you plan your winter activities (or any all year-round!).  What ideas do you have for winter activities? Share them in the comments! Local events Below are some links to local events we've gathered from several Hike it Baby branches to jumpstart your planning. Portland: Red Tricycle and PDX Parent Seattle: Sounds Fun Mom Austin: Do512 Family and Free Fun in Austin Charleston: Macaroni Kid - Charleston, Macaroni Kid - North Charleston and Charleston City Moms Blog Anchorage: Anchorage with Kids Tacoma: Sounds Fun Mom Snohomish: ParentMap Harrisburg: Macaroni Kid - Harrisburg and Central Penn Parent Kitsap County: Macaroni Kid - Kitsap San Antonio: Alamo City Moms Blog Ann Arbor: Ann Arbor with Kids, Ann Arbor Observer and Metro Parent for Southeast Michigan Salt Lake City: The Salt Project San Diego: Historic Julian, California and San Diego Sightseeing Tours Des Moines: Des Moines Parent and Des Moines Outdoor Fun Calgary, AB: Born to be Adventurous, Play Outside Guide and Rockies Family Adventures Kansas City: KC Parent and Johnson County Park & Recreation District Read more: Exploring the senses with a winter scavenger hunt Snow play: 10 Ways to enjoy the winter for unlimited fun Hiking groups and challenges to consider in the new year Photo by Krystal Weir; Bucket List by Alex Wong. Tamara Johnson graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2007 with a BFA in photography and a minor in creative non-fiction. After spending nearly a decade writing and editing for the photo giant B&H Photo, Tamara went into business for herself as a freelancer. When she’s not in the city, she loves to explore the Adirondack Mountains. Hiking/walking, kayaking, yoga and meditating are just a few of the things Tamara enjoys during non-working hours. She also loves dogs and hopes to have a few someday.      

In a society where technology has become commonplace, people sit in restaurants and coffee shops, whether with friends or family, and are glued to their tablets and smartphones. Kids and adults alike are inundated with a nonstop flow of entertainment options. Whether it’s Netflix, networks that provide 24-hour programming, video games or game apps, it’s no wonder parents have trouble getting kids to unplug and play outside. Here are a few tips to help make that transition. 1. Disconnect and schedule time outside. Kids generally want to hang out indoors because that’s where their technology resides, like smartphones, tablets, game consoles and non-stop cartoon networks. Set time limits for technology and schedule a break to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. It doesn’t have to be an epic adventure; everyday activities can serve the same purpose. Hike at a local city or state park, enjoy dinner outside, or plan a spontaneous scavenger hunt with the kids. 2. Be an active role model. Sedentary kids typically have sedentary parents. Kids who see active parents, tend to follow in their footsteps. This begins at an early age; you can start out slow and gradually extend the amount of time you spend outside. Extend the invitation to other kids who may be in similar situations and help them get out in nature too. I remember my wife and me kayaking with our twin nephews when they sat in the front of the tandem boats and picked up floating seaweed as we paddled along the intracoastal waterway. 3. There’s a time and place for technology. Technology isn't all bad; it can be useful when the need arises. A friend came to visit and her 9-year-old son and I were outside on the deck talking sports when the conversation turned to constellations as stars began to appear. After much discussion and pointing out some of the more familiar ones, he retreated inside and grabbed his iPad and downloaded a stargazing app that aligns with the sky and identifies stars, constellations and planets. We continued this each night during the remainder of his stay. 4. Gear up! Here’s the good news: it doesn’t require a lot of expensive gear to get the kids out the door. Comfortable clothes and shoes are all you need. But it's a good idea to always have a day pack ready with the essentials before heading out the door. 5. Let your kids be part of the planning. Encouraging kids to get involved in the planning helps get them excited for the adventures ahead. A good friend's son came home one day after seeing a mural at school of the Seven Summits (the highest peak on every continent). He committed to climbing all seven and did so before he turned 16 (and set many world records in his quest!). All that was made possible because his dad and step-mom gave him the gift of YES! 6. Plan outdoor experiences around school breaks. During the school year, it's hard to take extended time away so make the best of those days off school to plan getaways whether you go for only a few hours or can make it a few days. A family friend brought her three kids (9, 11 and 13) to see us during their spring break a few years ago. We spent that week enjoying the best that the New River Gorge area had to offer. Each subsequent spring break involved skiing, time on the water in kayaks or on stand-up paddleboards, riding ziplines, and whitewater paddling. 7. Take advantage of the evenings and weekends. For families with kids in school, often it's not convenient to get outside in between all the busyness of homework and after-school activities. Here are some ideas to fit in time outside despite the shorter evenings. In addition, there are 52 weeks each year and they all end with a weekend. Try to carve out some time of the weekends to take a breather in nature and unplug and spend some quality time together as a family. One of my favorite childhood memories was the weekly camping trips our family took each weekend to the lake. 8. Let it evolve organically. While small children may get exposed to the great outdoors in a child carrier during hikes, sooner rather than later, they will want to explore on their own. Let them! Although the hikes may be shorter and more time may be spent picking up every rock or stick along the path, this will be time well spent and worth the longer and slower trek through the woods. 9. Raise the bar. As kids become more comfortable in outdoor adventures, try to keep the excitement level high and interesting. If they become bored, they may seek to bail on the outings. Try to pick out a new trail to tackle periodically, have them invite friends or mix things up with themed hikes or scavenger hunts. 10. Join a local organization. Groups and organizations, such as Hike it Baby, are a great way to discover new areas and meet like-minded families. And it's a great way to learn new skills, explore never-before-visited trails and make lifelong friends. Take it a step further and join a challenge, like the Hike it Baby 30 Challenge, which happens twice a year, to give yourself goals to reach through the month or year. The next generation of modern explorers may be taking their first steps today. Famous explorers Ernest Shackleton, Roald Amundsen, and Sir Edmund Hillary all pushed the barriers of exploration. However, just like kids today, they all had to start somewhere. Read more: Hiking groups and challenges to consider in the new year Hiking essentials: what to pack for a day hike 10 Essentials for the trail with baby 9 Tips for successful day hikes with young children Clay Abney is a freelance adventure travel writer living in the "wild and wonderful" state of West Virginia. At 48 (the new 28), he still competes in multi-day adventure races, loves abusing gear, and traveling to remote and off-the-grid locations around the world. He enjoys sharing his experiences (and expertise) with friends and family while hopefully inspiring a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts.

Whether you’re new to hiking with your baby or toddler, or you’re looking for a new trail to explore, the Hike it Baby community is a valuable resource for finding family hiking trails around the country. In this article, we share three kid-friendly hikes in Maryland to explore with babies and young children. Lake Roland: Boardwalk, Paved Loop & Red Trail (Baltimore, M.D.) Lake Roland features flat and wide trails for families with kids who are still sitting in strollers. It's a fairly easy trail to explore with young kids. The Red Trail, which is the main trail, is 2 miles. Red Trail leads you to Lake Roland and to the Paved Loop (.5 miles) and the Boardwalk (.3 miles). Once you reach the back of the loop, walk down the wide steps across a light rail crossing the Red Trail. Walk along the backside of Lake Roland as well as an old rail pathway and you'll enjoy the variety of art inspirations created with natural objects. Continue on the Red Trail and you’ll cross over the Jones Falls, where there's a 10-foot rock ready for kids to climb and conquer. Tips: If your kids get tired from the hike, take a break and enjoy the views of Lake Roland, play fairy garden or play at the Acorn Hill Playground before heading back. The playground is located at the end of Red Trail where the Paved Loop is located. Take some time away from your hike and let your kids explore the nature center at the Paved Loop and Boardwalk. Starting at the light rail station, this trail is accessible from all Baltimore points via car or train. Depending on the season, you’ll spot a variety of wildflowers along the trail. If you detour off the green, orange or yellow trails, you will get views of the Serpentine Forest. Depending on the weather, you can choose to head up to the playground (complete with “climbing vines,” a play train, logs, mining store, ticket booth, mud kitchen and swings ... and picnic tables for snacks), walk the paved loop or stop by the new nature center, which has reptiles and animals, a craft station and a train play table. Either way, you’re bound to run the littles, get some fresh air and have a wonderful day! There is a fun rock outcropping and, of course, a bridge they’ll want to toss a leaf off of. The other really cool feature of the Red Trail is the art walk. Each year new artwork is added and you never know how amazing or out there it will be. –Shannon McDonald Marshy Point: Katie & Wil’s Trail (Baltimore, M.D.) If you are looking for a place for reflection to feel good about life, Marshy Point embodies that. Katie & Wil's Trail was built in memory of a mother and son, Katie and Wil Brady, who passed away in a tragic collison. So when hiking this trail, remember its purpose and reflect on the love of your family and children. Marshy Point features a self-guided nature trail and a butterfly garden, and Katie and Wil's Trail is roughly 1.25 miles round trip and makes for an easy hike for your kids. The trail is paved and flat, which is great for strollers. It starts at the Nature Center and winds through the coast plain forest and adjacent wetlands. This trail is blazed orange and provides awesome views from an observation point and bridge. The Minnow Branch Creek provides an opportunity for your kids to observe wetland animals, amphibians and fish during tidal movement. You can read more about the trail in our Family Trail Guide. Tips: When you're hiking with the kids in winter, wear waterproof boots, hats and gloves. Some of the trails during winter are passable during winter months. During the early spring months, flooding may be an issue in some areas of the trail. Check the Nature Center to see the status of trails before you hit the trail. Baltimore County Park Marshy Point has a variety of flat (if not submerged) trails for even the littlest of legs. One of our family's favorite trails are combining the Katie and Wil’s (K&T) Trail and Vernal Pond Eastern loop. K&T is a paved and bridged trail accessible for all. We love to collect the “monkey balls” from the Sweetgum trees and toss them in the Minnow Branch Creek; even the most reluctant toddler is eager to participate in this activity. Once over the bridge, the sometimes muddy trail typically has a fallen tree to inspect or crawl over. Zigzagging 'til you reach the raised plank boardwalk, the tired little legs can’t resist either running or balancing along the path where you pop out to the group camping site to stop and snack while sitting around log seating. –Shannon McDonad Southside ACLT Ridge Loop (Port Republic, M.D.) Southside ACLT Ridge Loop is roughly 1.35 miles roundtrip. The trail is leveled and perfect for families and little ones. Along the trail, there are trees and plants native to the area marked with their names and descriptions. Make this a fun and educational hike for the kids by letting them discover the native trees and plants throughout the trail. There is a "pack in, pack out" policy that helps reduce litter in the natural environment. This initiative is to preserve and protect the environment, making it more enjoyable for families and their little ones to explore. Stay on trail at all times. Don't collect or remove anything from the trails (including artifacts, wood, plants, etc.). Although your little ones may want to pick up something along the way to keep as a souvenir, talk to your little ones about the importance of leaving no trace. It’s to preserve the natural environment around them. Tips: Printed maps are available at each trailhead. There are three trailheads: North Side, PF2Bay and South Side. Before hitting the trails with your kids, make sure you sign in on the provided sign-up sheet located at each trailhead. More Resources Hike it Baby calendar (or connect with the local branch) Hike it Baby Family Trail Guide Maryland Department of Natural Resources Hike it Baby: 100 Awesome Outdoor Adventures with Babies and Toddlers – New Book by Hike it Baby Founder Shanti Hodges If you're traveling through Maryland and need more information or recommendations on trails or would like to join a group hike, the nearest Hike it Baby branches are in Annapolis and Baltimore. Read More: 3 Great Trails for Young Kids in Pennsylvania 3 Scenic Hikes in Delaware to Explore with Young Children 3 Great Hikes in New Jersey for Young Children Trail reviews and photos by Shannon McDonald and Samantha Williams.   

A few years ago, after a bout of influenza, I progressively struggled when riding my spin bike during winter training sessions. As a then-avid mountain biker, trail runner, hiker, etc., it was alarming to feel sudden dizziness, blazing hot, and like I could not breathe after barely any exertion. And then the hives hit. I had hives constantly. An Allergist-Immunologist diagnosed me with "Exercise Induced Anaphylaxis," and with a sternly written letter, warned me I should NEVER hike in remote areas due to the risk of not receiving immediate medical help. Me. The kind of mom to my first child who carried him in my Deuter KC 1 on backpacking trips to Pictured Rocks … alone. I was constantly outdoors with my oldest, and my nickname was the Energizer Bunny because I never stopped pushing my limits. It wasn’t just hives, though, and just anaphylaxis with exercising to “exertion.” I became dizzy constantly and exhausted, and I could barely walk. I had to take a leave of absence from my teaching job so I could lie in bed at home because that’s all I could do. My body essentially lost its chill after the influenza virus. Fast forward to some Mayo Clinic trips, and I was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS.) I could only stay level in bed or risk blacking out. My legs would turn purple from blood pooling if I stood. I couldn’t even grocery shop or make dinner. I went through some pretty dark days in 2015 to early 2016. By April 2016, after using up all of my time off and then some, I decided to quit my career in order to focus on regaining my health. I started by walking block(s) with my husband because I was petrified I’d pass out on the cement. I could not even think of going on a trail. I’d have panic attacks if we tried to go to a park to walk trails. Finding healing … one hike at a time Slowly after months, I let him drive me to a park with a trail that I knew I could see the trailhead at all times. There were a lot of tears and anxiety that day. I still couldn’t imagine walking alone in the woods and having an anaphylactic episode. But he walked and walked and walked some more with me … until I was doing miles on trails again by October 2016 (and feeling the best I could with occasional hives and dizziness). I mostly gained my health back and got pregnant. After Graham Bear was born, I still didn’t walk with just my kids because the fear was way too much. Until February 2018. I went to my first Hike it Baby walk with just Graham Bear in the Ergo on a trail nonetheless and actually stayed after everyone else left and walked more alone, because I was feeling it. I was hooked. A few months later, I joined the April Hike it Baby 30 Challenge and realized a few days into it that I could hit 100 trail miles by the end, and so I did. Now? We’ve done three HiB 30 challenges with 100+ miles each. I know it’s about getting my kiddos outside in nature, but I’ll admit, I have my own goal beyond getting them outside. There was a time I thought I’d never be able to hike any mileage with my boys again, and it crushed me as a mother. The potential loss of trips, adventures and memories crushed me! Time in nature with my boys will always be worth the work, so thanks to Hike it Baby for inspiring me to get after it again. Read more: Making time for yourself on the trail How one family finds big adventure in nature's details One mother's journey to overcome postpartum anxiety and PTSD Often in the Hike it Baby community, the question is asked what “adventurous” means. And the answer is different for all of us. For some, it’s climbing a mountain with a frame carrier fully loaded or doing a huge backpacking overnighter with a new little. For others, it’s ditching the stroller for the first time and trying a dirt trail or finding the courage to put one foot in front of the other. There are so many levels of “adventure” and we wanted to share stories of families who redefined adventure on their terms.  Liz Goossen has lived on all three coasts of the United States, but currently resides on the Third Coast in West Michigan with her husband, Darryl; two sons, 9-year-old Noah and 16-month-old Graham; and their stubborn yet adorable Husky, River. When she is not out adventuring in the ever impressive Great Lakes region, Liz is probably relaxing at home with her boys and researching their next adventure. She and her family participated in the November 2018 HiB 30 Challenge and surpassed her goal of doing 150 miles. They ended the challenge with 162.89 miles and 3492 minutes.  

Here at Hike it Baby, our main focus is to provide support to get families out in nature, especially families with young children, birth to school-age. We want to help you raise a generation to love the outdoors! However, we also know that enjoying the outdoors can come in many ways and forms, and sometimes you want a more epic adventure or you have a more specific challenge in mind. That’s why we have compiled a list of other hiking and outdoor groups that may spark your interest along with a few outdoor challenge groups that couple nicely with being a part of our Hike it Baby community. 1. Adventure Mamas Initiative Adventure doesn’t end when motherhood begins. Adventure Mamas Initiative is working to redefine motherhood and to empower women to live a balanced, adventurous, authentic life. Looking for a new challenge or epic adventure in 2019? Adventure Mamas hosts both single-day adventure workshops as well as longer expedition-style adventures. Check out the educational resource section of their site for content relating to the various phases and stages of motherhood or connect with a local collab for events near you. 2. Hike Like a Woman Here is another women’s hiking group that is dedicated to empowering women of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, etc. to get outside and have an adventure, no matter how big or small. They have local hiking groups all over the U.S. and a few other countries where you can join other women on hikes and other adventures. They also have an active blog for gear reviews and tips, a podcast, some awesome events throughout the year such as Take Your Daughter on a Hike Day in October and various Outdoor Woman Retreats, and more! They are currently finalizing the topics and dates for an Outdoor School as well, so keep an eye on their website and social media pages or sign up for their newsletter to find out more. 3. Women Who Hike Women Who Hike is an organization that empowers women on and off the trail. Their main goal is to bring women together to connect with one another and inspire each other through hiking journeys and time in nature. Check out their hike schedule or join a Facebook group in your area. 4. Hikerbabes Here is a women’s group with a challenge goal: to go on 100 hikes. Unlike many other challenges, there is no timeframe for completing the 100 hikes. The focus is more on the journey as opposed to the stress of competing against a timeframe. They have local Facebook chapters in the U.S. and other countries where ambassadors host hikes and members can organize trail meetups. Each time you hike, you post on social media with the hike number to keep track of where you are along your journey to 100 hikes. For more details, check out their website. 5. Local and Regional Organizations Looking for a more local hiking group that better focuses on the outdoor spaces near you (such as the Washington Trails Association or The Capital Hiking Club)? Check out this website for links to hiking groups listed by state. You can also find links to hiking organizations worldwide broken down by country or region. 6. 52 Hike Challenge Join the 52 Hike Challenge and you can challenge your family to complete 52 hikes in a year. “The 52 hike challenge is a global movement empowering you to take a personal journey to discover the physical, mental and spiritual benefits gained through hiking once a week for an entire year.” They offer multiple challenges depending on experience level, but they suggest starting with the original challenge of 52 hikes in 52 weeks. This challenge runs for a year, but you can start at any time throughout the year. Each Hike it Baby branch strives to hold at least one hike a week throughout the year, making this challenge even more doable for members of our Hike it Baby community! 7. 365 Mile Challenge The 365 Mile Challenge was started by a group of busy moms who also happen to be outdoor bloggers. You may recognize some of their popular blogs: The Kid Project, Go Adventure Mom, Tales of a Mountain Mama and Currently Wandering. The goal is to get outdoors and move one mile a day in 2019. These miles must be self-propelled, such as hiking, biking or snowshoeing; but activities like snowmobiling don’t count. This challenge runs from January 1 to December 31. The cost to enter the challenge is $25, which gets you exclusive discounts, access to the Facebook group for motivation, entry into prize drawings, and more. Do you have a favorite hiking group or challenge other than Hike it Baby? Let us know in the comments below! Read more: 5 Benefits of hiking with babies and toddlers 3 Reasons to get on trail with grandparents Nature babies: why having young kids in nature is so important for their health Photo by Jennifer Campbell.

With the holiday season upon us, life can get busy. Make sure to take some time to settle in with a good book between building a snowman and sipping hot cocoa. Lands of Lost Borders: A Journey on the Silk Road by Kate Harris Kate Harris' book Lands of Lost Borders: A Journey on the Silk Road tells the story of the author's love of adventure while giving the reader a glimpse at a thrilling journey along the Silk Road in Tibet. Harris' travelogue provides background into life of adventure, from growing up in a small town in Canada to summers of travel in college. Fascination with travel and adventure led Harris and her college friend to explore the Silk Road via bicycle. While that seems adventuresome enough, Harris details the struggles and challenges that come along with her life of adventure, including sneaking past border guards due to lack of proper visas. Harris traveled for the love of adventure. She wasn't trying to escape or run away from anything. That's what fascinated and inspired me the most. She provided me with inspiration and left me wanting to plan a grand adventure of my own. Miss Maple's Seeds by Eliza Wheeler This story of adventure follows Miss Maple as she travels to gather and collect seeds to care for until they return to the earth to grow. Providing a message of "small but mighty," Miss Maple points out that even the tallest of tress started as the smallest of seeds. Miss Maple is a whimsical character that children will love, and the illustrations in the story are beautiful and engaging to the reader and child. The message of being small but strong will be a hit with a preschool-age audience. It may also be used before a hike, and after the book is finished being read, young hikers can look for seeds. Hike it Baby now has a Goodreads Group! Join today and add books to our bookshelf! Looking for more member reviews? Search our blog for other Book Review posts!  Submit your review here for a chance to be included in an upcoming blog post! 

It's important we Leave No Trace when exploring outside, which can be hard when hiking with toddlers and children. This video walks you through having a successful hike with little ones who might have a hard time not picking up rocks and flowers or leaving their new favorite stick behind. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO When planning your outdoor adventure, have your child research the weather forecast and help them plan the best clothing to wear, provide trail choices, and allow them to choose their lunch or snack for the trip. STAY ON THE TRAIL Always use established trails whenever available. Kids often want to explore off trail, so teaching them to walk in single-file in the middle of the trail, even when the trail is wet or muddy, is very important. Talk with them about the impact their presence has on plants, animals and bugs. To help make staying on trail fun, encourage your children’s imaginations while directing their powers of awareness and conscious foot-stepping by playing “detective” and following your “ninjas” trails as they navigate the forest. PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT Accept the challenge of packing out all trash, leftover food and litter when visiting the outdoors. Play “I spy” with trash by creating a competition among kids (or between kids and parents) to see who can collect the most litter. RESPECT WILDLIFE Animal encounters are a natural fascination for kids. Help your children understand how to keep a safe distance from wildlife. Quick movements and loud noises are stressful to animals. Never feed animals. Keep wildlife wild. LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND This can be difficult for kids. When your kid discovers a cool rock or finds the perfect hiking stick, it can be really hard for them to leave it behind. With toddlers, a first step can be to limit trail treasures to one item and talking to them about the impact of picking flowers and leaves can have. For older kids, you can give your child a camera to take photos of treasures they find on the trail or have them carry a nature journal to record their discoveries. BE KIND TO OTHERS Encourage kids to be respectful, courteous and polite when playing outdoors. Model and teach good manners, such as sharing the trail with others while avoiding bad behaviors, such as making loud noises or talking on a cell phone. What are some of your ideas for helping your kids be adventurous on a hike while maintaining the nature around them? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below. https://youtu.be/hiJD65oAIGg Read More: Leave No Trace: What does it mean for kids? Leave No Trace part 2-"Choose the Right Path" Leave No Trace part 1-Plan Ahead and Prepare    

As we sit on the edge of another year, with leaves falling and layers getting thicker, it’s time once again for us to reach out to you all and thank you for another year of support. We’ve come a long way since Mason and my first hike when we went out with a group of women. I still remember that day and the excited feeling I had when I walked up and saw women from my new mama group sitting on a picnic bench talking and waiting for me. They seemed so experienced with their three-month-olds. I felt so green. In hindsight, I had probably over prepared with my stroller. I had literally brought the entire nursery with me. (Did you experience that?) They were so nice and gently talked me into leaving the stroller, the giant diaper bag and all of the extras. I was beyond my comfort zone. They helped me put on my soft-structured carrier that I was still really nervous about wearing and off we went. That feeling of camaraderie was what hooked me on hiking with others. My dream was that one day I would have a calendar online that I could go to and that there would be hikes all over town that  I could pick from on any given day, knowing that my community would be there to support me. And I wanted to share that feeling and resource with everybody! I still pinch myself at the fact that five years later, there are so many Hike it Baby communities all across the United States and beyond doing what I did that first day, gathering in a park and going for a hike with babies. I knew finding hiking buddies with babies would be a good thing for me emotionally and physically, but I didn’t realize it would be so infectious and end up creating real live communities for families everywhere. As beautiful as it has been watching Hike it Baby blossom, with all of this growth that we have felt, there are also pain points. One of the hardest things is that no matter how hard we work at keeping Hike it Baby going and growing, we can never do enough. We are doing our best and we improve our organization daily, but there’s still a long road ahead of us. We need your help with this.  One of the hardest things for me personally is asking for donations for Hike it Baby, but I have to. It’s important for many reasons. First and foremost, the Government requires that our community show their support in what’s called “the public support test.” This simply means they want to see that the community, 300 branches strong, also financially donate to us. They want to see support beyond funding by sponsors. Donation drives like the Hike it Baby 30 Challenge, Giving Tuesday and our membership are a necessary part. Our communities have grown immensely in the last year, but the same cannot be said for our public donations support. There are many reasons for this. I think one of the biggest reasons is people assume because we have grown so much that we’re doing fine and we don’t need funding. I wish this were true. Of our 250,000 participating families, 101,567 have registered on our website and 16,150 families have purchased paid memberships. That’s less than 10% of registered Hikeitbaby.com users. This means that, at this time, we are not meeting what the government would like to see for support from our community. Since Hike it Baby came into the picture in the outdoors industry, the government, other nonprofits and companies have all started including families with young children into the conversation. Before Hike it Baby, “family” in the outdoors meant mom, dad and maybe a pre-teen and a teenager. Hike it Baby is a community that builds and expands beyond that. The Hike it Baby website allows us to move beyond Facebook groups and events or other outlets, which can be glitchy and not as secure. The website also allows us to reach families beyond those social media networks and is key to giving a home to our community. It also allows members to create the community and gatherings by posting hikes. The content is created by members: parents getting outside with their little ones. What’s hard for us to show is all of the things going on behind the scenes like the technology we are currently improving and building on to help show family growth on trail, keeping the community connected through our website vs. forcing people on to social media. The Hike it Baby 30 Challenge tools are run by volunteers, who believe in getting families out there season after season. But all of this comes at a cost, which is why we need to ask for support every Giving Tuesday. This is a beautiful community we have all created together; help us keep it going. Please give today during this season of giving. Last year on Giving Tuesday we raised a $830. We really appreciated that and every little bit helps us move the organization forward. But I also think we could do better together. Think about this: If every member of Hike it Baby gave a one-time donation of $5, we could provide support to get another 26,000 families hiking with us. Please help us with a small gift to help ensure that Hike it Baby keeps doing its job getting families together across the country, day after day.  Hike it Baby has proven over and over again that we are here for our community. We support members when natural disasters hit, we work with the city and state to help make our public lands more family-friendly, and we are constantly thinking of new ways to encourage more families to get out there. We are real-time community on demand for families who want to get outdoors. We believe no family should feel unsupported when they hit the trail and we take this very seriously. We know you believe in this mission too. Please take a moment to consider donating something this Giving Tuesday. It can be $5, $10, $50, $100. Whatever works for your family. It all helps and we appreciate every dime. Any donation you make today is 100% tax-deductible, and this year, as a bonus, we have partnered with Sunday Afternoons to help encourage that donation.  Please donate today to help us keep our community thriving for many generations to come. Happy Hiking, Shanti Hodges  

November is coming to an end, but not so our thanks for the blessings we enjoy in and from nature. Even as the cold closes in around us, we look back with appreciation and forward with anticipation to the new year and the spring for more adventure, fellowship and memory-making with family and Hike it Baby friends in the outdoors. Then again, who says our enjoyment of the outdoors has to end in winter anyway? For many of us, it won't. Whether you wish to hibernate for the season or feel invigorated by winter and can't wait to get outside, enjoy our final collection of stories in this series. November 25: Becky Rowe I’m thankful that Hike it Baby has helped me become a better parent – teaching me to let my children learn through mitigated risk instead of direct instruction/example/parental takeover. They have flourished with this change, and it has helped me grow in ways I never imagined.         November 26: Clay Abney I travel all over the world as an adventure travel writer. While most of my travels are solo, some of my favorite experiences are those that I've been able to share with my niece and nephews over the years. While they are no longer small children, experiencing adventures with them at any age has always created the most special memories. This image is at Machu Picchu after hiking the Inca Trail as part of their high school graduation trip. I'm thankful they still like to spend time with their uncle and are always up for a new adventure. November 27: Ruth Weisman I am thankful for the community and friendships I've built with Hike it Baby. Just over one year ago I had a new baby, in a new place. I was feeling lost and lonely, and cabin fever was setting in. When I went on my first hikes, the hike hosts and branch ambassadors were kind enough to wait for me, usually late, adjusting to getting a 2-month-old out the door and needing to nurse and diaper change as soon as we arrived. Their patience and understanding gave me the confidence to get outside and meet new families. At the one-year mark I decided I wanted to continue that trend by volunteering to build a new branch, bringing Hike it Baby a little closer to home.     November 28: Karen Shiffler I'm thankful for how the outdoors help my children THRIVE! The difference between when they're inside versus outside is amazing. Surprisingly, I find that they remember, love and ask to return on the more challenging hikes.         November 29: Mary McCarty I am grateful for HiB because before kids I never went for walks in the woods. Now we are out a couple of times a week. My children will grow up with it being part of their normal. I love that my childerbeasts will grow up into adults who spent hours and hours in nature.         November 30: Helle Thorup I am thankful for Hike it Baby because it gets me out in nature more and I have been able to connect with some really amazing, supporting women in this group. This is such an incredible community, and I love sharing it with other mamas because of the positivity difference it makes in my life both as a woman and a mother.         If you have enjoyed these final entries in our "30 Days of Thanks with Hike it Baby" series, please see previous weeks for more stories of our personal relationships with nature here, here, here and here.   During this season of thanksgiving, please take a moment to consider donating something this Giving Tuesday. It can be $5, $10, $50, $100. Whatever works for your family. It all helps and we appreciate every dime. Any donation you make today is 100% tax-deductible. And this year, as a special thank you, donations of $30 or more receive a one-of-a-kind Hike it Baby Sunday Afternoons kid's play hat.  [button link="http://donate.hikeitbaby.com/donations/2018-givingtuesday/" type="green"][fa type="gift"] Give now [/button]

Whether you’re new to hiking with your baby or toddler, or you’re looking for a new trail to explore, the Hike it Baby community is a valuable resource for finding family hiking trails around the country. In this article, we share three kid-friendly hikes in Pennsylvania to explore with babies and young children. Tom’s Run Creek to Tom’s Run Shelter, Pine Grove Furnace State Park (Gardners, PA) You don’t have to be a thru-hiker to enjoy the Appalachian Trail, but you can visit Pine Grove Furnace State Park to get the flavor of the AT experience. There’s a perfect toddler out-and-back trail that you can do as either 2 or 4 miles. The short version starts at Bunker Hill Road and about half a mile in, the trail meets up with the midway point of the AT. The terrain can be rocky in parts, so consider a carrier for smaller kids. If you consider making a weekend of it, get a campsite and explore other nearby trails like the Pine Grove Furnace hike (2.5 miles paved/gravel) from Fuller Lake to Laurel Lake. There is swimming at both Laurel and Fuller Lakes and canoeing/kayaking at Laurel if you make it there in the summer. There is also a spring to refill water bottles along the way. I love hiking on the AT and meeting thru-hikers, hearing their stories and imagining what it’s like to hike for 2,000+ miles. Hiking to Tom’s Run is a quick and easy taste of the AT. I love that it can be a day hike or an overnight backpacking excursion depending on how adventurous I feel. There’s just an energy in these woods that draws me in! You’re likely to meet other hikers, but it is not an overly trafficked area so you still get that backwoods feel. —Liz Knapp Tips: Visit the Appalachian Trail Museum, which sits near the midway point of the 2,186-mile trail. The museum pays tribute to trail pioneers like Early Shaffer, Grandma Gatewood, Gene Espy and Ed Garvey. Or stop by the Children’s Discovery Center and let your kiddos explore. Treat yourself to some ice cream at the general store as a reward to the kiddos. Battlefield Trails near Devil's Den (Gettysburg, PA) This 2-mile trail is a wide mostly flat trail through the Gettysburg battlefields and is part of the Gettysburg National Military Park. There is only one small stream (puddle?) crossing if it has been rainy. An all-terrain stroller would have no issues, and being that the trail is in an open area, there are tons of options to improvise. The trail goes through a grassy area giving great views of the historic battlefields, and there is the option to stop at several historical monuments. The path crosses park roads, so it's very easy to modify the route and distance to suit the needs of a group. A bonus, the Devil's Den rock areas is like a playground for kids! This is where you can park and jump on the path. There are large rocks, and a staircase to walk up (for bigger kids or supervised littles), and the lawn is decorated with dozens of smaller rocks for even the tiniest babes to crawl around on. There is a "cave" to explore, and lots of history to learn about the site. Just a short walk up the road (~.5m by road or a more challenging hiking trail) is Little Round Top, with an awesome stone lookout tower, more rocks, cannons, historical monuments, and informational plaques. All of this is within the limits of Gettysburg, Pa., and though you don't see much "city" on this trail, it is just a short drive from the downtown area and all of its small-town charm. Read more about the trail in our Family Trail Guide. Devil's Den and Little Round Top are two very historical landmarks from the battle of Gettysburg (Civil War). They are also easily accessed, and hiking around this part of the park is suitable for people of any ability. There is always something to learn while visiting, so leave time to explore the memorials or chat with a living history re-enactor while you're there! —Liz Knapp Tips: Park at Devil's Den and either take the hiking trails through the actual battlefields or if you prefer to push a stroller, walk up the road to Little Round Top which gives one of the best views looking down onto the battlefield. Leave extra time to climb the tower (or "castle" as the kids call it) and play on rocks. However, make sure kids don't stash any rocks in their pockets! Legends have it that it's bad luck to take rocks from Devil's Den! Wildwood (Harrisburg, PA) The Wildwood trail is paved/gravel and great for strollers, carriers and walking kiddos. There are various routes one can take to make the trail shorter (.25 - .5 mile) or longer (main loop is 3 miles). The trail is scenic, and kids have a blast looking for various wildlife (deer, turtles, chipmunks, ducks/geese, etc.). The nature center is also tons of fun and very educational. Wildwood also offers various programs and activities geared to outdoor/wildlife education. The boardwalk is one of our favorite places as it winds through the edges of the marshy lake and is a great place to look for wildlife. Wildwood has an abundance of birds, deer, frogs, turtles, squirrels, chipmunks and other critters and it's a popular game to count as many animals as you can find on the hike.  —Kendra Reeder Tips: Wildwood has a 3-mile loop, but there are shorter trails that join the main loop so you can make your hike as short or as long as you like! The main trails are great for mamas with younger kiddos as they are paved or crushed gravel and stroller-friendly. The center is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and trails are open from dawn to dusk. More Resources Hike it Baby calendar (or connect with the local branch) Hike it Baby Family Trail Guide Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Hike it Baby: 100 Awesome Outdoor Adventures with Babies and Toddlers – New Book by Hike it Baby Founder Shanti Hodges If you're traveling through Pennsylvania and need more information or recommendations on trails or would like to join a group hike, the nearest Hike it Baby branches are in Gettysburg and Harrisburg. Read more: 3 Amazing Tennessee trails for families with young children 3 Stunning South Carolina trails for families with young children 3 Gorgeous hikes in New York for young children Trail reviews and photos by Liz Knapp and Kendra Reeder. Featured photo by Liz Knapp from Battlefield Trails.

  Losing a child: it’s every outdoor parent's worst nightmare – something distracts you momentarily and you turn around to find your child nowhere in sight. Calls are unanswered. A hasty search of the immediate area yields no sign of them. You don’t know where they are – and chances are they don’t know where they are either. Does your child know what to do? They will if you take the time to prepare them for an emergency. As summer hiking season approaches, this is a great time to introduce or revisit this important topic with your family. First, lay the family’s ground rules for hiking safety. Write down your few most basic rules, then teach it to your children. Talk about it often so it’s familiar to everyone. Rules will vary among families, but here are mine: Kids must remain in sight at all times. Running ahead is okay only if they can look back and still see me. An adult always brings up the rear. Kids must stay on the trail at all times unless accompanied by an adult. Second, have a casual conversation with your kids about what they must do if they ever get lost. Start this conversation young – I started around age three with mine – and revisit the topic often. What you teach them to do will vary depending on the approach you use. There are books, videos and programs that teach these principles and can be very helpful if you are not sure what to say. All of them have the same basic principles. If lost, a child should: Stay put. Once they realize they are lost, they need to hug a tree, make a nest or whatever imagery you choose to use to convey the idea they need to stop walking, sit down and wait for help to arrive. Call out loudly and often from where they have chosen to wait. This can be “help!” but the key is to repeat it every few minutes as long as they are able. Because this can get tiring, some parents choose to outfit every child with a safety whistle that either goes around their neck on a lanyard or in a pocket before every hike. The sound of a whistle will carry much farther than a child’s voice. If they have one, let them practice blowing into it at home in the backyard to get comfortable with it.  Then instruct them if lost to blow on it every few minutes. Stay warm and dry while you wait for help to arrive. You can make sure your children always have a pack with extra layers on them when they hike, or stuff a plain old black garbage bag in a pocket before a hike for them. Precut a hole for their head and they can use it like a poncho as they sit on the ground. This can be practiced ahead of time at home, too. You can also show them how to cover up with leaves or pine needles to stay warm. Reiterate that it might feel like a really long time until help arrives, but assure them rescuers are coming. Preparation is key We can sometimes feel hesitant to bring up topics like this with our little ones because we don’t want to inadvertently cause fear of the outdoors. That is totally understandable! Just remember that how you approach the topic will be key – explain it as calmly as if you were explaining table manners. But also remember that by talking about it ahead of time, you will actually be reducing fear and anxiety for them if they ever do get lost because they will know what to do. As with all emergency preparation, the hope is that your kids will never have to actually use the skills you have taught them! But if they do, you will have given them tools to stay calm and act appropriately while, at the same time, making it easier for rescuers to find them. A few helpful resources: Lost But Found Safe and Sound (National Association of Park Rangers DVD and program that can be purchased at www.anpr.org ) Hug a Tree and Survive Program (National Association for Search and Rescue program found at http://www.nasar.org/hug_a_tree_program) Read more: 7 Tips for safety on trail with kids 4 Safety tips for hiking with toddlers Editor's Note: Hike it Baby is not an expert on what to do if your child gets lost on a trail. However, we think it is extremely important to prepare ourselves and our children. Please take appropriate measures when hiking with your children and consult a Park Ranger or the appropriate authorities in the event that your child does get lost. 

The Friday after Thanksgiving is generally a day most people hit the stores for deep discounted items to start off the holiday giving season. However, there are still many others who choose to opt out of shopping and instead spend the day in nature as part of the REI #OptOutside Campaign. But don’t just #OptOutside on Black Friday! With this list of themed hikes, your family can have outdoor adventures all year-round. Hikes for Any Time of the Year Rainbow hike: What kid (and adult) doesn’t love a scavenger hunt? A rainbow hike, plus many of the others listed here, is a good mix of exercise and finding things. Draw all the colors of the rainbow on your “map” and take the kids out to find objects from the entire spectrum. Measuring hikes: Grab a tape measure and take the kids out to learn more about the world around them. You can measure everything from blades of grass, to mushrooms, to more docile insects, and then some. Park & Play: Stop the car on long trips to get the entire family out to play. It’ll get the wiggles out and keep everybody calm until the next play break. Visit a new park each week: Take the kids on day trips all over your area, visiting a new park to hike or take a stroll each week. Photo scavenger hike: Give the kids a list and a digital (or disposable) camera. Have them take pictures of each item they find. If you have a large group, you can make it a competition to see who finds everything first. Geocaching: Hide “caches” around the area you plan to hike and write down the coordinates for each container. Use your GPS to find each one! Teddy bear hunt: Hide teddy bears along your hiking trail in advance. Then take the kids out to go “bear hunting!” I've done it with secondhand bears that were donated, as well as new bears I got for about $1 each wholesale. – Nicholl Summers Fall Hikes Pumpkin hunt hike: Carve your pumpkins and leave them lit along the trail for an after-dark hike your kids will always remember. Ugly sweater theme hike: Put on the ugliest sweaters you can find (thrift stores are great for this) and go hiking on a cool fall day. Full moon frenzy: When the moon is full, take the kids out for a light-of-the-moon hike. Scary stories make it all the better. Costume stroll: Up the spooky factor by adding costumes to your pumpkin hike! Winter Hikes Candy cane hike: Hide candy canes in the woods before your hike and take the kids out for a fun time finding these festive treats. Heart hunt hike: Share the love on Valentine’s Day by decorating the woods with colorful hearts. Your kids will cherish the memory. Make bird feeders: Gather fallen pine cones around your yard or neighborhood and make bird feeders with them. Roll them in peanut butter then cover with bird seeds. On your next hike, place them in the trees for the birds! Spring Hikes Signs of spring: A sign of spring hike is an excellent way to mindfully hike when out with little ones. Every time they spot something that’s spring-specific, take a picture of it. Spring flower hunt: Make a map of common spring flowers, or simply go looking for the blossoms. Your kids will have a lot of fun finding and learning about each one. Egg hunt: Just like an Easter egg hunt, hide colorful plastic eggs filled with surprises on the trail beforehand. Have the kids bring their own bags or baskets to collect the eggs. Clean-up hike: Pick a dry day in the spring to go out and clean up the trails. It's not only fun, but helpful for everyone who hikes to do their part to clean the earth! Pick up branches and other debris and move them off the trail. May the 4th Be With You stroll: Dress up like the characters from Star Wars and go on a stroll with your entire family – or multiple families! Get the whole neighborhood involved. Plant something: Teach your kids the value of nature, not only by hiking, but also by planting something. If you have your own woods or large property, perhaps plant trees, flowers or bushes with your kids along your walking path. Pot of gold hike: Hide a “pot of gold” out on the trail filled with goodies! Give the kids clues to find it and watch them have a blast on the hunt. I did a “pot of gold” hike for St. Patty’s Day last year. It was snowy, [so] I mixed up water and green food dye and dripped it in the snow, and it led to a pot of gold with lollipops. – Missy Ele Summer Hikes Story book hike: Take a children’s book apart and laminate the pages. Stick the pages on the ground or on trees (in a way that won’t harm the tree), and let the kids take a walk through the story. Bubble hikes: Who doesn’t like bubbles? Get the kids together and create a magical walk in the woods. Pajama hike: Have the kids put on their jammies and take them out for a fun hike with one of the most popular kids books out there.  We did a pajama hike, read "Llama Llama Red Pajama" and everyone wore their jammies! – Michelle Alena Bullar  Read More: A is for Alphabet Themed Hikes Spring Themed Hike Ideas Tamara Johnson graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2007 with a BFA in photography and a minor in creative non-fiction. After spending nearly a decade writing and editing for the photo giant B&H Photo, Tamara went into business for herself as a freelancer. When she's not in the city, she loves to explore the Adirondack Mountains. Hiking/walking, kayaking, yoga and meditating are just a few of the things Tamara enjoys during non-working hours. She also loves dogs and hopes to have a few someday.