{"id":12868,"date":"2016-07-28T19:07:15","date_gmt":"2016-07-28T23:07:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/?p=12868"},"modified":"2016-07-28T19:07:15","modified_gmt":"2016-07-28T23:07:15","slug":"hiking-with-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/archives\/12868","title":{"rendered":"Hiking with Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"

So this year’s birthday gifts to the small people in my life were hiking backpacks.<\/p>\n

So what do you need for a hiking backpack? <\/p>\n

First a foremost, a good backpack: 4-6<\/a>, 7-9<\/a> (Smaller is better, since it will keep them from making it too heavy to carry comfortably.)
\nAt least one water<\/a> bottle<\/a>
\nNaturalist notebook<\/a> with pencil and a sharpie (use a sharpie to mark a ruler on the inside cover so Things Can Be Measured)
\nEmergency whistle<\/a>
\nLip balm<\/a>
\nFlashlight<\/a>
\nMagnifying glass (simple<\/a>, more complex<\/a>)
\nCompass (simpler<\/a>, nicer<\/a>)
\nA bandana or a pack towel<\/a>
\nTrail mix<\/a> or dried fruit<\/a> (and chocolate milk<\/a> and a pepperoni roll<\/a> for a longer hike)
\nA first aid kit<\/a>
\nUsed ziploc bags for your trash (or trash you find on the trail)
\nPerhaps a pair of binoculars<\/a>, or a pocket knife<\/a> or matches<\/a>, or a shovel<\/a>, or a thermometer<\/a>
\nMaps of your trails (Blackwater Falls<\/a>, Canaan Valley<\/a>)<\/p>\n

And of course, nature books:
\nTrees, Leaves & Bark<\/a>
\nWildflowers, Blooms & Blossoms<\/a>
\nBerries, Nuts, And Seeds<\/a>
\nCaterpillars, Bugs and Butterflies<\/a>
\nBirds, Nests & Eggs<\/a>
\nTracks, Scats and Signs<\/a><\/p>\n

Then you go have adventures!<\/p>\n

\"Blackwater<\/a>