Welcome guest blogger Kara DiCamillo!
Since I was 10 years old my father and I have been hiking the Presidential Mountain Range in New Hampshire every summer. We’ve been through hail, hurricanes and cold temperatures, yet each year we do it again, always hoping we will have beautiful weather. More than 20 years later, I guess you could call it a tradition! And I’ll always share our days and nights spent under the stars as a memory with my dad.
Kara DiCamillo is my sister and has been a writer for TreeHugger since 2005. She lives in the "City by the Sea", Newport, RI, and loves it because of all the outdoor activities available to enjoy. Beyond the moat that surrounds her island home, Kara has backpacked Mt. Washington in New Hampshire to many times to count and hopes her next adventure will be to ski the gnarly Tuckerman's Ravine. Kara is a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club and is a graduate of the Colorado Outward Bound School. In real life, she is a public relations director who'd just plain like to see the world a greener place. In her community, Kara is is a member of Newport's Energy and Environment Commission and is a volunteer for the Norman Bird Sanctuary. I thought you would enjoy reading about her experience hiking the famed Appalachian Trail with children because she has been doing it since she was a kid. Welcome Kara!
Since I was 10 years old my father and I have been hiking the Presidential Mountain Range in New Hampshire every summer. We’ve been through hail, hurricanes and cold temperatures, yet each year we do it again, always hoping we will have beautiful weather. More than 20 years later, I guess you could call it a tradition! And I’ll always share our days and nights spent under the stars as a memory with my dad.
We stay in what’s known as the Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC) High Huts, eight mountain huts that provide an amazing and unique backcountry experience for novice to experienced hikers and everyone in between. The hut system has been around for more than 100 years, and each is a day’s hike apart. The AMC Huts offer food, shelter and, of course, a spectacular location, either above treeline, near mountain lakes or by waterfalls. But what’s also of note is that the AMC Huts are a great destination for families. They offer a range of adventures and activities for kids of all ages, whether it's a child's first hike or a summer challenge for a teen.
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| AMC's Greenleaf Hut |
The huts are the ultimate learning experience. With composting toilets, electricity that runs on wind, sun, and propane, food composting, and a pack-in-pack-out policy, there’s tons of things your young one can learn about nature. Each evening, the hut “Croo” (college-aged students that cook, clean and run the huts each year) does a nature program after dinner. The Croo encourages visitors to learn about the plant and animal life that surrounds the hut, and what we can all do to help conserve nature.
AMC believes that everyone should get out and enjoy our natural world, especially at a young age. Their Junior Naturalist Program teaches young hikers about their environment and how to conserve it. Each hut provides a Junior Naturalist Activity Book, which gets kids started with plenty of ideas and fun activities. Children between the ages of 5-12 are encouraged to complete the activities and are awarded a certificate and a patch to welcome them as a Junior Naturalist. From observing the clouds and weather, to learning the importance of leaves and understanding what to wear in the outdoors, your children will have plenty to do while parents relax and enjoy the view.
But perhaps the most important thing I’ve learned over the years is to appreciate nature. As I hike along the trails and look out over the peaks, I know it’s an experience I am lucky to have. I describe this to friends, but it’s hard to understand unless you've done it. I often wonder if my dad knows what a positive and powerful experience it’s been for me. But I’m sure when he glances over and sees me looking out at Mt. Washington or looking closely at a unique flower, he knows. And I’m sure he’s profoundly proud of me and pleased that he pushed me to do it so long ago.
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| AMC's Junior Naturalist Activity Book |
There’s tons of information on AMC’s website in regards to family programs. With tips, trips ideas, and gear advice, they offer everything to get your youngster started in the outdoors with AMC. And if you need extra motivation, AMC is offering a special deal for fall foliage season - stay two nights and get the third free!
If you have ever hiked the trail or stayed in the huts, it would be great to hear from you. Which are your favorite hikes, huts? Do you have any tips for getting kids started? Please share your experiences!
Wow, this really sounds like a great program! NH is quite aways from me in VA, but I'd love to plan a trip up there with my 7-yr-old son to takle this trail and the Jr naturalist program! Thansk for the post and the information!
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