Tramping With Children
INTRODUCTION
It’s fun and rewarding to share outdoor experiences with young people, especially in New Zealand’s beautiful bush. The Department of Conservation (DOC) manages around one third of New Zealand’s land area and many young people will have their first wilderness experience in a national park or one of the many specially protected areas. Here we will offer practical advice on taking children (youngsters and teenagers) outdoors and a guide to help them and their adult companions get maximum enjoyment!
CATERING AND CLOTHES
• Keep them fed.
Young people need more frequent top-up snacks and drinks than adults do. A good guide is the ‘grizzle’ factor, if a child claims hunger before a planned stop, have a break and give them a snack to boost their energy. Muesli bars, chocolate and barley sugars are suggestions. A few surprise treats can help flagging spirits.
• Keep them watered.
Not all water is safe to drink. Make sure you take plenty of fluid and treat collected water by boiling or filtering.
• Keep them warm.
Wear bright clothing. Layers of clothing are best; we recommend wool, polypropylene or polar fleece, as cotton offers no warmth, especially when wet. Cotton socks absorb moisture and can cause blisters. Depending on where you’re going, make sure everyone has a sun hat, warm hat and mittens, wind and waterproof jacket and eye protection.
• Keep them comfortable.
Footwear needs to be comfortable and appropriate to the terrain. Sneakers don’t offer much ankle support or cushioning over rough ground, sturdy well-fitting boots are better.
COMMON SENSE AND SAFETY
• Keep them safe
Bush, forest and backcountry places can be risky. It’s impossible to fence off every steep drop-off, cliff, water hazard and river. Learning to manage these risks is part of being outdoors and getting wet feet may be part of the experience. Common sense is the key. Plan trips carefully, check weather reports and be flexible. Be prepared to turn back. Adult companions must be responsible for the young people with them.
• Keep them in sight.
Youngsters love to run ahead to make the first discovery, to hide and pounce on unsuspecting adults or arrive before anyone else. This is a heap of fun but if you don’t know what’s around the corner, it can be dangerous. Stay in a group; adults must always be able to see the children in their care, and tell the kids to keep an adult in sight. Small children do not comprehend the risks of a fall. Wherever there is the potential for children to fall (off a bridge, a track, into water) hold their hand or supervise them closely.
• Tell them what to do.
Make sure children know what to do if they get lost: tell them to stop, stay where they are and to make lots of noise or use a whistle to attract attention. It’s a good idea to look behind on the way to a destination because landmarks often look different on the return journey. Pick out unusual features to recognize on the way home. Show older children how to use a map and compass.
BACKPACKS AND BABIES
They don’t need to be overloaded but it’s a good idea to get children used to carrying a pack, even if it only contains a favorite toy and drink. Make sure the pack is comfortable and if they get tired, offer to take it for a while - it may prevent you having to carry them later.
• Keep checking.
If you’re carrying a baby or toddler in a backpack or pushing them in a buggy, make frequent checks to ensure their hands, feet and head remain warm – while you may feel warm, the child could be quite a lot colder. It is also important to make sure they are protected from the sun. Watch out too for low branches and other head-height hazards.
HOW FAR CAN WE GO?
Length of walk, terrain, temperature, individual fitness and health affect most people’s ability to last the distance.
• Keep it realistic.
Initially it may be a good idea to keep trips short to build up stamina and interest. If you’re feeling weary, it’s likely that a child will be even more tired. Make frequent stops and do fun activities along the way. Have realistic expectations and give plenty of praise for their accomplishments.
• Keep to the speed limit.
Travel to the speed of the slowest member of your group. Give fast walkers tasks to slow them down or put them at the back of the group. The only time when dawdling can be dangerous is if bad weather is approaching and you need to get to shelter.
• Keep them interested.
Boredom is another factor to consider with children; a quiet forest or stunning view may not appeal to an eight-year-old in the same way as it does to you! Remember that there’s plenty of time for discovery and if children don’t enjoy the outdoors in the beginning by pushing them you could put them off forever.
GOING TO THE TOILET
DOC provides basic toilet systems in many of the areas it manages, but if you’re caught short please go as far away as possible from any water and tracks. If necessary dig a shallow hole and bury waste. Take all disposable nappies and other rubbish home.
CARING FOR KIDS - WHOSE JOB?
When visiting the outdoors, parents and adult caregivers are responsible at all times for the welfare and safety of all children in their care.
• Facilities.
The Department is responsible for providing safe facilities and services such as huts, bridges and information, and makes every effort to maintain them to a very high standard. We welcome your comments: contact your local DOC office with feedback.
