I love hiking. I think I've liked it ever since I was a little girl in Trinidad and stomped thorough the bush on adventures with my cousin Terry. We were really close and would go on what seemed like adventures on our extended families' properties that stretched for acres and acres. We would 'go missing' for hours and hours, eat what we picked off of trees, discover 'stuff', make our own paths and just... well... have fun becoming exhausted.
This freedom to roam the land led to me being who I am, at least in part. I know that there are a few life-long values that I got out of it -- a sense of adventure, a bit of fearlessness, a love of gardening -- and I would love that for Lil Chica, too. So, now, I present to you, what I think are the 'Top Ten Reasons to Hike with your Young'uns':
1. It's cheaper than an amusement park. All you need is a carrier and good hiking boots for you. Once your little one starts to hike with you, they'll need some walking shoes (inexpensive ones as they'll likely grow out of them before they wear them out). More long-lasting gear comes later.
2. They learn to love the outdoors -- and to depend on it for life, love and entertainment. My hope is that L'il Chica's first go-to spot for a good time will be the forest, the hills, and anywhere else that nature hails.
3. They can learn about loving nature to the extent that they will fight to keep it healthy.
4. They will develop strong muscles, a naturally fit body, and a super-fit mind.
5. They will learn to create their own entertainment as opposed to waiting to be entertained by an Ipod or something on a rectangular screen (like the one I am looking at as I type this).
6. You will learn to slow down and appreciate once more the child in you -- bend down at your child's level and play in the leaves, pick dandelions, or turn over rocks to look for worms.
7. More fresh air and the bumpity bumps in a carrier have always meant a calm temper and an extra nap. Careful with later afternoon hikes, though; a later nap always meant a later sleep come night time, staring sleepily at the child who wants to play and play and play ... and it's 10:30 p.m.
8. You get a good workout -- with a carrier, it's cardio and weights at the same time.
9. They'll hopefully end up liking hiking as much as you do. Think of the umpteen years of hiking together and loving it together.
10. They can develop a sense of adventure and independence as they roam through the bush -- something that too few people do nowadays.
There are, for sure, tens of more reasons to hike with your children. Feel free to share your ideas here.
This freedom to roam the land led to me being who I am, at least in part. I know that there are a few life-long values that I got out of it -- a sense of adventure, a bit of fearlessness, a love of gardening -- and I would love that for Lil Chica, too. So, now, I present to you, what I think are the 'Top Ten Reasons to Hike with your Young'uns':
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| Checking out pebbles at Rivière-des-Prairies near Montreal |
2. They learn to love the outdoors -- and to depend on it for life, love and entertainment. My hope is that L'il Chica's first go-to spot for a good time will be the forest, the hills, and anywhere else that nature hails.
3. They can learn about loving nature to the extent that they will fight to keep it healthy.
4. They will develop strong muscles, a naturally fit body, and a super-fit mind.
5. They will learn to create their own entertainment as opposed to waiting to be entertained by an Ipod or something on a rectangular screen (like the one I am looking at as I type this).
6. You will learn to slow down and appreciate once more the child in you -- bend down at your child's level and play in the leaves, pick dandelions, or turn over rocks to look for worms.
7. More fresh air and the bumpity bumps in a carrier have always meant a calm temper and an extra nap. Careful with later afternoon hikes, though; a later nap always meant a later sleep come night time, staring sleepily at the child who wants to play and play and play ... and it's 10:30 p.m.
8. You get a good workout -- with a carrier, it's cardio and weights at the same time.
9. They'll hopefully end up liking hiking as much as you do. Think of the umpteen years of hiking together and loving it together.
10. They can develop a sense of adventure and independence as they roam through the bush -- something that too few people do nowadays.
There are, for sure, tens of more reasons to hike with your children. Feel free to share your ideas here.
Hiking is a very natural activity...something our hunter gatherer ancestors have done for centuries..something our bodies and minds have evolved and are designed to do..which explains why it is so relaxing and enjoyable to be out in nature...its one way of connecting with our primal natural self...
ReplyDeleteHunter gatherer, eh? So says the vegetarian :-)
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