Kids on the Trail!

A Challenge to Encourage Hiking With Our Children

Tips for Hiking with Kids
Report Form & Patch

Challenge yourself, challenge the kids in your life, and get to know the Adirondacks better

The Adirondack Park offers many hikes perfectly suited to introducing children to the variety of nature's splendors. From easy walks along mountain streams to more demanding trails, hiking can play an important role in children's formative years. Parents as well as other relatives and family friends can provide hiking opportunities. Kids respond readily to the wonders of nature; make sure they see the real thing!

The Kids on the Trail Challenge features the 62 hikes and walks described in Kids on the Trail! Hiking with Children in the Adirondacks by Rose Rivezzi and David Trithart. Published by the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK), the book is available in bookstores or from ADK (see below). (Please note: Because access to Cathead Mountain has been closed off, a hike to Cod Pond has been substituted in later printings of the book. Please do not attempt Cathead mountain.)

Originally shceduled to end in December 2003, the Challenge has been extended indefinitely. Challenge participants come from all across New York State and from many other states and Canadian provinces. Here are a few of their comments:

"I am writing to let you know that our family has completed "The Challenge" and we couldn't have enjoyed oursleves more. What a terrific way to get to know and love the Adirondacks. Each hike was a treasure and some even had some extra bonuses. We saw a black bear on Black Bear Mountain, swam in Crane's Pond on Crane Mountain, filled ourselves with blueberries atop Cathead Mountain, crept through the cave-lie crevices atop Pitchoff, and had our breath swept away by Rocky Falls. the summer of '98 will go down as one of the best we've ever had". Roberta Nahill

"We wanted to explore some new areas, and this was a good guide to know what would be suitable for children". Brian Murphy

"The Challenge may have ended but we look forward to visiting other places on the list that we didn't go to. Thank you Laurentian Chapter for providing this challenge. It was a most rewarding experience for us all." Michael and Kim Holz

"Part of the reason for this letter is to tell you that my mother, Mary Neumann, who will be 77 years old this month, accompanied us on many of the hikes. She is also looking forward to more hiking, including a planned trip to Black Mountain this fall". Jim Neumann

"This Challenge is a great way to get kids involved - it definitely motivated my daughter to do all the hikes which resulted in terrific experiences and great memboreis for both of us." Stephaie Schiavoni

"We are all home schooling our kids so we decided to do this Challenge all together with our kids (5 years old up to 15 years old). I send to you a picture of our group. Four moms with 14 kids! Thanks to the dads who let us do these day trips. Thanks also to all of you for this wonderful challenge". Sylvia Chenier

"We loved getting into areas of the Adirondacks that we probably would not have gone to if not for the challenge and the great book "Kids ont he Trail". You should continue this challenge for years to come." Ganette Marino

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How to Keep the Hikes Enjoyable:

  • BEFORE
    • - Plan a hike with your children's abilities in mind
    • - Let children know what to expect from the hike
    • - Plan the hike as part of a trip or in conjunction with another activity
  • DURING
    • - Give food and drink before your children experience energy lows or real thirst
    • - Take frequent rests
    • - Give lots of encouragement and praise efforts
    • - Make up games along the way; sing songs; tell stories
    • - Offer rewards and incentives
    • - Remember children may derive pleasure in ways different from adults
  • AFTER
    • - Take pictures and reminisce about favorite outings; remember the good points
    • - Review the hike with a map before you; use colored pencils or markers to mark the trail; display the map
    • - Create a list of hikes with dates and comments about special experiences or features
Safety Reminders
  • - Hike within your capabilities
  • - Turn back short of your goal when necessary
  • - Allow enough time to hike
  • - Take plenty of water to drink
  • - Tell someone where you're going
  • - Sign in at the trail register
  • - Dress in layers; anticipate changing conditions
  • - Wear synthetic or wool fabrics
  • - Keep to the trail
  • - Use common sense

The above excerpted from Kids on the Trail!

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The Kids on the Trail Patch

You do not need to be a member of the Adirondack Mountain Club to take part in this challenge. If you do wish to join, ADK chapters often plan fun activities to help you learn more about nature, the protection of our environment, and outdoor skills.

To join the Club or purchase Kids on the Trail! call: 1-800-395-8080 (8:30 am-4:30 pm, M-F) or write:

Adirondack Mountain Club
814 Goggins Road
Lake George, New York 12845-4117

To receive a patch, children must complete at least two hikes from each section of the Adirondacks for a total of 16 hikes. Print the Kids on the Trail Challenge Report Form, circle the hikes completed and add any comments you wish to make, including the dates of hikes. Each hiker should complete a form with his/her comments (the latter can be dictated). Adults may partake in the Challenge as long as children are along on each of the hikes.
Return completed form to:

Kids! Challenge
c/o David Trithart and Rose Rivezzi
11 Barclay St.
Potsdam, New York 13676

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Questions to:
David Trithart/Rose Rivezzi
11 Barclay St.
Potsdam, N.Y. 13676
315-265-8117