It’s Spring – Finally!

After enduring one of the worst winters we’ve seen in quite a while, it was a GREAT pleasure last week to turn the 2014 calendar page to the first day of Spring.

As eager as many of us are to embrace those first warm Spring moments by pulling out the tent and hiking shoes, there are some things we ought to think about before our Scouts and other young people hit the trail. Here are some thoughtful precautions suggested by The Wilderness Society:

Make the most of your outdoor adventures

• Start small. Most kids aren’t ready to take on a 10-miler their first hike. Set reasonable goals for first trips, then gradually build up to longer trips.
• Expect to take frequent snack and rest breaks.
• Let kids satisfy their natural curiosity. Give them time to stop and explore nature. If your child would rather explore the banks of stream than hike to the next peak, then consider that the experience for the day. There will always be a next time.
• Create games that kids can play on the trail or at the camp site. For example, play “I Spy” for wildflowers, or tree species.
• Demonstrate and teach good land stewardship on every outing.

Plan for safety

• Always teach children fundamental safety tips before heading out into nature. This includes never separating from the group and storing food properly when camping.
• Bring safety whistles for each child and teach them to use them in emergencies.
• As you head out onto the trail, place children in the middle of your hiking group, never at the back of the line where they can meander off-trail without being noticed.
• Teach children what poison oak, poison ivy and other toxic plants look like. Make sure they know not to touch questionable plants.

Another great resource more specific to Scouting is The Guide to Safe Scouting, which offers many suggestions that are applicable to outdoor adventures for all young people and explains our commitment to safety.

How are you preparing for a safe and rewarding Spring season for the young people you work with? Do you have a set of guidelines that your participants follow? Let us know what works best for you!

Thanks, Wayne