News for Families

Get the latest advice for hiking with kids, opportunities for getting out with your family, and hear from family experts in the WTA community.

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With WTA Support, Community Partners Get Youth Outside

Jun 23, 2017

This spring, our youth program worked with more than 15 organizations to bring hundreds of kids, tweens and teens out for at least one day of service. Over the past few months, WTA has been honored to partner with such a diverse range of schools and youth groups across the state.

Youth Involvement Leads to Improved Trail Resources

Jul 24, 2017

Ingrid Phillips, an avid hiker, backpacker, and sea kayaker, is a sophomore at Stanwood high school, and member of WTA’s 2016-2017 Youth Ambassador cohort. This winter, she worked with an elementary school class to improve trail visibility on Camano Island.

Father's Day: Life Lessons from Time on the Trail with Dad

Jun 16, 2017

From how to start a fire to developing a sense of wonder, outdoor fathers have a lot to give.

Fourth-Graders: Get into Your Park

Jun 06, 2017

Now in its third year, the Every Kid in a Park program continues to introduce children to America's public lands, encourage them to connect with nature and discover the magic of being outdoors.

Recipes and Tips for Allergic Hikers

Jun 06, 2017

Got an allergy-prone little one? You'll want to read Sarah Kirkconnell's tips and recipes for keeping them healthy and happy on trail.

Bring on the Bugs: A Key to Identifying 10 Common Washington Insects

May 25, 2017

Although they are small, insects control much of our natural environment! They pollinate flowers, decompose organic material into soil, and provide food to many other species. The next time you and your family are out hiking, try to spot one of these ten common Washington insects.

Adventure: Mothers Make It Happen

May 12, 2017

Mothers (grandmothers, aunts and cousins) have opened the doors for so many of us to the outdoors. In honor of Mother's Day, we bring you four stories of mothers leading the charge on trails.

Hiking With Kids: It's All About the Cupcakes

May 12, 2017

A hiking-obsessed mom gets her reluctant 6-year-old out on trail. And, amazingly, everyone has fun.

Build Strong Family Bonds While Giving Back to Trails

May 09, 2017

On a recent rainy weekend, a group of WTA volunteers ranging in age from 9 to 60+ came together for a common goal: to give back to trails. We wanted to know what inspired them to spend a cold and wet Saturday digging in the dirt.

Five Ways to Celebrate National Park Week with Your Family

Apr 09, 2017

National Park Week is April 15 - 23. Plan fun adventures with your family starting with these five suggestions.

With WTA's Help, Youth Ambassadors Share Their Love for Trails

Mar 04, 2017

Through WTA's Youth Ambassador Program, young people who love to hike and volunteer gain valuable skills and share their love for trails

10 Years of Youth Engagement

Apr 12, 2017

Thanks to our members and donors, over the past 10 years, WTA’s youth engagement has grown into a comprehensive program serving thousands of students. But that’s not all. It’s also fostering the next generation of environmental advocates.

Advice From a Pro: Keep Your Kids (and Yourself) Comfortable on Trail

Feb 07, 2017

Käryn Gaffney, Branch Ambassador for the Seattle chapter of Hike It Baby, shares what sorts of tips or gear she packs when she hits the trail with her two-year-old.

New Guidebook Series, Close to Home

Feb 02, 2017

A new set of guidebooks and a young son have given guidebook author Craig Romano a fresh perspective.

Youth Ambassador Spotlight: Julianna Hoza

Feb 03, 2017

Learn how this Youth Ambassador has been making big waves in her local hiking community.

Upcycle DIY: Plastic Bag to Stuff Sack

Dec 06, 2016

Try this fun project with your kids! Use cracker, cereal, or candy bags and some old shoelaces to create bags that are great for hiking excursions.

Alumni Survey: Collecting a Decade of Memories from Youth Volunteer Vacations

Dec 19, 2016

To commemorate these last ten years, we are looking for volunteers who participated on a youth volunteer vacation from 2007-2016 to share their experience with us.

Harvest Your Own Christmas Tree in the National Forest

Dec 07, 2017

Head to a National Forest this season to for your very own Christmas tree. Available to cut with a permit from now until December 24, harvesting Christmas trees is a unique way to experience your public lands.

WTA's Krista Dooley Recognized at Washington State Trails Conference

Nov 01, 2016

Krista Dooley, Washington Trails Association’s youth programs director, who recently received the Youth Advocacy Award from the Washington State Trails Coalition.

Every Kid in a Park Launches for 2017

Oct 20, 2016

Every Kid in a Park is launching for its second year -- get your fourth grader his or her free federal lands pass now!

The Wonderland Trail: Mission Accomplished

Sep 29, 2016

After 10 years, a family of five achieves their goal of completing Mount Rainier’s Wonderland Trail together.

A Family Quest to the Hike 7 Trails Built by WTA in the Southwest

Sep 15, 2016

Ryan Ojerio, WTA's Southwest Regional Manager, set out with his kids to hike the 7 new trails built by WTA volunteers in one month. Here's their story.

New Youth Volunteer Vacation Trip! Pacific Crest Trail at Goodwin Meadows August 20-27

Jul 21, 2016

Finish your summer off right with a week in the beautiful William O. Douglas Wilderness. WTA has added an incredible late summer hiking, backpacking and trail maintenance opportunity to work on the Pacific Crest Trail. This trip is open to teens ages 15 to 18 with some previous trail maintenance experience.

Christina Benton: Mama on a Mission

Jun 08, 2016

Last winter, Christina Benton took to the road with her three kids, for a 64-day trek across the country. Her goal: to share America's National Parks with her children, and to raise awareness about the park service's lack of visitors who look like her family.

Hiking with a New Baby

Jun 09, 2016

Youth Programs Director Krista Dooley and her husband recently welcomed a new baby. She shares what it was like to recuperate from birth, and how hiking has changed for her and her husband now that they're sharing the trail with a third little hiker.

Get Your Kid in a Park This Summer

Jun 08, 2016

Maximize your Every Kid in a Park pass with these starter ideas.

Raising Tomorrow's Trail Stewards

Apr 11, 2016

The Homeschool Stewardship Squad allows kids and parents to volunteer, play and learn together outside. Heidi Watters organized the squad in 2011, and we asked her some history and tips for encouraging your own little ones.

Outdoor Adventures for Girls: Sign Up for a Summer Volunteer Vacation

Mar 31, 2016

Fourth Graders: Get Your Free Christmas Trees!

Dec 07, 2015

Explore your public lands in all their winter glory--harvest your own Christmas tree! Plus, through the Every Kid in a Park initiative, fourth graders can get a free permit this year.

Youth Ambassador Program Doubles in 2015

Dec 11, 2015

Twenty-four incredible students, WTA's Youth Ambassadors, recently spent a weekend at a leadership summit preparing to become the youth voices of WTA in the year ahead.