Parent Perspectives

WTA gives good advice on how to nurture outdoorsy kids because we get tips from the experts—parents! Read tips from the pros.

WTA gives good advice on how to nurture outdoorsy kids because we get tips from the experts—parents! Below is advice from parents in our community, including some staffers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tips for Memorable Camping with Kids

There’s no need to make your first few camping trips with your family multi-day extravaganzas. Instead, start with something simple, find your camping rhythm and enjoy the small break from your daily routine. Youth educator and mom Hilary L. Benson shared a few tips to help you get out with your family this camping season.

Two Kids, Three Months, 100 Miles of Backpacking: Part II

Jul 28, 2015

Lorelei Felchlin is an adventurous spirit, and she's fostering that same spirit in her kids by getting them outdoors as much as possible. Joey (9), Elissa (7), and Vivian (1) spend their time hiking, backpacking, rock climbing and caving, and now they have set a goal to backpack 100 miles this summer. WTA caught up with her to see how the project is going.

Two Kids, Three Months, 100 Miles of Backpacking

Jun 26, 2015

Trail Work as Quality Family Time

May 20, 2015

Volunteering with your kids on trail can be a very rewarding experience. It instills in them a sense of responsibility, and helps them take pride in a job well done. WTA Board member Joe Gregg periodically volunteers with his kids and offered a few words of wisdom about the value of getting young ones into volunteering at a young age.

Include Your Kids on Outdoor Adventures

Apr 01, 2015

Outdoor enthusiast and photographer Gabe Grayum firmly believes in the importance of immersing kids in the wild, and the ability of young hikers to tag along on grown-up adventures. Read his advice on how to include them, and check out WTA's family hiking resources, including advice from some of our trip reporters extrordinaire on how to adventure with your young ones.