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At the Summit:
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Tots (and Children of All Ages) in Tents
The MacFadyen family enjoying the outdoors.
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by Karina Kinik
"How much longer?" That telltale question is probably the last thing nature-loving parents want to hear from their kids, especially when their family of five has committed to an arduous 65-mile hike in Tasmania or a kayaking trip on the Yukon River. But what if the roles are switched and the adults are the ones asking because they've allowed their children to be the navigators? Entrusting kids with that kind of responsibility, said Mike MacFadyen and Sharon Vaissiere, is just one way of engaging them on wilderness trips -- and creating experiences that will be gifts for a lifetime. This couple from Anchorage, Alaska, has been leading family trips for the Sierra Club's National Outings Program for the past eight years, and MacFadyen has recently started organizing international treks to Bhutan and Chile. Having introduced their own children to the outdoors at an early age (as young as six months!), they recognize the importance of seeing the natural world through kids' eyes. Their youngest daughter, Kellen, testified to the intense family bonding she's experienced on their adventures, not to mention the patience she's developed from "spending countless hours cramped in a kayak." To minimize tension that might arise in such situations, Kellen offered helpful tips on keeping youngsters happy, including: accept that all kids make mistakes and try to put a positive spin on mishaps, let them be independent, and realize that children get scared easily. Balancing a respect for kids' limits with a desire to develop their wilderness skills, Vassiere and MacFadyen provided additional practical, and creative, advice. Things like getting children involved in the pre-trip planning, considering various modes of travel, participating in found-object art projects, and providing "luxury" at the end of a camping excursion by spending the night in a nice hotel. Perhaps the most useful suggestion was knowing when to compromise -- even if it means bribing a four-year-old with a box of licorice. By engaging kids' hearts and minds, parents will help ensure that they return from their adventures impassioned and, most important, committed to working for conservation in the long-term. If you have more ideas or want to lead a family trip for the Club, e-mail macf@gci.net. -- 09/10/2005 Sat |
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