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 Keep trail etiquette points for children as simple as possible, and explain to your child why each etiquette point is important.
Some of the most important etiquette points to teach your child:
- Hike quietly. It's almost impossible for a child to hike silently, but teaching your child to use a lower voice outside, and explaining that they are far more likely to encounter wildlife that way- is a good first lesson.
- Stay away from wild animals. Teach your child the dangers of approaching wild animals, from deer to birds to bears.
- Approach dogs cautiously. Our hiking group is dog friendly. Teach your child that these dogs are strangers, and that children should always, always ask permission of the dog owner before approaching a dog.
- Don't eat wild things. We encounter all sorts of potentially yummy- and poisonous- edibles on the trail. Berries, plants, and mushrooms in particular can be tempting to little ones, and while some of them are safe to eat, if you aren't sure, play it safe and make them all off-limits.
- Yield the trail. Teach your children to automatically yeild the trail by moving to their right. I tell my kids to "skinny up and move right." Teach yourself when you need to yield so that you can direct your child accordingly.
- No littering! Children are sometimes careless, and it's up to you as the parent to teach them not to litter- not even food peelings.
Quite frankly, the most important way to teach your children proper trail etiquette is to practice it!
This article © Alecia J. Rivas and PNWLH. Please give credit when using this article.
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