How to stay fresh and clean on trail

Have you heard about the 10 Minute Walk Initiative?! No? Well, if you think that increasing access to parks and green spaces can lead to better overall physical and mental health, especially during a health crisis, or that your overall quality of life would improve with close access to green space, then you’re already on board with this new program. Photo by Monique Vargas 10 Minute Walk Initiative The 10 Minute Walk Initiative aims to “...ensure that everyone in your city has safe, easy access to a quality park within a 10-minute walk of home by 2050.” That’s not just their mission for already more green-friendly places in the nation like California or Colorado, that’s their promise for the WHOLE COUNTRY. Check out their website to see if your mayor and your city are taking part and if you don’t see their name, do what I did and sign up to stay on top of how to get involved. Maybe you can even convince your mayor to take part. If you’re reading this you are already part of the growing Hike it Baby community and you know that a cornerstone of their mission is to Leave No Family Behind. If you’re changing a diaper, feeding your kid, having a meltdown (you or your kid!), if you can’t do the whole hike or if it’s your first hike we won’t leave you behind! This extends to race, sexual orientation, gender, disabilities, and language. This is of course still our mission but we have realized that many families are being left behind by default because they do not have access. This is unacceptable. We need to do better and that’s why Hike it Baby wholeheartedly supports the 10 Minute Walk Initiative. To ensure no family is left behind, we have to make sure that all families have easy access to safe parks and green spaces. OutGrown works to be the most effective hub of tools, information, and community inspiring all families with babies and young children to get outside and connect with nature. Learn more about OutGrown's mission and how you can get involved. ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org  EDITOR’S NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.

Trekking poles are an essential piece of gear for anyone wanting to get some elevation. But did you know that they're also important for families exploring even relatively flat terrain? If you've ever considered trekking poles to be an unlikely addition to your family adventures, then read on to learn why you should probably pick up a pair for every walker in your family. Stability is key First and foremost, trekking poles offer a powerful stability boost if you're hiking up anything steep. And, of course, as hiking families who often babywear to expand our available terrain, stability is something we can all use more of. After all, even the most coordinated of us can trip on a flat road, especially if we are front carrying a child. So even if you're not out there bagging a new peak each week and you stick to paved trails, trekking poles are a worthwhile investment. (Pro tip: They don't have to be a huge investment either. You can often pick up an inexpensive pair of high-quality poles that work great.) And, if you ever tandem carry, or hike on icy winter trails, trekking poles are a must! The fitness factor In addition to stability, there are also huge fitness benefits to using trekking poles: Who doesn't want to burn more calories? According to The Cooper Institute, using trekking poles can help you burn up to 20% more calories. Engage and activate those muscles! Using trekking poles on any kind of surface or terrain can help you better engage the muscles of your arms, core, and yes, even your leg muscles. Joint protection: Adding two additional points of contact is better for our bodies, especially on those downhills, however long or steep they may (or may not) be. So save your knees, ankles and hips. And yes, save your back too! Think safety! In addition to the obvious safety benefits that come from more stability (think avoiding falls), there are some other safety benefits to using trekking poles. Granted, that's a pretty big benefit, but there are more. You can use your poles to guide brush and prickly bushes out of your way. This can come in handy too, if you've got small hikers and you want to help hold branches out of their way so they can scramble on down the trail. And, you can use them for noise. Why is this important? Well, we recently published an article about hiking in areas that big game calls home. So in addition to singing or talking loudly with your group, you can clang your trekking poles together to make a noise not typically found in nature. This will help you not surprise any large animals also enjoying the trail. The fun factor If you've ever had kids (and since you're here reading, you probably do), you know that they love to have fun. And what's more fun for kids than to have their very own hiking implements? And you may not need to buy them a pint-sized set of trekking poles either. Many great brands are collapsible for easy storage and packing, and these make great tools in your family exploration arsenal because any walking member of the family can use them, from new walkers to even the most experienced. What has your experience been using trekking poles? Let us know in the comments below! READ MORE:  Gear That Matters Tandem Babywearing Tips – How to Carry Two Small Hikers Photos by Krystal Weir.