Any active member of Hike it Baby can host a hike. As a non-profit organization built on community it’s important everyone has the opportunity to contribute to and help build their local Hike it Baby branch. The more hikes on the calendar, the better! But, we get it… the idea of hosting a hike can be intimidating. We highly recommend you attend a Hike it Baby hike and read through the hike host responsibilities before you host a hike. And if you need a little extra oomph to get out there and host, check out these untold benefits and insider tips to hosting a Hike it Baby hike.
You do not have to be perfect. People are grateful that you are taking the time to organize and host a hike. They actually want to be there. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have taken the time to pack 8 million snacks, two sets of extra clothes, a gallon of water, and half of the toy bin into their backpacks if they didn’t want to join you on the trail. So, relax, have fun, and enjoy the community! Take comfort that you’ve found your people.
Hosting a hike is the ultimate “you do you.” You can plan for a time, date, and location that works for you. You can pick the type of hike that strikes your fancy, from a fast-paced “feel the burn” stroller walk to a stop-and-look-at-every-tree-or-bird (twice) toddler wander. Bonus! You’ll likely connect with other members that have a similar schedule and location preference.
Major props if you can spot every animal track, play the flute as you wander along the trail, and ensure the kids leave your hike as junior entomologists. But, your job is to bring families together in nature and set the tone for a good hike. You aren’t expected to be a trained trail guide.
From your branch ambassadors to the support teams at Hike it Baby, we’ve got your back! Your branch ambassadors can answer your questions, go over requirements for hosting, and possibly be a co-host with you for your first hosting experience. Ambassadors love their hike hosts because it helps take some of the pressure off of them to host all of the hikes.
In a “no pain, no gain” sort of way, this is my favorite thing about hosting a hike. If I commit to hosting, I have to show-up. Yes, we will cancel in the event of illness or severe weather, but hosting means that on those days we just don’t feel like it, those rough days, and the days where nothing seems to be going right, we do it. And I’m always happy we did, because when we leave the hike, everyone is for the better. And that makes it all worth it. Learn more about how to host a Hike it Baby hike in this video. Ready to host your first hike? Don’t forget to reach out to your local branch ambassadors and read through the hike host responsibilities, then submit your hike here! Happy hiking!
Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Photos courtesy of Michelle Craig.
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