5 Gear Essentials for Hiking in the Rain with Kids

It's the night before a hike and you're prepping the bags. We all know the typical things we pack: Water Sunscreen Diapers Snacks But, let's be honest. Sometimes, Dads think of the stuff we never would have considered bringing. And gosh darn it, if those things don't save the day or become the hit of the hike. Sourced from our own HiB community, here's what our dads are carrying with them on hikes. Hiking Games and Motivation (Bribes... let's be real) From games to tasty snacks, sometimes kiddos need a little extra motivation to finish the hike. Check out this list of scavenger hunts you can use to up the energy and fun factor on your next hike. And, if games aren't enough, motivational snacks can get the job done. Matt Bachand of the HiB Washington DC Branch said: "M&Ms. That way I can take him out of the baby carrier and keep him hiking as much as possible. I put them at switchbacks and trail junctions to keep him motivated." Emergency Preparation Beyond the all-important first-aid kit for injury triage on the trail, dads know to be prepared. Extra water is essential. Be sure to bring enough water for drinking. And bring extra water to clean a cut, wash muddy hands (before they get dirt in the eyes and cause another emergency), or clean snack-covered fingers. One Hike it Baby dad recommended soft water bottles with squirt lids to cover both drinking and clean-up. Speaking of clean-up, sometimes there is nothing else to do but change clothes. Scott Simmons of the HiB Fredericksburg, VA Branch added: "Double kid emergency clothes and diapers."  Because you know if you don't bring them, the baby will explode through everything. Gear You don't want your hiking pack to get too heavy, but a couple of extra gadgets and gizmos can make for a better hike. Shamus Gordon, also from the HiB Fredericksburg, VA Branch, had on his list: "Plant ID app," so they can turn their adventure into a learning opportunity and plant scavenger hunt. Another dad recommended reusable plastic bags for collecting things, from trash to treasure. The bags can also be used to pack out dirty and wet clothes. Carabiners clipped to the outside of your hiking pack always find a use. Lastly, a utility knife or multi-tool. You never know when it will come in handy, but you'll be so glad you have it. Which of these things are you excited to add to your hiking pack? What other things are you bringing on your hikes that you're pretty sure no one else is thinking about? Leave us a comment and let us know. Hike it Baby 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 Hike it Baby's mission and how you can get involved.   About Hike it Baby 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.   Photo courtesy of Stephanie Jacobson.   Editors Note:   We hope you enjoyed reading this article from Hike it Baby. 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 do not make this ask lightly, but if you are able to afford it, make a donation, and become a Hike it Baby member.  A membership also makes a great gift for that new parent in your life. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. If you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.

We all know to carry a compass as part of our 10 essentials, but how many of us know how to use it? Until recently, I didn't. Knowing how to use a compass is one of the basic navigation skills and of the utmost importance to safety on trails. If separated from your group or lost in the woods, your compass and a trail map can be your one-way ticket to safety ... if you know how to use it, of course. An informal survey of our Hike it Baby members found that many learned basic navigation skills as children either through Scouting (Boy Scouts of America or Girl Scouts), school classes or clubs, or their parents. Those who learned as children overwhelmingly stated that the skills stayed with them into adulthood. I never learned basic navigation skills as a child. I vaguely remember learning some beginner topography and map reading in elementary school Social Studies class, but it was not a skill I used often enough to stay sharp. I’m fairly certain I never saw a compass in real life until I was an adult. As getting our kids outside and hiking moved up on our priority list, my need to learn basic navigation skills became increasingly important. My husband taught me some orienteering skills like map and compass reading, and initially my thought was, “I’ve got a compass on my iPhone; I’m good.” But then my husband reminded me that my iPhone battery could die, and it depends on GPS so it wouldn't work if I was out of a service area (which accounts for most of the area where we live in Vermont).   How to get started Equipped with our new compass, my husband and I headed for the trails and grabbed a map from the trailhead. We laid out the map and spent about five minutes reviewing the map key, scale and elevation changes. Then we went over the standard features of a compass and how to orient the compass with the map. During our hike, we stopped periodically to orient ourselves and mark where we were on the trail. We drilled using the compass to head in different directions, then reorient and move in a different direction again. And we practiced locating nearby landmarks on the map. In total, we spent about two hours on the trail, and I came away from it feeling refreshed and excited to have practiced basic navigation skills. Where to find resources Don't worry if you missed out on learning navigation skills in your youth; it's never too late to start. There are numerous resources all around you. You can find online courses, in-person courses, books, pamphlets, webinars, videos, articles and the list goes on. 1. Research courses offered nationally. REI offers a Map & Compass Navigation Basics class in stores across the country. Their website describes this hands-on course by stating that “you'll learn the parts of a compass, how to read a topographic map, and how to use them in tandem. You'll learn how to pinpoint your location through triangulation and then navigate to new locations by following a bearing. You'll also learn how to plan routes using a topographic map.” It comes highly recommended by our members. L.L.Bean offers a similar class, as well, through their outdoor discovery schools. Their website offers a course description and a list of things to bring along. Here, you can find all of the info on the L.L.Bean Introduction to Map- and Compass-Skills Course. 2. Check out local course offerings. Depending on where you are located, there are local organizations, clubs or shops that offer basic navigation courses. Here are just a few that came recommended by our members. There are many more that you can find through a simple Google search or by contacting your local hiking clubs, park systems or sporting goods stores. Washington New Hampshire Vermont Colorado 3. Take an online course or webinar. "Backpacker Magazine" offers a completely online course option through their AIM Adventure U. This Backcountry Navigation course is designed to be taken at your own pace. It's perfect for a busy mama! 4. Read a book or article. Why not get a book? Read it at your own pace and explore when ready. The following books have received great reviews: Be Expert with Map and Compass by Björn Kjellström The Essential Wilderness Navigator: How to Find Your Way in the Great Outdoors by David Seidman Wilderness Navigation: Finding Your Way Using Map, Compass, Altimeter & GPS by Bob Burns One of our members mentioned the Boy Scouts of America’s Orienteering merit badge pamphlet. It is incredibly affordable and you can purchase a copy online even if you are not a BSA member. As for articles, REI has a pair of complimentary articles on compass and topography basics. Both are informative as well as easy to read and follow. And "Backpacker Magazine" also has a great piece, Navigation 101: Understanding your Compass. 5. There’s a YouTube video for that! And finally, you can go on YouTube to watch videos on the navigation! There is a YouTube how-to for everything these days! Read more: Hiking essentials: staying safe on the trails 7 Tips for safety on trail with kids How did you learn basic navigation skills? What resources would you suggest to a beginner? Photos by Walter Payton Edwards and Amy Diebold.     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    EDITORS 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.