My first backpacking trip with my son

[Wonko]

I took my 11yr old son on his first real backpacking trip this weekend. Nothing to crazy but enough to see if he was going to be into it as much as he thought. We hiked 4.5 or 5 miles up the Chattooga River Trail. Talked to a lot of other hikers of various age ranges and had a great weekend together. He was overwhelmed by the beauty of nature. Even though I felt like I was packing for a seven day trip to minimize his load, I must admit I made him carry his own tent and sleeping bag. We had tons of fun and he got to see how a trail family help each other out. There was a young lady next to us who lost her rain jacket on the trail, and I gave her the spare poncho I always carry and offered her a ride back to her car. What I like to call paying it forward, as I am sure we all have been there at some point. Hope you all get out there and can find these magic moments of your own.

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[lilprincess]

Good for You! Sounds like a success and the beginning of many adventures together!

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[Otter1]

Love it!!!!

[Spiguyver]

It was a year ago this weekend that I took my then 10 yr old out for his first multi-night trip along the AT. Awesome times! Now you just need to get him a hammock of his own! Great work getting him out there!

[infrastellar]

Fantastic, this is the way to go

[Wonko]

I had him set up in my first hammock, but at the last minute he loaded up the one man tent to avoid "bugs". For his first trip, he did great, and is already talking about trying it in the hammock next time. :-)

[Mogollon Monster]

Way to go! Camping with the kids is the best.

[Fujibilly]

Love these posts! Great to hear it was such a success. Thanks so much for sharing!

[G money]

Awesome times with your kid!

[GopherHanger]

Very Cool, looking to go with my 5 year old in a week or two, our first time together backpacking!