I love to go for a good hike, but I find that many campers do not. They quickly get bored. Short hikes to an activity area are fine, but if you are looking to go on a longer hike, be prepared for some moans and groans. That is unless you spice up the hike. One way to do that is with themed trails.
I love themed trails. I love putting them together and I love the reactions I get from the campers. My staff also enjoy leading hikes when it’s a themed hike. Here are a collection of themed hikes you can implement at your camp.
Un-Nature Hike
“Hide” the items along the trail – still somewhat in sight.
Let the campers know that you are going on an un-nature hike.
At the end of the hike, discuss what items were found.
You could also go with one particular theme. For example, you could do a superhero theme and “hide” related items along the trail (capes, gloves, masks, belts, boots, rings, weapons, bat signal, Kryptonite, etc.)
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The File Folders System
Transform the same hike into a new adventure.
Gather 20-30 hanging file folders. Staple a sheet protector inside each one. Then use these by hanging (upside down) around trees, fences, and other objects along a trail for a ‘Tour”. It’s easy to tie a string or rope around a large object, and then drape the folder over it.
Campers open the folder to reveal the “object of interest”. If you use the greenish ones, they blend in well during the summer in a lot of nature locations.
An example of how to use this is to hunt for animals when running an Australia-themed camp.
You can print out pictures and fun facts about different animals found in the Australian Outback. Place them in the sheet protectors stapled inside the hanging file folders and place them along your hiking trail. Now challenge the campers to find and learn about the different animals as they “Hike in the Outback”.
You can do the same with animals local to your state for a different hike.
It’s really easy and can be used for a lot of different things.
You can use this system for a Tour of London with different landmarks and information. You could even have an activity challenge at each location. For example, at “Buckingham Palace” the challenge could be to re-enact the “Changing of the Guard”.
Or how about creating a maze for a Harry Potter camp, for a Tri-Wizard Tournament?
In this case, each folder would have a number on the front. Inside would be a trivia question with multiple-choice answers. Each answer leads the player to another numbered folder. Wrong answers end with a dead end and a monster inside. Correct answers proceed them through the maze to the end.
The folders can be randomly placed around an area with grass and lots of trees, so you could keep them in a contained space, and the spectators could easily watch.
Submitted by Tory T.
Story Trail
A great book to use for young campers is Dirt Boy by Erik Jon Slangerup. It is about a little boy who is tired of being clean, runs off into the woods, and finds a giant.
The book could change every week.
Submitted by Paula D.
Shape Hike
This one is especially good with the younger campers.
The activity starts with a craft. Have each camper make a bracelet with their favorite shapes on it. They can cut out shapes (circles, squares, triangles, etc.) from construction paper, punch holes in the middle, string yarn through their shapes, and tie them on their arms.
Now take them on a hike.
During the hike, they look for shapes in nature that match the ones on their bracelet. For example, round rocks, triangle leaves, and straight sticks.
Submitted by Mollianne H.
Fairy Trail
Find a trail that has fascinating stumps, unusual tree trunks, and maybe even some moss for your fairy trail.
Along the trail, have campers construct homes, dishes, furniture, and paths for fairies out of natural materials they find on the forest floor.
Campers will have fun walking along the trail to see what other campers have done.
You can also hang tinkling wind chimes out of sight.
Submitted by Paula D.
RAINBOW HIKE
Here’s another one for young campers (family camps, grandparent groups, preschools, etc.).
Encourage children to think about their favorite color. Where do they see that color outside?
Tell the children they will be going on a hike and they’re going to try and find as many colors as possible!
First, find all the colors of the rainbow. At every color, stop and teach a little bit about what they found.
Second, once the group has found all the colors, hand out paint chips (you can grab some from the local hardware store or buy some online).
Have a competition with older kids to see who can find the most things that match. With younger kids, set a goal of 20 matches as a group.
Submitted by Erin S.
DISCOvery HIKE
This activity is best done early on in a program.
This hike accomplishes two goals. The first is to guide participants around major areas, trails, activity areas, and buildings of your site.
The second is to begin a habit of noticing things that present teaching opportunities or things that are just cool!
A Disco Hike is a DISCOVERY hike, not a FACT hike.
Tell your group they will be out on a hike for 1-2 hours, and to bring water, and perhaps extra clothing depending on the weather.
The group will head out together for the hike, make sure there is another adult at the end of your group hike, or count group members frequently.
When any member of the group sees something unique or that captures their attention, the person yells “DISCO”! The person who spotted the item brings the group around to show off their discovery.
Limit the names and definitions that are provided during the hike. This is NOT a hike about naming things and handing out facts. It is about exploring and finding interesting things.
You could provide brief categories for things such as producer, consumer, etc. You can make a list of things to research more about later. Taking pictures could be helpful and fun.
This is a good time to point out hazardous items such as poison ivy, oak, and sumac. As well as areas that are off-limits to campers.
Variations:
Use this activity to go exploring for specific things. Have a Disco Hike for Decomposers, or Bird and Animal signs. You could do an erosion Disco hike, or go exploring on a scat Disco Hike (always fun).
With many activities allowing participants to tell their stories about the activity can be a worthwhile activity. After a Disco hike, either right after or at the end of the day, gather your group and have them tell the story of the Disco Hike.
You can create a list of things to further explore, and also map what you found and where. This process allows people to relive the day and if you make a map, it begins to create a visual sense of the property. And you can add to that map each day with your adventures.
You never know what you might find on a Disco Hike!
Submitted by Shawn M.
AQUAMANIAC
Introduce a superhero-style villain to your Nature Program for added fun, excitement, and suspense
Does your camp have a creek, river, or waterfront area?
Take the group to the water and talk about the importance of the ecosystem there. You could also catch and release various creatures, do some fishing, canoeing, or geocaching.
Before going on the hike to the water area, introduce the campers to the Aquamaniac and talk about how they cause aquatic mischief. Then put together a “security team” of campers to run off, or possibly catch, the Aquamaniac if seen.
During the hike to the water area, while at the water area, and during the hike back, have the Aquamaniac make random appearances in the distance.
The Aquamaniac is a staff person or CIT in a ghillie suit.
You’ll find that the campers will really enjoy this twist on the watershed hike. There will be a buzz around who the Aquamaniac is. Many of the campers will be sure they know. On the last day of camp, have the Aquamaniac get captured. Then unmask them.
It will definitely make your hikes and/or nature track more memorable.
Original idea submitted by Seth H.
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