The Walkabout Way: Getting Kids Moving in Nature

Baylor School is ideally located by the
Tennessee River, but you do not have
to have rivers and mountains for
amazing outdoor adventures.

Kids love adventures, but "exercise" is generally not as interesting.  Unfortunately, many parents because of a lack of comfort, knowledge, or interest forget to look to nature, and its inherent adventures, as the easiest, not to mention most educational, way to get kids active.  The best part about adventures in nature is that the only thing that you need is an open mind; the rest, you and your children can learn together, and that is what I call the Walkabout Way.  

I grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, a town planted on the banks of the Tennessee River.  Within this small town is a co-ed school for grades 6-12 named Baylor School.  In the mid-1970's, Baylor faculty members created a now-nationally acclaimed outdoor program that in the intervening decades has led countless students up cliff faces, over waterfall, through mountain ranges, and far beyond their comfort zones.  The program is called Walkabout.

Walkabout is not a requirement of students, yet through it, in our current plugged-in age of sedentary screen-time, Baylor students elect to spend their weekends, afternoon, and holidays on the move and wrapped in adventure.  So what is it about Walkabout that inspires children that parents can apply to get their children moving and excited?

The first thing that Baylor students know about Walkabout is that it is fun.  It is not taking samples from a pond for biology class or listening to lectures on conservation; it is about having fun in nature.  Young kids especially, do not need to be "taught" about nature to develop a love of it, instead they simply need to have positive experiences in it.  So pack a snack and water and set out on a hike.  Do not try to name each species of tree, and instead, for example, talk about the sound and feel of the leaves under your feet (for other activities and ideas, consult REI's Family Adventure Program).  Mainly, listen to your children and for what excites them, and explore it together.  By choosing their direction and interests, children will enjoy the experience far more, making them more likely to want to go on another adventure, so do not over-think your hike, and instead enjoy it as it unfolds.

Never under-estimate the
playground of the outdoors,
especially for children.

Second, Walkabout allows you to do something different than you do on most days.  If your children play ball in the street or watch TV Monday through Friday, then a hike through a wooded lot or beside a pond will be different and probably exciting.  My three-year-old wants to be carried until you ask him if he wants to walk in the grass, through which he will immediately run, but put him on a trail and he will happily climb every hill.  The secret that adults grow up and forget is that hiking is not the same as walking, so even if your child will not walk around the block, he or she may hike for an hour in the woods, because it is an adventure to them.  The best news is that even if you take your kids on a hike five days per week, they will probably still find a joy in it, as the woods are always changing and climbing over a log or running down a hill never grow old.

Third, Walkabout allows children to guide their own learning and follow their passions, so for moms and dads, sometimes this means that you follow your child's lead.  It could be that they lead on a hike or that they see a rock climber or kayaker and want to learn more.  Either way, if you allow them to determine (not dictate) their adventure, they may discover something that they love. (On the practical side, outdoor sports are not cheap, but do not fret if your child develops an interest in kayaking with all of its gear.  Many communities have resources that make outdoor adventures accessible to all.  REI and its knowledgeable employees are an amazing resource, as are most outdoor retailers, but many local nature centers have classes and learning opportunities or they may be able to guide you to someone who can help.) 

Finally, Walkabout adventures do not have to be any bigger or further than your own back yard.  Walkabout trips may take students to the other side of the globe, but it is also an after-school activity, which means that students are not traveling to exotic locations for adventures-of-a-lifetime every day.  Instead, they are exploring the nature that surrounds them.  Adults may think such trips boring, but to children, even the smallest outings are exciting, so in the fall, go on a hike just to collect leaves and treasures; on a rainy day, take a walk to stomp puddles, and in the spring, count how many colors you can find in the woods, but get your kids outside, engaged, and moving and adventures will always follow.

A note about Walkabout: Walkabout is a life-changing program that is led by individuals who spend their lives developing their passion and skills for outdoor activities and sharing their knowledge with students.  Their level of skill is by no means required for spending time in the outdoors, but parents should choose activities for their families that are appropriate for their skill-level, and should always take steps to insure safety.  If you or your children want to explore an outdoor activity more in depth, the first step is to learn from someone with knowledge and experience.  REI has classes and trips in almost every outdoor sport, but other outdoor retailers may offer the same, and are a great place to start.