The mountains aren't for the kiddies (Raleigh, Maggie Valley: school, casino, restaurant)

[RaleighRob]

^ Yup.
The Cherokee/Smoky Mtn National Park areas are GREAT to take kids, especially if you like a trip that's also educational in addition to fun.
The outdoor drama "Unto These Hills" and the Oconolufte (sp?) Indian Village are very fun to take kids to, and they'll learn alot at the same time.

[silverwing]

Originally Posted by dirtykj

Ah, I have an answer for that. Moab! And, let them DRIVE
....
There's a North Carolina chapter of LOST (Liberty Owner Special Team) club. They do hit Urwharrie fairly often. Maybe you want to come along?

Heh. I take the ScratHack to some pretty adventurous spots . It was 3 miles of twisty gravel roads to get here (Whitetop Mt in SW Virginia elevation 5520)



This is what it looks like from below

[larycham]

I am sorry to learn that many parents leave their kids home in front of their computers when they venture out into the mountains. Some of you may know of the book that has launched a new nature-based education movement and generally raised our awareness of the importance of nature to child development. The book is "Last Child in the Woods" by Richard Louv. The subtitle is "Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder." Louv writes that "at the very time that the bond is breaking between the young and the natural world, a growing body of research links our mental, physical, and spiritual health directly to our association with nature--in positive ways."

When you get a chance, encourage friends and relatives with children to get them out into the natural world as often as possible. Not everything of value is attached to a mouse, joyskick, or remote control

[a2zmom]

We're fairly new to the mountains, but my kids have always be "outdoorsy"! The 8 year old, I have to drag inside when it gets dark outside and the 4 year old gets made if she can't be outside with her "brudder"! Remember the good old days when your mom told you to go outside and "blow some stink off" and didn't allow you back inside until dark? LOL!

[Loves mountains]

There is a good book on this subject "Last Child in the Woods, Saving our children from Nature Deficit Disorder" by Richard Louv. My high school senior had to read it for her Environmental Science class - lots of good info.

[monica2k2000]

Speaking of bringing the kids to the outdoors. My hubby and I are looking in WNC for a nice campground to buy so we can help introduce families to the outdoors and all the wonders there are to discover while getting dirty. Anyone know of a place for sale. We would need some acreage, trees,and maybe RV sites and cabins.

[a2zmom]

Monica, you might want to call a Real Estate Agent who may of know of one, or may know how to find out if there are any for sale. Good Luck! I would love to have a business like that!!

[willbo1]

We are soon relocating to Asheville and one of the major aspects that drew us there was the opportunity for our son to grow up with many outdoor activities. He is only 18 months old at this point but I want to get him going early. Anyone have tips on how to actually take him on a hike? He gets to antsy staying in his stroller and is not adept enough to walk on his own yet. What do others do with a child this age? Too big for the baby bjorn too. Tips? Advice? Thanks

[Loves mountains]

Originally Posted by willbo1

We are soon relocating to Asheville and one of the major aspects that drew us there was the opportunity for our son to grow up with many outdoor activities. He is only 18 months old at this point but I want to get him going early. Anyone have tips on how to actually take him on a hike? He gets to antsy staying in his stroller and is not adept enough to walk on his own yet. What do others do with a child this age? Too big for the baby bjorn too. Tips? Advice? Thanks

There are some wonderful packs available to carry an 18-month old. I have friends that have a Kelty brand pack and they love it.

[NewUser]

Originally Posted by willbo1

We are soon relocating to Asheville and one of the major aspects that drew us there was the opportunity for our son to grow up with many outdoor activities. He is only 18 months old at this point but I want to get him going early. Anyone have tips on how to actually take him on a hike? He gets to antsy staying in his stroller and is not adept enough to walk on his own yet. What do others do with a child this age? Too big for the baby bjorn too. Tips? Advice? Thanks

We have one of the baby backpacks by Kelty. These work great, but there are a few things to be wary of.

1) How big is your son and how big are you? I'm 150 lbs soaking wet, and I carried my son on my back through a little past age 2. I think that he reached a little over 30 pounds by that point. Same as a nicely loaded backback, but a backpack full of camping gear doesn't wave its arms and legs and head, throwing you off balance.

2) How content is he to ride back there? We constantly play games with our son to keep him occupied. For example, I give him a little stick and ask him to hit the trees and count them as we pass.

3) How sure-footed are you. If you trip over a tree root you'll have 30 lbs of weight pushing you down into the ground. I learned that the hard way

4) What kinds of trails will you be walking on. Nice level trails with a pine mulch base are great! Hiking on "strenuous" trails gives a new meaning to "strenuous" and increases the chance for a fall (see also number 3).