This summer has seen a group of active little “travel enthusiasts.” Many outdoor enthusiasts have chosen to take their children hiking, wading through streams, and climbing rocks, letting the kids “run wild.”
Started “roughing it outdoors” in kindergarten
Mr. Liu, a 39-year-old architect and a seasoned “travel enthusiast,” has a 9-year-old son who also has over two years of “outdoor hiking experience,” having trekked with his dad along the Huizhou-Hangzhou Ancient Trail, the Hangzhou Mountain Loop, Ninghai, and other places—he’s a true “second-generation hiker.” On a recent trip, Mr. Liu took his son, along with fifteen or sixteen kids from his class and their parents, to hike the Huizhou-Hangzhou Ancient Trail. “Adults can finish this trail in four hours, but this time it was all kids just starting elementary school, so we took two days,” Mr. Liu explained. His son started hiking when he was still in kindergarten and now loves “roughing it outdoors” and has quite strong willpower.
Hiking, mountaineering, camping—kids’ sign-ups are booming
This summer, more and more “veteran travel enthusiasts” like Mr. Liu are also taking their kids outdoors. Some outdoor clubs have even launched special sections for little “travel enthusiasts,” drawing many sign-ups. Reporters found that most of these routes are classic one- to two-day hikes in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, many including experiences like trekking, mountain climbing, and camping. One club’s “Dragon Pool Diving” route in Jinhua requires participants to be at least 8 years old and accompanied by an adult. Equipment for mountaineering and camping must be prepared by the participants. Real-name registration is required upon sign-up, and outdoor insurance must be purchased.
Another outdoor club’s manager, Mr. Yang, told reporters that among this summer’s popular water-based routes, almost every group includes one or two children. “We strongly encourage parents to let their kids experience the joy of outdoor hiking, so any child under 14 can enjoy a 50% discount,” Mr. Yang said. Teams with children place higher demands on guides and veteran members. “Considering the safety of the kids, we assign experienced guides, seat children in the safest spots during transit, have them walk in the middle during the hike, and also have guides and veterans keep close watch on their surroundings.”
Veteran guides recommend kids start from ages seven or eight
“Maybe some parents think outdoor hiking requires physical strength and skills that kids can’t handle, but I believe some well-established basic hiking routes are completely manageable for children,” veteran outdoor guide “Fox” told us. Compared to spending the whole summer glued to an iPad or shuttling between training classes, taking kids outdoors is great behavioral education. “During the hike, kids not only build willpower and endurance, but also learn social skills. Before the trip, during the orientation, they have to introduce themselves and remember every teammate; along the way, they learn to ask for help, say thank you, and overcome obstacles on their own; after the trip, every child has to write a travel journal.”
Parent-child hiking is also a psychological test for parents. On a recent hike through the Baiji Gorge, halfway through the kids got tired and started crying loudly, and some parents began asking the guide when they’d reach the end, even leading to minor friction. “Fox” said that’s when experienced guides need to provide some “psychological reassurance.”
In terms of safety, “Fox” recommends kids start participating in outdoor hiking from around seven or eight years old. Parents should choose reputable clubs and teams with safety measures in place, and try to avoid randomly formed low-cost AA groups organized through QQ groups.