| A hike can be more than just a walk through the woods when campers are
encouraged to appreciate and understand the wonders of nature.
Color Hike
Before going on the hike, ask campers to fold
a piece of paper into four or six sections and color each section a different
color. When campers hike, have them look for something that matches each
color on their paper and write the name, sound, etc., on the corresponding
colored square.
Scavenger Hunt Hike
Before going on the hike, make a list of items
the group should look for and find. For example, oak tree, bird's nest,
deer tracks, a certain flower, walnut, or other items that are indigenous
to your area. As a group, campers search for the items and mark them
off the list. Unlike a traditional scavenger hunt where individuals and/or
teams search on their own for items, encourage the group to stay together
and search for item within the established boundaries.
Animal Evidence Hike
Animals often hide when they hear a group of
noisy campers hiking through the woods, but the signs of where they have
been are everywhere. Campers can look for this "evidence" and
identify what type of animal or insect inhabits an area.
For this hike, you will need field guides and
animal track guides, magnifying glasses and binoculars, and pencil and
paper. Encourage campers to look but not touch.
Discuss with campers the many ways animals make
their presence known, such as dropped feathers, food remnants, tracks,
tree marking, and droppings. Ask campers to identify as many animal traces
as possible. Work together to identify which animal left the evidence
behind.
Things to look for:
- bird eggshells
- cicada castings
- cocoons, empty or full
- earthworm tracks in mud
- eggs laid on leaves
- empty insect exoskeletons
- feathers
- holes in trees
- old bird nests and squirrel nests
- wasp's nests
- sandy ant hills
- spider's web
Alphabet Hike
Find something in nature that begins with each
letter of the alphabet. Before leaving for the hike, write the letters
of the alphabet on a piece of paper. As you walk, look for an animal,
a plant, a sound, or a scent for each letter.
Sunrise Hike
Before sunrise, hike to a high point to watch
the sun come up. Bring along a ready-made breakfast or cook breakfast
on the trail while you watch the new day emerge.
Related Topic
Tick
Prevention Tips
Originally published in the 2000 May/June of Camping
Magazine.
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