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Showing posts with label children. Show all posts

Lost! National Park Program to Help Children Learn Survival Techniques

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

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Daniel Boone would never admit to being lost - but did admit that he was "bewildered" once for several days when visiting an unfamiliar area. Unlike Boone, the average person of today would know nothing of the lifesaving tips they might need to survive being lost in the woods. On September 24th, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park will host "Junior Rangers" as they learn secrets that Boone knew of survival and how to help themselves get found if ever lost in the wilderness!

Every year millions hike, canoe and simply wander into some of the most untouched and unspoiled wilderness areas America has to offer when they visit their national parks. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park's 85 miles of trails are used by thousands of visitors every year and periodically, rangers receive reports of missing hikers or lost children. One wrong turn or misread map can attribute to anyone being "bewildered," but when the visitor is a child, the situation can quickly become serious. Rangers are quite familiar with being sent to the backcountry of Cumberland Mountain to look for missing or lost hikers and sometimes these searches become true rescue missions as well.

Cumberland Gap Protection Ranger John Housch relates that many times visitors, especially children, when lost, will make decisions that make it difficult or impossible to find them, even though they are trying to be found! Search dogs, helicopters, bright flashlights and other search equipment can be alarming to a frightened child who may actually hide from the very people who are trying to save them! Ranger Housch invites parents to bring their children to this special Junior Ranger C.S.I. Program entitled Captive. Survival. Instincts. This special program will arm children with the tools to survive if they should ever become a "captive" of the wilderness!

The program will begin on Saturday, September 24th at 1:00 p.m. at the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park visitor center. All are invited to join our Junior Ranger Corps during this exciting "ranger training"!

For additional information on Cumberland Gap National Historical Park's programs, please call 606-248-2817, extension 1075.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Guided Backpacking Trips in the Great Smoky Mountains

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

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Did you know that REI offers guided backpacking trips in the Great Smoky Mountains? If you’re new to the park, or new to backpacking, this is a great way to explore the Smokies with experienced and professional guides.

REIs challenging Appalachian Trail tour follows the crest of the western Smoky Mountains. Along the way participants visit Clingmans Dome, Derrick Knob, Thunderhead Mountain, Rocky Top and Spence Field. Along the way hikers stay in backcountry shelters, and REI provides breakfast and dinners. The trip is considered challenging for experienced backpackers or very fit beginners. REI runs this guided trip about a dozen times this year, but half are already sold out.

For a backpacking excursion that’s a little less challenging, and a little more family friendly, REI introduced a new three day backpacking loop hike this year, designed for families with children ages 9 and up. The trip starts and ends in the Big Creek area, and includes a visit to the Mt. Sterling fire tower. Along the way hikers pass by old growth Hemlock and Spruce trees, streams, pools and cascading waterfalls. There are still two dates available for this year; however, you do have the option of organizing a privately guided trip.

For those seeking the ultimate in adventure, REI offers an introductory course in rock climbing in North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest. During this two-day course participants spend time at Looking Glass and Cedar Rock, two areas ideal for beginner climbers. The course is run by professional instructors that are certified by the American Mountain Guides Association, and have many years experience in teaching “Rock Climbing 101”. All meals, camping accommodations and required technical equipment are provided. Several dates are still available.

For more information on these guided trips, as well as a variety of other adventures in national parks and outdoor areas across the country - and around the world - please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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Certified Good Hiker

Saturday, August 21, 2010

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Catherine Dold, a former “trail host” volunteer for the U.S. Forest Service in the Indian Peaks Wilderness in Colorado, and former editor for Audubon Magazine, has recently developed a Certified Good Hiker Kit for children.

The kit teaches kids to be “Good Hikers.” It includes a fun fill-in-the-blanks “class” that introduces kids to the basic guidelines of hiking and trail manners: what to bring on a hike, why it’s important to stay with your group (and what to do if they get separated), and why you shouldn’t try to feed those cute animals.

The kit also helps children on how to prepare before venturing outdoors, how to stay safe, and how to treat the environment.

As part of the download is a certificate that declares each kid to be a Certified Good Hiker. The 8-page PDF download ($4.95) also includes a guide for adults who are leading the activity.

Click here to check it out.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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National Junior Ranger Day in the Smokies

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park will celebrate the third annual National Junior Ranger Day on April 25, 2009 with special activities at the Park's three visitor centers.

From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., children and their families can join in a variety of free hands-on activities, including searching for salamanders, making dinner bells at a blacksmith shop, historic toy making, weaving, wildflower searches as well as other natural and cultural opportunities will be available. Information on the specific programs will be available at the Sugarlands, Oconaluftee, and Cades Cove Visitor Centers.

National Junior Ranger Day is a special event for National Park Week. Most parks throughout the country will host ceremonies, interactive games, and special events designed to connect children with the resources found in national parks.

All events are free. For more information, please visit:

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/forkids/beajuniorranger.htm


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Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Smoky Mountain Day Hikers Store Quality gear and apparel from some of the best outdoor brands.
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