A Scout’s Campfire

National Trails Day

May 23rd, 2007 spryken

June 2nd is National Trails Day.

The American Hiking Society is celebrating the 15th year of National Trails Day.  There are events all over the country from sponsored hikes to trail maintenance.

I am launching a series on the Hiking and Backpacking merit badges for our troop in conjunction with the National Trails Day event at the NC Museum of Art.  The Museum is holding guided hikes on the 1.5 mile Museum Park trail.  There will be explanations of some of the Park’s exhibits.

I feel this is a great way to introduce the boys to hiking.  And I mean hiking as opposed to backpacking.  So many of the boys seem to think that they have to strap on a backpack to earn the hiking merit badge.  Hiking can be any type of walk.  It can be backpacking, but it can also be a walk along a greenway or at the local park, even a learning hike at a local museum.

The 3 mile round trip hike will also allow me to see how our new boys can handle the more rigorous hikes required by the hiking merit badge.  I hope to slowly introduce the boys to longer and more strenuous hikes, maybe even hook them on the backpacking trips I love.

I hope to get the boys more involved with the trail maintenance activities next year.  But building interest in trails is the idea behind the National Trails Day.  I urge you to go out and find a trail activity near you.  Get involved.

Hike On!

Entry Filed under: Backpacking, Boy Scouts, Hiking