Overnight backpacking with 7-year-old?

[fireflycaptain]

Would you take your kid backpacking (2 days, one night) at this age? He's a great hiker and an okay listener. 

I'm asking you guys because the discussion is about to turn into a brawl between my brother and everyone else. And I'm the least objective person ever. lol

[bullybutt]

Is it a casual hiking trip where everything is willy nilly or are they on an agenda to cover a certain amount of area? What are the weather conditions and what part of the country? How many people are in the hiking party?

[Deleted]

I don't do the outdoors. I don't see why a seven year old couldn't handle it though. Mine ran a 5K with my H a couple of weeks ago. You know your kid best.

[sahara78]

If the seven year old likes to hike & tent camp, why not? I assume they wouldn't be going too far each day.

[fireflycaptain]

No specific distance to cover with reasonably warm weather at Glacier National Park. It would be 4 adults, one kid if my nephew goes. It would be in the middle of a larger 10 day eight person camping trip.

[fireflycaptain]

For the record it's my nephew and everyone but my brother(his dad) want him to go.

Brother made plans to leave my nephew with us without informing us. It's not the first time he's pulled something like this which is why I want to make sure its actually reasonable to make him take his kid with him. My nephew would love it.

[bullybutt]

Jan 21, 2015 17:17:13 GMT -5 fireflycaptain said:

No specific distance to cover with reasonably warm weather at Glacier National Park. It would be 4 adults, one kid if my nephew goes. It would be in the middle of a larger 10 day eight person camping trip.

Me, personally, think that it would be an amazing experience and maybe something that he could start doing as a family trip on a regular basis.  He might slow the group down if they are trying to keep an agenda, but if not, then let him go.  How fun!!

[bullybutt]

Jan 21, 2015 17:21:20 GMT -5 fireflycaptain said:

For the record it's my nephew and everyone but my brother(his dad) want him to go.

Brother made plans to leave my nephew with us without informing us. It's not the first time he's pulled something like this which is why I want to make sure its actually reasonable to make him take his kid with him. My nephew would love it.

What a douche!  Why wouldn't he want that father/son experience?  Majority rules...he goes!

[fireflycaptain]

I will give my brother credit and say that he is a pretty great dad and they do stuff together all the time. And we all understand the desire to do something fun and relaxing without a kid in tow. But we also know that my nephew would actually be really upset if he doesn't get to go too.

And my brother is coming up with lame excuses, like my nephew doesn't have a proper pack. So my sister just ordered one and sent it to his house. lol. This trip in a few months away and we're already fighting. It's gonna be awesome.

[thebay]

Personally I would have loved that at seven and been broken hearted for a long time if I couldn't go.

Team let the kid hike!

[fireflycaptain]

Alright, I'll dig my heels in then. Kid is goin' backpacking!

[regal]

DH is counting down the days until we can do a portage trip with the kids. So yes, we would do it in a heartbeat.

[rondackhiker]

I'm glad you're taking him!

[iloverunning]

I'm pretty sure that we will be bringing our 4 year old on an overnight trip in the next couple years.  Like everyone else says, as long as the mileage is light, there is no technical terrane, and the weather is cooperative, then go for it.

[jumpingpuddles]

I actually laughed out loud at the thought. It wouldn't end well with my almost 7 yr-old, but it sounds like he is up for it, so good luck!

[Deleted]

Honestly at 7 years old even a good hiker is only going to be able to go about 5 miles a day max. If they want/need to do that, or if it's a steep elevation on the trail I would be very cautious. also they can usually only carry about 1/4 of their body weight at that age in a backpack, which means probably only their water for the day, maybe a jacket or snack. so another adult would need to carry the bulk of their clothing, tent, sleeping bag which may make the adult pack overweight. So it may actually not be as feasible to do the backpacking part of this as you think.

Note I do Cub scouts and Boy Scouts and we don't expect the younger ones to actually backpack their gear anywhere, and the small guys even at age 10-11 often can't carry much of their own gear.

That said, I'd agree with the dad that sure, it's ok if you don't think the kid can handle it, but you'll have to find a different babysitter, cause I don't take to being voluntold anything.