The Leave No Trace Organization is dedicated to teaching people how to protect the natural world. They created 7 Principles to provide a framework for minimizing our impact on natural spaces while we enjoy them. Leaving absolutely NO trace when adventuring outdoors may sound nearly impossible, especially when you have kids in tow. However, Leave No Trace isn't about perfection. It's about understanding how our actions affect the environment and making choices that reduce our impact. While it may not be realistic to leave zero trace every time, we can all take steps to help protect the places we love to explore.
The 7 Principles Include:
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Others
In this blog series, we will dive into the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace and offer tips and tricks to help your family reduce their impact on the environment. In this post, we will focus on the first principle: Plan Ahead and Prepare.
Principle 1: Plan Ahead and Prepare
There’s a reason planning and preparation are the first principle for Leave No Trace. Whether you’re heading out on a short hike or a monthlong backpacking trip, a little (or a lot) of planning and preparation can go a long way. It promotes safety and enjoyment while reducing environmental harm.
Planning and preparation could be as simple as checking the weather and packing a lunch for a trip to a local open space or packing a daypack for a family hike in the woods. It could also be as involved as meticulously planning meals, calculating elevation changes, and planning where to set up camp for a multi-week backpacking adventure.
When kids are involved, this step becomes exponentially more important. Here are some tips for practicing this principle at home and involving the whole family in preparing for your next outdoor adventure:
Do Your Research
As a family, spend some time researching the area you will be traveling to. This includes finding trail routes, noting when the area is busiest, and finding current trail conditions. Apps such as AllTrails can help with this. You’ll also want to assess the group's abilities as you plan for distance and difficulty. A good rule to follow is to base your route on how far the youngest (or most inexperienced) walker in your group can hike without needing constant encouragement to keep going.
For camping and backpacking, check the current fire safety protocols and wildlife status. For example, if there is a fire ban, you’ll need to bring other heating, cooking, and lighting sources. If you are backpacking during mating or nesting season, you may need to be extra cautious with your chosen camping spots and hiking routes.
Conversation Starter: “This route would take us straight up the side of the peak, while this other route would be a more gradual incline. Which route do you think would be best for little brother?”
Pack the Essentials (and Extras)
Have your kids help you pack the 10 Essentials (the most important items to have with you while hiking and adventuring outdoors). Lay everything out and discuss why each item is important, along with scenarios when having that item could make or break your trip. Check out this video for a nice visual on what to include in your pack.
The Ten Essentials Include:
- Navigational Tools: Even if you use GPS apps like Gaia or AllTrails, always carry a map and compass as a backup in case your phone loses signal or battery. They can also be a fun way to teach kids basic navigation skills.
- Sun Protection: Protect your family's skin and eyes year-round with broad-spectrum sunscreen, UV-blocking sunglasses, SPF lip balm, and UPF clothing. A wide-brim sun hat adds an extra layer of protection on sunny adventures.
- Insulating Layers: Weather can change quickly, so pack an extra insulating layer along with a hat and gloves depending on the season. It's always easier to remove layers than wish you'd packed more.
- Light: A headlamp or flashlight is essential if your adventure runs longer than expected. A headlamp keeps your hands free, and spare batteries ensure you won't be left in the dark.
- First Aid Kit: Carry a first aid kit on every adventure, whether it's a pre-made kit (like this one from KEEP>GOING) or one customized for your family's needs. Be sure to include any personal medications and adjust the size based on your outing.
- Fire Supplies: Pack a lighter or waterproof matches along with a reliable fire starter, such as tinder or fire cubes, in case you need warmth or an emergency fire.
- Knife or Multi-Tool: A pocketknife or multi-tool comes in handy for everything from preparing snacks to making repairs and handling unexpected situations on the trail.
- Extra Food: Bring more snacks than you think you'll need—especially when hiking with kids! Pack shelf-stable options like trail mix, jerky, or energy bars in case your adventure lasts longer than planned (or your kiddos are going through a growth spurt).
- Extra Water: Always carry extra water, particularly in warm weather. You can have kids carry their own water using a hydration backpack or a kid-sized water bottle. For longer hikes, bring a lightweight water filter or purification tablets so you can safely refill along the way.
- Emergency Shelter: A lightweight emergency shelter, such as a space blanket, tarp, or emergency bivvy, can provide lifesaving protection if weather changes or you're delayed on the trail.
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Helpful Extras: While they may not be considered “essential”, consider adding duct tape (the universal “fixer”) and a whistle to your pack. Also, outdoor “bathroom” essentials such as a trowel, bathroom kit, a Kula “pee” cloth, and extra bags for packing out come in handy, especially when holding it isn’t an option for your junior explorers. Lastly, insect repellent (such as these kid-safe repellent patches) can make for a much more pleasant adventure through buggy terrain.
Pro Tip: Many of these items can be packed once and replaced as needed if you have a designated family hiking pack.
Check the Weather:
Have your kiddos check the weather forecast the day before your outing and plan what they will wear, what food to bring for snacks/meals, and decide what extra gear may be needed (such as rain gear or a towel). Also, get in the habit of checking the forecast right before you leave the house. Mother Nature has a way of surprising us when we least expect it (and fail to prepare for it)!
Conversation Starter: “The forecast is calling for a 30% chance of rain during our hike. What should we pack to make sure we stay comfortable?”
Looking for more involvement? Check out this fun activity on planning ahead that can be easily tweaked for use with your family.
Rebecca is a transplant Coloradoan living in Hawaii with her husband (Derek) and their two boys. She’s a teacher turned freelance writer/ homeschool mom working towards exploring as much of the area and nearby islands as possible before the next move takes her family elsewhere. She is also a certified Leave No Trace Instructor. You can follow her family hiking, kayaking, SUPing, geocaching, camping, and all things outdoor adventuring on Instagram @frazzlednaturemom .
