Watch for kids who are ‘risk-takers’ on hikes

Risk-takers are the kind of kids who climb up rocks from which they could readily fall or drown. Risk-taking shouldn’t be allowed. If an injury occurs, the hike could then very well be over. Sometimes, rescuing such a child means putting yourself at risk, and that’s a very dangerous situation indeed. There’s a lot of fun to be had without children deliberately putting themselves in danger.

The best way to deal with a risk-taker is to head him off before he gets to the pass. As Robert O., Wheeling, W.Va., says, “Risk-takers are mostly show-offs looking for attention. If your kid has a tendency to do dangerous things and say ‘Look at me!’ then in-stead give him some extra attention on the trail and divert his thinking away from doing things to ‘impress’ you or the other children.”

Related articles:
g Sibling rivalry on the hiking trail
g It’s OK for kids to get dirty on the trail!
g How to keep kids from being noisy on the trail
g Watch for kids who are ‘risk-takers’ on day hikes

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.