How We Teach Hiking

Hiking

At Avid4 Adventure for kids in Colorado, California, Oregon, Washington and Minnesota, we teach every kid—from first-time adventurers to experienced athletes, from pre-K through 12th grade—how fun and empowering being active outdoors can be. As they hike, bike, climb and paddle, kids build lasting skills and newfound confidence, igniting a passion for being active that lasts their whole lives.

Over the river and through the woods, teach your child to love the Great Outdoors with Avid4 Adventure! Our summer hiking programs gets kids into nature and teaches them important skills, like identifying risks and being aware of their surroundings. They’ll gain the skills they need to hike with confidence anywhere!

Day Camps Resident Overnight Camps Expedition Overnight Camps
Skills Progression - Hiking
Camps
Safety
Skills Progression - Hiking
Camps
Safety

Skills Progression - Hiking

Every camper at Avid4 Adventure receives a passport outlining the skills we’ll teach at camp. Given that campers have varying levels of expertise with our sports, instructors group campers according to ability to provide them the right level of challenge. Below is a list of skills we take campers through hiking at our multi-sport camps.

  • Level 1:
    • I have learned the Leave No Trace principles.
    • I have learned about a few local plants & animals.
    • I have learned about great explorers in history.
    • I have made a map from our hike.
    • I know what to bring on a hike.
    • I have sat in silence for 2 minutes to listen to my surroundings.
    • I have learned how to orient myself to North, South, East, & West using my natural surroundings.
  • Level 2:
    • I have identified examples of poor Leave No Trace on a hike.
    • I have identified native plants & animals on a hike.
    • I have hiked blindfolded on a trail trusting my friends to guide the way.
    • I have been taught how to use a compass.
    • I can build a shelter.
    • I know how to stay found.
  • Level 3:
    • I can teach the Leave No Trace Principles to a friend or group.
    • I can identify harmful and helpful plants.
    • I can find and treat fresh water.
    • I can lead my group on a hike.
    • I have identified native animal tracks.
    • I can find and treat fresh water.
    • I know how to use my group members to help find a lost hiker.
  • Level 4:
    • I can lead my group on a trail new to me using a map.
    • I can orient a topographic map using a compass.
    • I know how to use the bathroom outdoors.
    • I have learned how different cloud formations can help predict weather.
    • I have learned how to orient to the cardinal directions using a map and compass.
    • I can shoot a bearing with a compass.
    • I know how to keep myself safe when encountering lightning.

Camps

We offer multi-sport day camps for entering pre-K – 7th graders that include hiking as part of the programming.  Our overnight camps offer plenty of hiking opportunities for entering 1st – 10th graders, from half-day hikes to multi-day expeditions in the backcountry:

Explorer –  At this day camp, kids entering K – 1st start exploring local recreation spots while building confidence in different adventure sports daily–biking, hiking, canoeing, and kayaking.  Our hikes for this age will teach campers about the flora and fauna around them and Leave-No-Trace principles as they start building awareness of their surroundings and respect for the natural world.  We build in plenty of time for snacks and games to keep the hiking day fun!

Skills & Adventure –  In these multi-sport day camps, we spend one day hiking, taking campers out to beautiful local trails teaching them about flora and fauna and the principles of Leave No Trace as they expand their understanding of the natural world.  Skills camp is for entering 2nd – 4th graders while Adventure camp is for entering 5th – 7th graders. 

Overnight camp – At both Mt. Evans (entering 1st – 6th graders) and Windy Peak (7th-10th graders) overnight camp locations, hiking opportunities range from a day hike to full-week expeditions. Campers learn how to prepare gear and food for their journey, learn navigation skills, experience beautiful settings and wildlife, and enjoy overnight camp outs.  Please visit the overnight camp section of our website for specific program details.  

Please visit the website page for your camp location to learn more about the trails we hike on.

Safety

While no outdoor adventure is totally risk-free, we work hard to minimize risk.  Every activity starts with an environmental briefing. Here, campers assess their natural surroundings and the potential risks involved. With the guidance of their instructors, they determine ways the group can stay safe. As a result, kids learn how to approach new challenges with intelligence and confidence. We meet campers where they’re at and provide opportunities for skill development and personal growth.

Instructors ensure that campers remain well hydrated throughout their adventures with extra water on-hand and reapply sunscreen regularly. All instructors are CPR and Wilderness First Aid certified, and many have additional certifications.

Read more on our approach to safety

  • Skills Progression - Hiking

    Every camper at Avid4 Adventure receives a passport outlining the skills we’ll teach at camp. Given that campers have varying levels of expertise with our sports, instructors group campers according to ability to provide them the right level of challenge. Below is a list of skills we take campers through hiking at our multi-sport camps.

    • Level 1:
      • I have learned the Leave No Trace principles.
      • I have learned about a few local plants & animals.
      • I have learned about great explorers in history.
      • I have made a map from our hike.
      • I know what to bring on a hike.
      • I have sat in silence for 2 minutes to listen to my surroundings.
      • I have learned how to orient myself to North, South, East, & West using my natural surroundings.
    • Level 2:
      • I have identified examples of poor Leave No Trace on a hike.
      • I have identified native plants & animals on a hike.
      • I have hiked blindfolded on a trail trusting my friends to guide the way.
      • I have been taught how to use a compass.
      • I can build a shelter.
      • I know how to stay found.
    • Level 3:
      • I can teach the Leave No Trace Principles to a friend or group.
      • I can identify harmful and helpful plants.
      • I can find and treat fresh water.
      • I can lead my group on a hike.
      • I have identified native animal tracks.
      • I can find and treat fresh water.
      • I know how to use my group members to help find a lost hiker.
    • Level 4:
      • I can lead my group on a trail new to me using a map.
      • I can orient a topographic map using a compass.
      • I know how to use the bathroom outdoors.
      • I have learned how different cloud formations can help predict weather.
      • I have learned how to orient to the cardinal directions using a map and compass.
      • I can shoot a bearing with a compass.
      • I know how to keep myself safe when encountering lightning.

  • Camps

    We offer multi-sport day camps for entering pre-K – 7th graders that include hiking as part of the programming.  Our overnight camps offer plenty of hiking opportunities for entering 1st – 10th graders, from half-day hikes to multi-day expeditions in the backcountry:

    Explorer –  At this day camp, kids entering K – 1st start exploring local recreation spots while building confidence in different adventure sports daily–biking, hiking, canoeing, and kayaking.  Our hikes for this age will teach campers about the flora and fauna around them and Leave-No-Trace principles as they start building awareness of their surroundings and respect for the natural world.  We build in plenty of time for snacks and games to keep the hiking day fun!

    Skills & Adventure –  In these multi-sport day camps, we spend one day hiking, taking campers out to beautiful local trails teaching them about flora and fauna and the principles of Leave No Trace as they expand their understanding of the natural world.  Skills camp is for entering 2nd – 4th graders while Adventure camp is for entering 5th – 7th graders. 

    Overnight camp – At both Mt. Evans (entering 1st – 6th graders) and Windy Peak (7th-10th graders) overnight camp locations, hiking opportunities range from a day hike to full-week expeditions. Campers learn how to prepare gear and food for their journey, learn navigation skills, experience beautiful settings and wildlife, and enjoy overnight camp outs.  Please visit the overnight camp section of our website for specific program details.  

    Please visit the website page for your camp location to learn more about the trails we hike on.

  • Safety

    While no outdoor adventure is totally risk-free, we work hard to minimize risk.  Every activity starts with an environmental briefing. Here, campers assess their natural surroundings and the potential risks involved. With the guidance of their instructors, they determine ways the group can stay safe. As a result, kids learn how to approach new challenges with intelligence and confidence. We meet campers where they’re at and provide opportunities for skill development and personal growth.

    Instructors ensure that campers remain well hydrated throughout their adventures with extra water on-hand and reapply sunscreen regularly. All instructors are CPR and Wilderness First Aid certified, and many have additional certifications.

    Read more on our approach to safety

Hiking Photo Gallery

Explorer

Skills

Adventure

Overnight Camp Expeditions