Adventure has always been a priority for my wife, Marypat, and me. So when we decided to have children, we promised each other to do all we could to make the great outdoors part of the family equation. To our delight, not only have our kids--Ruby, age nine, Sawyer, 11, and Eli, 13--embraced our passion for exploring, but seeing nature from their perspective has deepened our appreciation of it. On the following pages, you'll find a variety of trail-tested strategies we've adopted to keep hiking a favorite pastime in our family. Whether you're a household of first-timers or seasoned outdoor enthusiasts, these ideas can serve you as faithfully as a favorite pair of hiking boots.

Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Updated June 2005.