This one is brought to you by real kindergarten teachers! Here are 8 things you learned in kindergarten that will help you step up your hiking game:
1.) Sharing is caring (for anything and everything).
- Translation: Be considerate of others and share the trail.
2.) Get to your favorite spot before someone else does.
- Translation: The early bird gets the worm as they say. Do your research to find the best trail, then get up early to beat the crowd so you really enjoy it.
3.) Paper drinking cartons are impossible to open so bring a one-button push-to-open reusable cup.
- Translation: Bring your favorite reusable water bottle, not a disposable one as single-use products are damaging to our environment. We have a great water bottle option you should check out by the way.
4.) Walk in a straight single file line.
- Translation: If you're descending the trail, step aside and give space to the people climbing up.
5.) Ask for help 1,000,0000 times (even when you don’t really need it).
- Translation: If you're new to hiking, find a friend who is willing to show you the ropes. At minimum, you’ll have some great conversations and at maximum, you’ll make a friend who might lend you some primo gear later, Facebook groups are a great place to start for this.
6.) When you get to a rest area, you have to try and go potty, even if you don’t have to go because you’ll have to go five minutes later – trust me.
- Translation: Definitely try and go potty if the park you're at has them. Otherwise, don’t forget your favorite poop scoop or be prepared to pack it out.
7.) Put things back where you found them.
- Translation: Leave no trace and leave what you find.
8.) Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup. The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
- No translation needed. Now get outside.