Take a Hike: Add variety to a nature hike - American Camp Association

Before going on the hike, ask campers to fold a piece of paper into four or six sections and color each section a different color. When campers hike, have them look for something that matches each color on their paper and write the name, sound, etc., on the corresponding colored square.

Scavenger Hunt Hike

Before going on the hike, make a list of items the group should look for and find. For example, oak tree, bird's nest, deer tracks, a certain flower, walnut, or other items that are indigenous to your area. As a group, campers search for the items and mark them off the list. Unlike a traditional scavenger hunt where individuals and/or teams search on their own for items, encourage the group to stay together and search for item within the established boundaries.

Animal Evidence Hike

Animals often hide when they hear a group of noisy campers hiking through the woods, but the signs of where they have been are everywhere. Campers can look for this "evidence" and identify what type of animal or insect inhabits an area.

For this hike, you will need field guides and animal track guides, magnifying glasses and binoculars, and pencil and paper. Encourage campers to look but not touch.

Discuss with campers the many ways animals make their presence known, such as dropped feathers, food remnants, tracks, tree marking, and droppings. Ask campers to identify as many animal traces as possible. Work together to identify which animal left the evidence behind.

Things to look for:

bird eggshells
cicada castings
cocoons, empty or full
earthworm tracks in mud
eggs laid on leaves
empty insect exoskeletons
feathers
holes in trees
old bird nests and squirrel nests
wasp's nests
sandy ant hills
spider's web

Alphabet Hike

Find something in nature that begins with each letter of the alphabet. Before leaving for the hike, write the letters of the alphabet on a piece of paper. As you walk, look for an animal, a plant, a sound, or a scent for each letter.

Sunrise Hike

Before sunrise, hike to a high point to watch the sun come up. Bring along a ready-made breakfast or cook breakfast on the trail while you watch the new day emerge.