Shanti Hodges had a baby in 2013. She was a new mom and didn’t have friends who were parents. So she joined moms’ groups, which were great, but they were all indoors.
It was summer and Hodges, who lives in Portland, wanted to be outside. So she invited parents to come for a hike and bring their kids. That first hike, five parents came. Then it was 15. It grew some more and was so popular she created an email newsletter. Soon, even that wasn’t enough. She was getting so many texts and emails asking “When is your next hike?” that she built a website called Hike it Baby to keep track of everything.
To say it’s been a success is a bit of an understatement. In the summer of 2014, Hodges created a way for new branches to form and use the Hike it Baby resources. Now, a little more than a year later, there are more than 160 branches, including one that started up in Snohomish County this past summer. The Facebook group for the local chapter already has nearly 300 members. Several hikes usually are offered each week.
The Hike it Baby idea is extremely simple. Anyone can lead a hike, although leaders are encouraged to attend at least one hike first. Hikes are free.
Leaders choose for themselves what works best: a leisurely stroll at the pace of a toddler, or a quicker hike with all kids secured in backpacks or carriers.
Erin Graham, who started the Snohomish County branch and is the branch co-leader, likes to lead hikes near her home in Mountlake Terrace. She chooses times and locations that work for her.
“I lead those toddler-led hikes so my child can get out and run around and explore nature and get dirty and make new friends,” Graham said. “It’s really awesome. We’re all kind of going through the same things because our kids are roughly the same age.”
Graham led a hike on a sunny day near the end of October. Seven moms showed up with their toddlers. After a welcoming circle, in which everyone introduced themselves and their kid, the group headed off, in fits and starts, around the edge of Lake Ballinger. Some kids walked, some rode in strollers, some were carried.
The focus was clearly on the journey, not the destination.
At one point, Graham’s daughter, Leah fell in the grass and started to cry. The nearest mom, Kristen Roehr, picked her up. Leah stopped crying.
“Oh, you got dirt on your face,” Roehr said. “I guess that’s all part of the fun.”
Graham says the motto is “no hiker left behind.” If someone needs to stop to change a diaper or nurse a baby, no one minds. They’ll stop and wait. And if you don’t know how to change a diaper or feed a baby easily outside? Someone will help you.
Hodges emphasizes that Hike it Baby is not a workout group. It’s a social group— a place for parents to find companionship and support. If everyone gets some exercise, so much the better, but it’s hard to count on much hiking at the pace of a toddler.
Hikes cover the spectrum and all ages are welcome, although most kids are preschoolers or younger. Some trips are gentle strolls through parks or on paved trails, like the Centennial Trail. Other hikes lead to more remote areas, such as some of the trails off of U.S. 2 or the Mountain Loop Highway.
For new moms, Graham said, the group can be particularly helpful. The activity and socialization can help reduce problems with postpartum depression, she said. And, it simply helps get parents and kids outside all year.
“In the Pacific Northwest, it’s hard to get out this time of year because it’s wet and it’s gross in general,” Graham said. “It gets you outside in the fresh air. And you’re more likely to get out if you have other people to go with.”
Everett resident Marisol Osborn, who also leads hikes, agreed. Meeting up with other parents and kids encourages her to get out of the house. And for her, the biggest benefit is that her daughter, Serenity, gets to socialize with other kids.
And kids who have time to run around outside are more likely to take a good long nap, which makes everyone happy. The kids get to enjoy playing with other kids. They get to play with sticks and rocks. They see animals and bugs and learn to appreciate them.
Graham thinks it’s extremely important for her daughter to learn to appreciate and respect the natural world. She sets a good example by picking up trash when she finds it and makes sure to pack out anything the bring with them.
Ashley Sims of Everett leads hikes, including a weekly hike at Japanese Gulch, with her 18-month-old daughter, Anique.
“It forces me to get out,” she said. “If I put it on the calendar, I’ll go. And it makes me not afraid of the weather. It seems like, ‘Oh, if everyone else is outside in the wet, we can be, too.’”
Jessi Loerch: 425-339-3046; jloerch@heraldnet.com..
How it works
Anyone can join a hike. No RSVP is required. You can find out about hikes on the Hike it Baby website, http://hikeitbaby.com or the Facebook group, www.facebook.com/groups/hikeitbabysnohomish. There’s also a group in Seattle, www.facebook.com/groups/hikeitbabyseattle. All hikes are free. Any caregivers are welcome: moms, dads, nannies, anyone who wants to get outdoors.
Hike today
A hike to kick off the a 30-day challenge is today from 9:30 a.m. to noon at Spencer Island in Everett on Nov. 1. The hike is intended to be for kids in a carrier or kids old enough that they they can keep up with adults. Get the details.
30-day challenge
Hike it Baby is offering a 30-day challenge starting today, Nov. 1. You can join the challenge for $2 (or pay more if you can). The money helps support the website. Parents are encouraged to try to hike 30 miles over the month or get outside 30 minutes three times a week. Anyone who joins will get access to a private Facebook group, a place to track your minutes or miles, discounts on gear and a chance to win a wide range of prizes. Get more info at https://hikeitbaby.com/hike-it-baby-30-general.
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