What is the right age to start your kids backpacking? Is it 5? Maybe 8? Or how about 10? Should the children be experienced in the outdoors beforehand? Should they have gone on numerous car camping trips and day hikes to get acclimated first? So many questions!

The American Alpine Institute blog recently published a great blog post about one writer’s experience taking his kids backpacking for the first time.

As a new father myself (I have a 6 week old son), I don’t have to worry about this stuff yet, but it will definitely be in the back of my mind for the next few years. I’m very excited for all the future backpacking trips we might take – I just have to hope my son loves the outdoors as much as I do.