Kids trip planning help/suggestion

“I want to put a trip together for just me and my son. He's 11, is interested in what he's interested in and that's about it. He's very curious and loves to learn...but what about what he wants. He doesn't do that well in school though is improving. I think his C's and B's compared to his sisters high A's makes him think he's a little bit of a failure. He doesn't really enjoy Scouts and is insistant he doesn't want to move to Boy Scouts. When we do Science Projects for school he gets into it and enjoys it. He is physically very small and I think much more self conscious about it than he'll admit. He's the proverbial 60# weekling...as was I at that age.

With all of that as a back ground, my thinking is that we do some sort of trip that is somewhat epic. Not neccessarily super hard core, but something to enjoy and hard enough to feel like he's accomplished soemthing. I think that we do it where he is the planner and I'm the helper. We research places to go together, make a decision then plan the trip. Simultaneously to this, we go on an exercise regimen for the sake of doing this hard trip. I want to dangle a goal out there to work towards while making him physically stronger as opposed to working out for the sake of it. I think once the habit is established it's more likely to stick...that goes for me too.


So, what are some trip thoughts?

I thought about a trip here local on the Pinhoti and do it before school was out due to heat. I don't think that gives us that epic goal to work towards or enough time to really work out. There wouldn't be the feeling of really working towards a distant goal, so I think I should pass on that as an idea. The same goes for Pine Mtn, GA.

I like the idea of a loop in the Smokies. The downside to me, is the camping in pre-determined places. I sort of like the idea of just dropping for the day when we're ready and having the place to ourselves. This doesn't preclude the Smokies though.

Another thought is some sort of loop up around the Standing Indian Mtn area of the AT and maybe use Kemsey Creek trail. The Standing Indian Campground would be available for the first nights camp. I'm picturing leaving work on a Thur afternoon, do the driving, camp somewhere, and then start the hike on Fri morning, so this might work out well.

Roan comes to mind too, but would require a shuttle.

Any other thoughts on either scope, intent, or locations?

Thansk a bunch.”

“how is his attention span? Is a long term planning and work out regimen going to keep him interested? Also, the Smokies are always a good option. You know the terrain can be challenging. I'd work some science into it if he likes science. Check on species migrations and such..The firefly thing is in like April or June or something??”

“how about Savage Gulf. You can do the rim trails just to get him use to it”

“Some of our best eagle scouts were the 60 lb. weaklings too. Just sayin...


The Smokies have some cool science programs at the Tremont center”

“The planning and all would be small doses each day, as opposed to sitting down fo hours so I think that would handle the attention. The nature askpect of the Smokies would be good with science. he's been going for years and loves the park.

I hadn't considered Savage Gulf. I'll put that on the list.”

“I almost didn't get him out of Treemont when we went a few years back. That's a good suggestion, I'll go to their website and see what's going on.”

“What about the conasaugua or jacks river trails in N. Ga? those are a lot of fun, multiday hikes with dozens of river crossings...”

“I second Savage Gulf, although I would start at Stone door and take him into the gulf.”

“close to the Smokies, but wihtout the restrictions is Joyce Kilmer Wilderness. there's creeks, rivers, at least one big waterfall, good views, etc... get a map and look at the Naked Ground trail and Hangover Lead.”

“Sitting on the outcrop at Hangover LEad you can face east and see Fontana Lake, the dam and a large swath of GSMNP. You'll likely be there alone as well.

Congrats on the NIT win last night, btw.

Hope y'all win the tourney.”

“I have a Kilmer map. That's on teh list. That may actually be the one.

Thanks, I sure hope we can win tomorrow.”

“your son sounds a lot like mine...it has to be his idea or he doesn't want to do it...i'd involve him heavily on selecting the location...maybe provide him with some good pics and descriptions of the areas and things that can be done...the smokeys are nice cause you have different eco systems, especially if you start a clingmans and work your way down...plus you got all the additional benefits of a national park, visitors center, nature center, programs etc”

“Okeefenokee maybe?”

“The Okeefenokee is a place I really want to visit.”

“You know chili...that trip we talked about still lingers. I'm just awful skittish about going there in May or June.

thrifty - he might like that. he does enjoy the Smokies and it's awfully neat to cross those zones. If we didn't have conflicts in mid June I'd jump on Gregory Bald or Roan Mtn for the flame azaleas or rhoddo bloom”