Hiking with a group is great and is always a unique experience, as you can see each other’s reactions on the same trail. Plus, group hiking is safer than trekking alone. But there are things your group must consider to ensure a successful group hiking trip.
Group hiking requires more ideas to ingest for a safer and enjoyable trek. You can protect your local trails if you form a group that will care for them. So, if you’re planning to organize a group hike and be a knowledgeable leader, remember the tips we will be discussing below.
In this article, we will be sharing tips for organizing a group hike and recommendations for leading your group. Topics to tackle comprise the best activities to do while hiking with friends and the most applicable quotes about hiking.
Whether you’re going on a quick day hike or a multi-day backpacking trip, you’ll need a reliable hiking backpack to help you carry and store your hiking gear. If you’re not sure about which pack you should get, check out our article about the best hiking backpacks to see which ones are our favorites.
Tips for organizing a group hike
Organizing a group hike may be more complex than what you initially thought. To help you with this activity, we came up with a few tips that will help you successfully plan a group hike.
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Have a meeting with your group
Meet the people who are interested in hiking in a spacious area. Emphasize the reasons for going on a trip. Explain that there are problems that you may encounter, and offer some presumed solutions.
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Look for supporters
Look for people who are willing to help and guide you. Look for more resources. Find someone who is proficient in providing pieces of advice about hiking trips.
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Hold another meeting
Update your members on the trip, and observe their readiness. Provide them with the information they must follow. Discuss the background of your trip to those who are assured to join. Present your plan to be organized and cite your goals. Assign other responsibilities to other members of the group.
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Finalize your group
It is time to set up your group. You may now create the name of your group. It may be creative or simple. It may define your entire group, based on your characteristics and how or when you met your group mates.
The group’s name must be different from any other group’s name. At this time, you will also need to talk about each person’s responsibilities for themselves. Everyone must manage their own selves and oversee their belongings. Finally, each member should be cooperative and attentive at all times.
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Provide people with roles and responsibilities
Discipline your group members. It is the easiest way to keep your group organized. As your group becomes bigger, it is harder for you to cope with more hikers and organize meetings.
For a better organization, you must have a treasurer to record the expenses and funds, and a secretary to record every minute of each official meeting. Assigning a vice president is also very important when the president is not available. It is not only the president who can lead meetings or any other forums.
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Open your group to other hiking enthusiasts
In order to entice more members, you should seem open and approachable to other hike enthusiasts. It’s also a way to gather more public support, so promote properly. Share the information or background of your group. You should also be active on social media, as it’s a big edge.
Hiking helps a person unwind. Apart from the adventure, you can create a memorable bond with your company. This can also increase and leave a quality impression on your partner. So, is hiking a good first date? Read our article to know more about the pros and cons of this activity.
Activities to do while hiking with friends
There are a lot of hiking activities that you can do with your friends that will surely make your day. You can create a different range of excitement that will bring you many health benefits. Therefore, if you’re planning to go group hiking, you should list down and never miss out on the activities that you will be doing.
Geocaching
Among all hiking activities, geocaching is the most exciting outdoor game. Hikers who venture into this game must have GPS units. The GPS could be provided by a watch or smartphone. In this game, the hikers need to search for hidden objects at any points, with proper coordinates. The hidden objects come in different sizes and shapes.
This activity’s rules sometimes vary. You can keep the found item as a reward or token, or you may write your name on the logbook to attest that you found the cache, and then return the disguised object to the place where you found it.
The essence of this thrilling game is not exactly to find the hidden object, but rather to explore and discover new places with good friends.
Fun fishing
If your hiking trail is located near water, such as a river or an open lake, you should bring some fishing equipment. Fishing will make your trip more fun and interesting. Fishing with your friends may also bring the best memories from your hiking adventure. Fishing is also the opportunity to create a great bonding experience. But catching fishes is not easy and simple; you’ll need to learn some tricks. Of course, those who know how to fish will be more eager to go fishing, and will always consider fishing on every hiking outing.
Survival games
Survival games combine exploration and freedom that hasten sighting your goals and clearly offer a coherent sense of progress. It is preferable for adventurous players.
Partaking in survival games in the jungle will give you excitement. With such activities, you can also learn significant skills that can help you avoid risks, and can save you if you ever get lost while hiking.
Swim hiking
Swimming on hiking trips is one of the most refreshing activities, but there are things you need to understand before getting into a swimming session. For instance, you need to ensure that you are protected or away from danger when swimming in any natural waters. For that, examine the area and the state of the water.
Take hiking photos and videos
Hiking will offer you great sceneries. You will be amazed by what nature has to offer. So, never miss an opportunity to capture fascinating scenes. Even random hiking photos and videos are fine.
Sometimes, a prepared hiking trip can offer you a chance for a videography and photography job. But the most important thing is to not forget to pack your camera, as you will miss photo opportunities, and the best candid moments.
Play hide-and-seek
Among all hiking activities, hide and seek is the most traditional game. Your friend and family, or any other group member can join. It’s a more familiar game to everyone than treasure-hunting and geocaching, because it is a simple game.
The group will just hide, and someone will search for other group members and find them. It’s a very compelling game when played in nice company.
Hiking is an excellent team building activity. As trails aren’t always easy to navigate, communication and problem-solving can go a long way. Read our article to discover four great team-building activities to utilize while you and your team are on a hike.
Five best quotes when hiking with friends
To get you more excited about a hiking adventure, look for wise words that remind you how lovely it is to explore the world. You can be an avid hiker if you have witnessed the wonders of our land.
“I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.”– Robert Frost
“In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous.”– Aristotle
“Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in an office or mowing the lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.”– Jack Kerouac
“In every walk with nature, one received far more than he seeks.” – John Muir
“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” – Sir Edmund Hillary
Conclusion
If you have always enjoyed your hikes alone, perhaps it’s time for you to give group hiking a try. It is safer and you will be able to enjoy activities that you won’t normally be able to do when you’re hiking alone.
Similar to any kind of outdoor trip, always ensure that you are fully prepared when going on a group hike. Know how to make your party safe with proper gear, and be well-equipped for any kind of situation. Do some research to lead and guide yourself and your group to a secure and enjoyable hike.
By organizing a group hiking trip, you and your group will be able to experience the great outdoors together. If you want to share this experience with other people, your group can invite more hiking fanatics and nature lovers. With the information that we shared above, we’re confident that you’ll be able to guide your group to a successful hike that they will fondly remember.
