If your child is hiking, here are recommended preparations:

Wear:
- Shoes, comfortable (ankle-height in winter)
- Something orange (in fall hunting season)

Backpack:
- Water
- Food
- Socks, spare (in case wet)
- Gloves, water-resistant (in winter)
- Extra clothing layers (in winter)
- Foot traction, such as MicroSpikes (in winter)
- Bug protection (in spring)
- Sun protection (in summer)

Car Bag:
- Home-trip clothes (in case wet)
- Snack (food and drink)
- Entertainment (for boring drive)

Back at Home:
- Check for ticks (rare but serious)

Notes:
- In winter the best type of clothing is water-minimizing (cotton is poor; polyester is good)
- In winter the boot top should be sealed from snow (elastic, pull-string, or gaiter)