Plan a Father's Day Hike

What You Need:

• Internet access
• Printer and paper
• Red pen
• Measuring tape or ruler
• Markers to decorate (optional)
• Nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate chips (optional)

What You Do:

1. Have your child go online to Google maps and search for your house by typing in your home address.
2. Switch to “Satellite” view to see your house and the surrounding terrain. Zoom in as needed.
3. Print out the satellite view of your home and the surrounding area. Take note of the scale in the lower left-hand corner of the map.
4. Ask your child to draw a path on the map starting at your front door, trailing through the neighbourhood and nearby parks or woods, and then looping around to end at your house. Encourage her to use markers to decorate the map and add local landmarks.
5. Have her use the map's scale to measure the length of the trail. She can do this by placing a string along the trail, measuring the length of the string, then comparing it to the scale. Have her write the total length of the trail on the map.
6. Ask her to estimate how long she thinks it will take to walk the trail. Have her record her estimate on the map.
7. On Father's Day, encourage her to give Dad the map as a gift and explain to him how he chose the trail and mapped out the hike himself.
8. To prepare for the hike, check the weather report and dress accordingly. Put on good walking shoes and be aware of the wildlife in your area. Consider wearing sunscreen and bug spray, and pack plenty of water.
9. Make your own trail mix to take with you by mixing chocolate chips, nuts, and dried fruit together and packing it in a plastic bag.
10. Have your child time the hike and compare the actual time to his estimate. Was her guess close?