Teens hiking the trail

[holyminnow]

Anyone know of any laws preventing teens from being on the trail alone? I have 2 teens out there now, ages 14 and 17 (he'll be 18 in 5 weeks) and apparently a sheriff and park ranger are looking for them. They passed the word with other hikers and said something about "unaccompanied minors". Our kids have calling cards with their blog info and parental contact that they are handing out. We've had other section and day hikers contact us, send us photos and updates. But apparently someone checked out their blog and saw their ages and contacted authorities. Any suggestions?

[mweinstone]

no one can help you here cause you might be the minors posting. and runnaways. or worse. sorry. im sure you can see that.

[The Counselor]

Worse he could be a Navy Seal. You are a little much.

[holyminnow]

Are you the moderator? And I am the parent. I thought WhiteBlaze would be a safe place to ask this question. Thanks for your help.

[holyminnow]

I agree,someone should be able to offer something constructive.

[scudder]

If they were my kids and I received this sort of info, I think i'd get proactive and call said ranger or sheriff hq and try to get the story directly. I'm sure appropriate action can be taken. Not a lawyer, but there are provisions for emancipation of minors which i'd guess vary from state to state.

[WingedMonkey]

Which park? Which sheriff or county? What kind of or duration of hike?

[kanga]

he's not the moderator, he's just the resident nut-nut. i agree with scudder, i would contact the rangers myself and talk to them. i do not know what the rules are though. i used to hike that AT regularly as a teen and i never had an issue.

[Rain Man]

I sent a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old to Argentina and Panama, respectively, each for a year. I must be an awful parent!

(Of course, they were with AFS, the oldest and bestest exchange student program, approved by the US State Dept and the foreign governments too, and living with vetted families and with regularly contacts with official liaisons.)

What about contacting the ATC and see what they have to say about your question? I imagine they've had many, many teenagers hiking the trail in past years.

Seems to me (absent more information, such as why they aren't in school) a sad case of busy-bodies who believe the only good parenting is "helicopter" parenting, which I happen to think is among the worst parenting.

Here's hoping your kids are having a great hike and the time of their lives (as long as the sheriff isn't looking for them for other reasons).

RainMan

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[holyminnow]

They are headed towards Fontana Dam today. And they are planning a thru-hike.

[Enic]

I don't think it will be as easy to get an answer as you think. Kind of like asking if you can carry a firearm or six inch knife on the trail. The trail is still under the law of local, state, and federal rule... depending on where your teens are hiking. I have no problem with a responsible young backpacker, who is experienced, being out without parental supervision. That said, a sheriff, or local children services advocate could consider it neglect if the teens are not adequatley outfitted or mentally prepared for a hike without a adult supervisor. Good luck. I hope everything turns out good for you, and their trip.

[Creepwood]

I checked the ATC website and didn't see any mention of policy regarding minors. Did a little googling after that and still didn't come up with anything. I think your best bet is to figure out what park they are in and find the website and start looking around. Personally I don't see any harm in it. I hope your kids are having fun, this will just add to the thrill i'm sure.

I hope I don't get black flagged for helping you......tehehe

[holyminnow]

My kids have camped and hiked for years. This is their first backpacking experience but they have first aid training, wilderness survival training, and are really responsible. They are both Boy Scouts, the older one is in Civil Air Patrol and he's also a lifeguard. They are home schooled so their school requirements are being met as well. I'm hoping this is just a case of nosy people! They are so psyched to be out there. They are fully outfitted and financed by their loving family back home. Check out their blog at hikingitat.blogspot.com

[holyminnow]

I called the ATC and left a message for them asking if there were any restrictions. I suppose this will make for some interesting trail journals!

[WingedMonkey]

They are headed towards Fontana Dam today. And they are planning a thru-hike.

You can't blame law enforcement for thinking teens, especialy a 14 y/o are AWOL if it's during a school season with out adults. I would suggest some sort of legal documents that can be easily checked showing they are under your supervision and permission.
They will probably still be stopped and it will be a matter of how easy it is to be checked and cleared and on their way.
Like others have said state parks and local counties may have some rules of their own. It couldn't hurt to be polite to the law and to adults asking them the same damn questins over and over.
There was a 17 year old going on 18 few years ago, but 14 is new territory.

[Feral Bill]

Try and get some documentation regarding your permission for them to be out and their home schooling status to the boys, with contact information. For fun, look up threads about fully independent adults who's parents are trying to keep them off the trail because they'll be murdered and/or eaten by bears. Best of luck to your kids.

FB

[kayak karl]

when they hit fontana and need to fill out there permit, they will need to be 18 to do that. they can lie though.
what incident started this? just a blog? what state do you live in? that will help with how much of this falls back on you all.

[GoldenBear]

Specifically

http://definitions.uslegal.com/c/child-abandonment/

"A person commits the offense of child abandonment when he or she, as a parent, guardian, or other person having physical custody or control of a child, without regard for the mental or physical health, safety, or welfare of that child, knowingly leaves that child who is under the age of 13 without supervision by a responsible person over the age of 14 for a period of 24 hours or more"

Since the children are over the age of 13, "abandonment" does not seem to be an issue.

http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwi...tes/define.cfm

"Neglect is frequently defined as the failure of a parent or other person with responsibility for the child to provide needed food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision such that the child's health, safety, and well-being are threatened with harm"

The law, as you can see, is ambiguous, and intentionally so; because each case has to be handled individually. A parent, for instance, can NOT drop off fourteen year old children at a trail head with sleeping bags and some food, drive away, and then claim, "I fully provided the children with all their needed food, shelter, and supervision -- if they can't survive on a wilderness trail, that's not MY problem!" Whether or not you are fulfilling your parental duties is NOT something that you can just claim out of thin air, this is something only the law can determine. The fact that sheriffs want to speak with the children is a GOOD sign, it means they are doing their jobs.

Will they conclude your children have been adequately provided with what they need for this situation? Can't say. Neither can anyone on this site without a LOT more info than you can actually provide. I suggest you consult an attorney specializing in family law.

[holyminnow]

There was no incident. Someone just learned their ages and I guess they are trying to "protect" my kids. Ugh. We live in Delaware.
Really- two teenagers staying out of trouble, setting big goal for themselves of thru-hiking the AT, and someone had to find something wrong with it. I don't mind that people don't agree with our parenting style and plans to send our kids on the AT, but really- contacting the authorities?? What are they going to do, drag my kids off the trail- well I suppose the boys wouldn't really mind that as long as a comfy mattress and some hearty food were included!!!!!
I'm not sure what Sheriff dept or Park Service is looking for them. Other hikers passed the info onto the boys after being questioned about the boys whereabouts. Apparently they haven't found them yet! In the event that they are "caught" we've told the boys to have the authorities contact us and to go without a fuss with them if need be. I would hate for their trip to be sidetracked. The older boy, Tom, turns 18 in May.

[Penguin]

Just don't even worry about it! No one is looking for them if they already are out of Park Service Jurisdiction. My best advice is to have the 17 yr old say he's 18 if any person asks, I mean ANY person. Then he would be the responsible adult. No law says that he needs to show ID to any rangers either. I don't think you will see any law enforcement on trail besides in a National Park anyway. No one will ever ask how old your sons. Just don't worry and live free. Besides in 5 weeks the 17 yr old will be 18 and can legally be responsible for his younger brother. I understand your distrust for the government, and fear that people will try to get you in trouble.