Talking to a 4th grade class tomorrow about my thru hike. Any clever ideas for making

[rjhouser]

I'm going with my full gear, pack, gaiters and bandana on, the works. Wish I had some ATC stickers or something to hand out but it's probably too late for that. Thought about making them all cat can stoves but figured that probably wouldn't go over too well hahaaa. Can't wait!

[rjhouser]

*Making it more interesting or entertaining? (Title cut me off)

[hikerboy57]

maybe treat the class to a meal of instant mashed potatoes and spam singles?

[Feral Bill]

maybe treat the class to a meal of instant mashed potatoes and spam singles?

Gorp might go over better.

[hikerboy57]

Gorp might go over better.

30 dirty little hands sharing a bag of gorp?
i like it.

[Drybones]

Hope you make it out alive.

[BobTheBuilder]

Good for you - kids need to know that real people can do really neat stuff.

[Odd Man Out]

set up your tent to show them your palace.

[Blissful]

My son and I did a talk for second graders. They loved the tiny cookwear, zipping up in our mummy bags. And let them pick out trail names. Pictures of animals, etc is fun too.

[Hoop]

Good for you for encouraging the outdoor life. Maybe it'll plant an idea...

[Zipper]

Setting up your tent outside is a nice addition. I organized my talk in categories instead of talking about my thru hike sequentially. Categories included: What is the AT, exactly? What's the trail like? (lots of pics of the zillion different types of trail.) What did you eat? How did you get water? Where did you sleep? Did you see any wildlife? What was hard? What was fun? Etc.
Hope your talk goes fabulously!

[kayak karl]

don't matter what you tell them they will only remember
1) you could eat as many snicker bars (or candy) that you could carry.
2) you only had to bath once every 4-5 days.

[ChinMusic]

Don't shower

[OzJacko]

They'll probably love being told about toileting on the trail but teachers and parents won't be impressed.
4th grade is old enough to be on web a lot.
Give them a good site or two (not this one - too complex) - maybe a good trailjournal or youtube vid and the ATC etc.

[Another Kevin]

They'll probably love being told about toileting on the trail but teachers and parents won't be impressed.

Wait until someone asks - because someone surely will. Look at the teacher, shrug, and say, "yes, that's something that it's important to learn, because it makes life very unpleasant for others if you don't get it right." Then tell them - because the question is very likely in the back of Teacher's mind, too!

[Velvet Gooch]

They'll probably love being told about toileting on the trail but teachers and parents won't be impressed.

Be sure to tell them that "real backpackers" don't carry a trowel and how many just leave a logjam right in the middle of the trail. It's more realistic

[Velvet Gooch]

Gorp might go over better.

Good ol' raisin and peanut allergies. Also, anaphylaxis

[Feral Bill]

Good ol' raisin and peanut allergies. Also, anaphylaxis

Rats! Another good idea shot down.

[bad biscuit]

many just leave a logjam right in the middle of the trail. It's more realistic

Really? I haven't hiked on the AT yet (still dreaming) but I've NEVER run into this on the many trails I have been on.

[swjohnsey]

Bear or moose poop.