Hiking is an easy and enjoyable activity that can quickly turn into a lifelong passion. And while it's as easy as setting one foot in front of another on a path through the woods, sometimes the fleeting attention spans of kids can make that difficult. That's where the rangers of Shenandoah National Park come in.

On Sunday, July 12, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the rangers will be offering their "Hiking With Children" program. The program was designed for parents who have wanted to go hiking with their children but worried about what to do to keep them interested, entertained, and safe.

Leading the program will be Jeff Alt, noted author of A Walk for Sunshine and avid hiker. He will offer you pointers for how to share nature with your kids for a fun and safe outdoor adventure.>

Jeff has hiked the more than 2,100 mile length of the Appalachian Trail on his own. During the summer of 2007, with his wife and extended family, he carried his 21-month-old daughter on a 50-mile hike across a swath of Ireland. At the “Hiking With Children” program, Jeff will provide tips on how families with children can experience nature together on the trails in Shenandoah.

The “Hiking With Children” seminar will begin in the Massanutten Room at Big Meadows Lodge, mile 51.2 on Skyline Drive The program is free but reservations are requested. There is a $15 per-car entrance fee to the park, good for seven days.

To register for the seminar, go to the Shenandoah National Park website.

“Hiking With Children” is one of the Shenandoah National Park Resource Seminars designed for those who want to get to know their national park a little more personally. Seminars provide a more in-depth experience to learn from scientists, researchers, educators, and other experts about resource issues and recreational opportunities in Shenandoah National Park.

Future seminars include The Basics of Family Camping, July 18-19, 2009, and The American Chestnut: Restoring Forest Majesty, Saturday, August 22, 2009.

Members of the Shenandoah National Park Association receive a 20% discount on seminars with a fee. The Shenandoah National Park Resource Seminars are co-sponsored by the Shenandoah National Park Association and ARAMARK, the park’s official concessioner.

For more information, contact the park’s Education Office at 540-999-3500, extension 3489.