Children will be challenged to use their brains, their brawn and the skills they learn from a park ranger to make it through a trail booby trapped with surprises at every bend.
The “Kids vs. Wild” challenge will take place 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, at San Tan Mountain Regional Park, 6533 W. Phillips Road, Queen Creek. Kids of all ages are invited to attend, though Interpretive Ranger Adam Martell warns that some sandy spots in the trail may be tough for toddlers to navigate. As long as a parent is there to carry or guide tiny tots through those spots, they should be fine, he says.
Once they make it out of the wild, Martell will introduce youngsters to a real-life desert survivor (hint: a live animal native to the area).
Children are welcome to pack a lightweight “survival” backpack full of gear they think might come in handy during the roughly 3/4-mile hike. They should wear closed-toe shoes and bring water to drink. This hike is not intended for strollers.
The fee to enter the park is $6 per vehicle. There is no additional charge for the activity. For information, call (480) 655-5554 or visit Maricopa.gov/parks/santan.
