For even the most seasoned outdoor enthusiasts, camping with small children can seem daunting. Weeklong treks in the backcountry, or short day trips to a local park--both require extensive planning when children are involved. But why should parents abandon their outdoor activities when children become a part of the family? With a little extra preparation, parents can share their love of the outdoors and inspire family adventures from the very beginning of their children's lives.

Marlyn Doan offers advice gained through her own excursions with children in "The Sierra Club Family Outdoors Guide: Hiking, Backpacking, Camping, Bicycling, Water Sports, and Winter Activities with Children." The 300-page guide, originally published in 1979 as "Starting Small in the Wilderness," is available through the Maryland Chapter for $6 (plus $2 shipping and handling), half the publisher's list price.

Let a youngster lead the group - Doan says they'll discover renewed energy and forge on with pride. Keep snacks handy for quick treats and energizers. Sing songs and play "I spy" games along the trail. Teach kids to keep a nature diary, bringing home sketched memories of animal tracks, insects, birds and plants they discover.

This handy guide offers advice for any family getting started enjoying the outdoors together. Doan writes from experience, and tips both the experienced adventurer and the novice car-camper. She believes childhood is the perfect time to learn values of low-impact appreciation of nature and that parents are the best teachers. Her advice ranges from keeping tired hikers motivated, to keeping sleepy infants dry.

Doan refers readers to doctors and outdoor experts for advice on infant sunscreen and pack size. Her fundamental recommendation: Try it at home first. From baby formulas to tents, she suggests many tromps around the backyard in new packs and nights under the sprinkler, especially for fussy sleepers. The guide p rovides detailed drawings and instructions for making your own child-size sleeping bag, raingear or soft pack. She says her son was so fond of his personalized soft pack that he slept with it during several of his first backcountry trips.

The guide includes checklists for everything from cooking essentials to bike repair kits. Doan offers hints to keep in mind when traveling with children like keeping hikes manageable, checking spots before bringing kids along, and always bringing small comforts, like a favorite toy or blanket, to ease the transition away from home. She offers tips for enjoying a wide range of activities, including sleeping under the stars without a tent and skiing with the little ones in tow. All the while, she emphasizes ways to teach children the stigma of being a litterbug.

Well-organized, though repetitious, the format is ample for quick reference and specific questions. Each chapter contains several subheadings, and the index offers easy access to everything from allergies to zippers. This guide should be a necessity for anyone sharing their love of the outdoors with children.

"Nothing prevents the single parent from exploring the outdoors with children. However, do not go on a wilderness trip as the only adult. For must adults, traveling alone in the back country is questionable procedure. If you are alone with children, the practice is even more inappropriate since you will have no other adult support in event of an emergency." (Page 23)

"Making your own child's sleeping bag is simple. First decide on the shape you want. The less extra space inside, the greater the warmth. The most efficient bag design for trapping body heat is the mummy shape. Some people prefer a rectangular-shaped bag for hot-weather camping. This style allows for more air circulation, and it permits body heat to escape. A rectangular bag is not effective for really cold weather or for nights when temperatures drop appreciably." (Page 141)