Getting paid for taking kids hiking?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (238277)
Walnut Creek, California
October 7, 2015 3:11pm CST
In one of my (real) jobs, I work with kids who have gotten in trouble at school. Some are aggressive, and some just don't concentrate well in school and are disruptive in class. One of my main activities with these kids (my clients are boys aged 8 through 14) is to take them hiking. It allows them to be "macho men" without it involving violence or defiance. Interestingly, they also seem to open up and talk about their feelings when we're hiking. I'll attach a picture of one of the rock walls we climb pretty regularly. The photo makes it look harder than it really is. If you worked with "troubled" boys, what activities would you use to reduce aggression and defiance, and increase focus and self-esteem?
11 people like this
10 responses
@DaddyEvil (174281)
• United States
8 Oct 15
Hi pony, When my son was having difficulty adjusting to my household over his mother's, I found it very helpful to take him canoeing as well as hiking and climbing... (Personally, I don't care for climbing cliffs, but I have little or no problem watching someone else doing that and cheering him on while he does it!)
My daughter was easier to work with when she had problems like that, but it is difficult to explain how she was easier... We did much the same activities, but I think she was also taking more of her aggression out in Tae Kwan do class than she did with any of the other activities...
Both of them also liked fishing, too. I think the peacefulness of sitting quietly on the bank of a river or the lake was a big help with both of them.
4 people like this
@TheHorse (238277)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Oct 15
I think you're right about the peacefulness. My hunch is that much acting out comes from anxiety/feeling out of control. When you can sit and relax, that relaxation becomes a part of you, and you can bring it to other situations.
3 people like this
@purplealabaster (22085)
• United States
7 Oct 15
Do you think that it is different working with boys with these issues as opposed to girls with these same issues?
I think that hiking is a wonderful activity. If you know karate or yoga or just basic punching and kicking techniques, then these are also good activities to teach them. Of course, the punching and kicking should be done just in the air or at punching bags. It allows them to get out their anger in a constructive way, and it also helps them with focus. When they are able to control themselves better, then they are usually more confident, which helps with their self-esteem.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (238277)
• Walnut Creek, California
7 Oct 15
Male psychologists like me generally get assigned to male clients, since there are more boys in trouble and more female psychologists. But I think it would be much the same with female clients. Outdoor stuff is good. I teach sports (baseball, football, basketball), but nothing related to hitting or punching.
4 people like this
@purplealabaster (22085)
• United States
9 Oct 15
@TheHorse I understand that the hitting and punching can be an issue, especially with children that have aggression issues. However, hitting and punching are not always signs of aggression but rather they can be tools to allow the child a proper outlet to vent their anger and frustration. The key is giving them the proper tools and teaching them what they may and may not hit.
Sports are also great activities. In a group such as the one you are working with, you have enough children to be able to create teams and play sports. If you have less children or want to teach them methods that they can use when they are in a situation at home, for example, then solo physical activities also work.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (238277)
• Walnut Creek, California
9 Oct 15
@purplealabaster I work with these kids one on one. Today I worked with one kid on his baseball/softball skills.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
10 Oct 15
great discussion here. it's amazing how much free therapy there is - hiking, fishing, gardening, animals, sports and games.
p.s. don't you just love it that mylot lets us post pictures in portrait orientation?
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
13 Oct 15
@TheHorse some indicate that they own the picture, some mention if it came from pixabay, some put descriptions about the picture itself.
@TheHorse (238277)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Oct 15
@hereandthere I'm not sure I know how to read captions! Sometimes I put them (captions) in there and sometimes I forget.
@TheHorse (238277)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Oct 15
Thank you. Sometimes it's a bit stressful. But if you have thick skin and stick to the goal, most of them come around. I just hope their improved behavior generalizes to the schools, where they got in trouble in the first place.
2 people like this
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
17 Jan 16
I was looking at the rock wondering how someone has not killed themselves. I guess there is a trail on the land? Any type of physical activity will work, even something as simple as bouncing a ball. I have seen with kids that have add/adhd to help them get focused so they can do school work, running is a really great activity. They go for a jog, get tired out and then are able to sit and concentrate. Medication is also your friend. LOL I am just kidding, I don't actually believe in medicating. It would be a last resort. LOL
@allknowing (153544)
• India
8 Oct 15
I am sure something good will come out this exercise.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
10 Oct 15
i wish there were such programs in these parts myself. bein' out in nature jest seems to bring a bit 'f peace to folks, particularly those with heavy burdens. not bein' in a clinical settin' to me'd be more productive time spent regardless 'f one's age. fer myself? i've taken many out to various ranches, includin' my own when i still 'd possession 'f such. somethin' 'bout ridin', tendin' the horses, the herds, bottle feedin' orphaned calves, doctorin' those that're sick gives 'em a sense 'f self-worth. jest a knowin' that what they've got to contribute to others selflessly is most important. i so admire yer work - big 
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
11 Oct 15
@TheHorse its great fer both critter 'n troubled humans. workin' with horses 's a calmin' effect 's well. i used to 've a friend who'd come out a couple times a week, jest to brush horses 'n take some fer walks. did wonders fer 'er blood pressure 'n she bonded quite well to the horses here she tended - 't the time they were mostly rescued horses who'd been physically abused/'r starved 'fore comin' here.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238277)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Oct 15
@crazyhorseladycx Some of the kids work with right now become almost totally different people when they're around animals.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (69160)
• Centralia, Washington
12 Oct 15
I went on a 5 day hike in my last year of high school. No cell phones then. Nothing modern allowed- no radios etc. That week we lived without civilization and only with what we could carry. A person does talk about most anything on a trip like that.
