I have romped through the woods, off the trail, with my children and their friends before. We had to slide down steep hills using vines and got quite muddy. Relating the story later, more than one adult said, "That's dangerous!"
Is it really? Isn't it what our ancestors have been doing for any million years now? I would think it's in our blood- literally.
There is a mile long (not mile high!) waterfall on a mountain not far from our house that I have climbed any times now. The biggest dangers are slipping and falling (15 feet in some places), getting a deep cut on sharp rock, and, remotely, getting bit by a poisonous viper (they like the water).
I decided though that it verily wasn't so hazardous and to go ahead and climb it with my eight year old son. We wore shorts and t-shirts and coral reef shoes that contribute excellent traction and remain light and flexible in water. We wore rough leather biking gloves and helmets. The helmets weren't very comfortable but thrifty and the gloves are fingerless and worked perfectly. There was no need for hooks or ropes and I read up on the viper beforehand in Case of a bite. My son hiked ahead of me, and he was light sufficient that should he slip I would have been able to catch him. In the very worst scenario I would have broken his fall. all went smooth. The water was beautiful and we had a blast.
I received a lot of annotation from many quarters for taking him on this adventure, but I also received a lot of respect from my son for providing him with the challenge. Personally, I never apologize for nature or it's beauty, and while I see the need to suspect risk, I also comprehend that there is some danger complicated in every particular thing you do on any corner of this earth. I am only too happy to share with my children the wonders and joy of nature; their school sure won't.
