Isabel and Sofia went hiking on Saturday. Sofia's group (The Frogs) are gone from 9:30 am - 1:20 pm and Isabel's group (The Foxes) leaves at the same time and usually gets back around 3:45 pm.
I went hiking as a child as well. The organisation is called Friluftsfrämjandet (Association for the promotion of outdoor living - roughly translated) and it is a co-ed organisation. I started in Mulle at 5 years old and progressed through the different age groups until I quit at 14 years old.
There are similarities with the Scouts, but it is less organised. They only meet for 7-8 times in Spring and Fall, and only on weekends. No regular meetings in the weeks and no badges.
Both Isabel and Sofia started when they were 1 year old in the first age group available. Which meant 1 hour in a park with parents present. Sofia will stay in her group another year and move up to the one Isabel is in now once she turns 7 next year.
Isabel will probably stay in her group another two years. I think they move up to the next age group at 11 years old. That group gets a lot more say in what activities they do. They have more sleep-overs and more adventurous activities - canoeing, rock climbing, longer walks. All to prepare for a week long trip to the North of Sweden to go hiking in Fjällen (the Scandinavian mountain range).
I quit just before our trip to Fjällen, which I sort of regret today. I was 14 - I worried about getting my period while we were away. Silly I know.
They both love being away and come home smelling of wood smoke and forest.
