Little Explorers — Berries, Waterfalls & Wild Things (7/12)

A day in the woods at kid speed — perfect for families and anyone who wants to slow down and actually see the forest

Kids don't hike. They investigate. They stop for every interesting rock, crouch down to watch a beetle, taste a berry straight off the branch, and declare a muddy puddle the most important thing they've ever seen. On this trip, we think they're right.

Little Explorers is a gentle, unhurried day in the Catskills designed to move at a child's pace — which turns out to be exactly the right pace for anyone who wants to truly experience the woods rather than just walk through them. We'll pick wild berries, splash under a waterfall, swim in a lake or swimming hole, and leave plenty of room for wherever curiosity leads. Moss. Salamanders. Crayfish under rocks. A particularly good stick. All of it counts.

No summit. No schedule. Just a perfect day outside.

Adventure Snapshot

🌿 Activity: Wild berry picking, waterfall splash, swimming, and free exploration
🥾 Distance: ~2 miles total, at kid speed, with plenty of time for stops
⛰️ Elevation: Minimal
🧭 Difficulty: Easy — perfect for children and adults who want a mellow day in the woods
📍 Location: TBD- we go where the berries are!
👥 Small group experienceActivity: Wild berry harvesting, a bit of swimming, and a trip to a brewery 
⏱️ Duration: ~6hrs total

What You'll Do

🍇 Pick wild blueberries, huckleberries, raspberries, and blackberries — and eat as many as you find 

💦Splash under a waterfall — bring a change of clothes🌿 Insights into seasonal plants, ecology, and the surrounding landscape
🏊  Swim in a pristine mountain lake or swimming hole
🐸 Explore whatever catches your eye — moss, critters, rocks, animal tracks, and more

What's Included?

🚐 Transportation to and from NYC
☕ Breakfast: Fresh fruit, donuts, coffee, and tea for the ride up
🧀 Lunch: A healthy, gourmet lunch and snacks (vegetarian/vegan options available)
🌄 On-trail guidance from an expert NYS licensed guide

The Destination Backcountry Difference

Expert guides. Founded in 2011, our NY State-licensed guides are not merely hike leaders — they are ambassadors for the outdoors, dedicated to sharing their passion for nature with others.

A day at nature's pace. We won't rush past the good stuff. The best moments in the woods are almost always the unplanned ones — and we build this day around leaving room for them.

Schedule

6:30 Brooklyn pickup near Barclays 7:00 Manhattan pickup at Grand Central ~8:30 Rest stop ~9:45 Arrival + begin exploring and foraging ~12:30 Lunch + waterfall splash + swim ~2:00 Continue exploring — berries, critters, and whatever else the forest offers ~3:30 Van returns to NYC ~4:30 Rest stop ~7:00 Manhattan drop-off ~7:30 Brooklyn drop-off

All times are estimates. We adjust every adventure to the pace and needs of the group.