4 day trek with 8 year old

I think my first suggestion would be to not try a 4 day trip on your first time out. You know yourself and your daughter better than I, but that's an awful lot to take on for a first trip. I've still never been out for more than an overnighter with my 7 year old, though I think he's now ready for longer trips. I would guess your daughter is more than up for it physically, at that age it's more a matter of staying motivated and not getting bored. Be prepared to carry the majority of the gear, and think of ways to make things fun. With my child that means taking frequent breaks, not trying to hike too far, and going places where there are opportunities for him to splash around, he loves playing in creeks, lakes, and rivers. Whatever will make things fun for your daughter, try to incorporate it into your trip. Bring a few of her comfort items from home (books, stuffed animals, blankets, etc). This is not a time for ultralighting. I usually bring a dessert from Packit Gourmet to share, which makes things fun for him, as well as hot chocolate for the mornings. Anything you can think of to keep things easy and fun on her first times out will pay huge dividends in the long run. I know I kind of haven't answered your question, but I just don't think her challenges will be physical, and if you are planning a hike where she will need to train, you are almost certainly taking on too much, IMHO. I totally applaud you for planning a backpacking trip with your daughter, I've been taking my son out since he was 5, and though it is frequently challenging and difficult, it is also one of the greatest joys of my life.

Definitely. My Samuel, though a great kid, has some behavioral issues, his challenges backpacking have been emotional, not physical. You're very right, your odds of success are high due to the temperament of your child.

Actually, one of the best things I did to prep my child was to take him car camping. He probably had a dozen bag nights in developed campgrounds before I ever tried to take him into the back country. This gave him time to get comfortable in a tent, and gave me the opportunity to make mistakes in a more controllable environment.

Also, the trail we're doing has camp sites about every 6 miles. Most people do the whole trail in 3-5 days, but we are going to skip the mountains on each end, and still take 4 days, which will have us camping at all 3 mid-trail camps. I was thinking 6 miles would be a full day, with lots of stops, extended meal breaks, and fun and games when we see it.

You will be A-OK. It's all mental. As you stated your daughter is active as a dancer so fitness will not be your issue. The six miles per day is just about right. Knowing your location and it's reputation for black flies and mosquitos, you know the seasons, long sleeve shirts and pants with a dash of DEET may keep moral going. As far as fun, our kids needed to be involved, so each carried their own gear and one team item. They need to be accountable for the item as in, "please get me the ----". Translated that means let the young person get it and pack it without the mom helicopter. We also gave them an assignment such as filtering water or responsibility for the tent stakes, something, anything to give them a job.

Kid's Rule #1: Must be warm & dry, proper weather clothing mission critical

keirac , sounds to me like y'all are in great shape, you've done everything you can to increase the odds of success. Y'all are going to have a great time.

Agree with Trinity to do at least a couple shorter trips to work out any bugs and see what works best for you both like what food may not be so good.

I started our youngest at 4.5 with an overnighter followed immediately by a 2-nighter (spring break). After a couple more trips in the Appalachians, he graduated to challenging several day trips in the Rockies before he turned 8, carrying all his gear (except his pad). He's fairly small and not an "athlete" so I'm sure your daughter will be fine. Keep her pack weight no more than 15% of her weight. My son uses an REI Flash 22 now.

I think the most difficult thing for me has been keeping him motivated. When he's bored he'll putz around and claim he's tired. Yet if someone passes us, he'll run to keep up with them and talk their ear off (he's very social). So I constantly come up with goals or interesting places to see. Heading back out is a motivator. We normally do long miles the last day heading back to the car.

Headnets and permethrin-treated clothing are required if you'll be in areas with high bug pressure. +1 on keeping kids at least somewhat warm and dry since they get colder much faster than we do. Keep feeding the furnace, too, with several snack breaks.

Whatever you do make sure she has fun! He was quite disappointed he didn't get to do a trip this past summer with me. This despite some scary or not so fun experiences in the past, like an electrical storm as we reached one summit and huddling in a stand of dead pines for an hour during a hailstorm.

There must be something about that dish. It's one of the few my picky eater would (and will) eat.

And we had that same issue with the hip belt. I had a bunch of pictures on the old forum to show how I sewed on the padding. I think either peeb or ponderosa ended up with that pack. Wonder if it's still out there and ready for the next skinny kid? :D