Hiking and camping with kids can be a wonderful way to bond as a family and introduce kids to the natural world. It can also be an occasion for disagreeable behavior and complaints. Damariscotta River Association (DRA) will help parents prepare for a summer of hiking and camping with kids “without the whine” during a free workshop on Saturday, Feb. 17 from 4-5:30 p.m. at DRA’s Great Salt Bay Farm.

With 25 years of experience taking kids outdoors, DRA Education Director Sarah Gladu will offer tips for pre-trip preparations and gear, ideas for on-the-trail games, and some natural history to enrich the experience for the whole family. Register by Thursday,  Feb. 16 by calling DRA at 207-563-1393.

This event is part of the Great Maine Outdoor Weekend (GMOW), a series of events in February and September led by outdoor oriented organizations and companies to celebrate the how, where, and what of being active outside in Maine. The goal of GMOW is to connect friends and neighbors with the natural world and to promote fun, physical activity, and good health.

Other GMOW events include a hike at Crooked Farm led jointly by DRA and Pemaquid Watershed on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 10 a.m., and Winter Fest, offered by DRA and the GSB School PTO on Sunday, Feb. 18 from noon to 3 p.m.

For more information about any of these events, and the DRA,  call 207-563-1393, email dra@damariscottariver.org, or visit www.damariscottariver.org.