Be sure to take a camera. Take lots of pictures. Email some to us for inclusion in our gallery.
To see a real-life example of a trip plan, check out this Cub Scout site. It details the planning for a very successful backpack trip in summer 2000 that included seven families: 12 adults and ten kids, ages seven to 16.
GENERAL
Every child is different, even those in the same age group. Get to know your child's limits.
Make the outdoors a part of your everyday life. It's hard to instill an appreciation in young people if the only hiking they do is on the big trip once a year. Try to do day hikes of varying lengths at least once a month throughout the year, rain or shine.
PLANNING
Plan, plan, plan. Even on a simple overnighter you don't want to be caught without a flashlight.
Make room in your plans for the stuff you need to do before you leave your house. The Fun Factor goes way down if you try to gather together tents and cookwear on the morning you're supposed to be leaving.
Bring along the best map youu can find of the area you're visiting. There's a special joy that comes from teaching a child how to read a map.
Weight is all-important. Remove food items from their packaging, seal it in Zip-Loc bags, and leave the packaging behind. Shop for the smallest, lightest items you can find. Share. Some items (like tent and water filter) can be shared between two or more people.
Your child should prepare their own pack as much as possible.
Don't obsess about planning. It's supposed to be fun.
Remember the backpacker's basic rule: When in doubt, leave it out.
Have a relaxed attitude about food. Your kid won't die from eating nothing but hot dogs and marshmallows for a few days.