The Ten Essentials: Tales on the Trails (Everybody Reads)
Published on March 03, 2026
By Kara V.
This past year, I have learned the ten essentials for hiking: water, extra clothing, pocket-knife, food, rain gear, compass, first aid kit, flashlight, whistles, and fire starter.
You can find different versions of the ten essentials on the internet. My son happens to be a Boy Scout, so we use the list from Scouting America.
I never considered myself an outdoor person. Sure, when I was a child, I hunted for the Wild Things, played Top Gun in the field by my house, and once tried to camp (please note the use of the word “once”). I don’t know how it happened, but now—as an adult—I own a pair of hiking boots. I own a backpack with a water pouch!
Hitting the trail with my family has become one of my absolute favorite things to do. Our trips are based on where we can access a trail. We have hiked all of the state parks around Sioux Falls, several in Rapid City, trails in Canada and the Ozarks, and we even had the misfortune of hiking a bog in Minnesota. We have become a family of amateur hikers.
I say “amateur” because we don’t hike for days; we set up a hammock and enjoy nature before heading back. But I’ve started trying to identify trees and asking my children to stop and look up at their branches.
The ten essentials for hiking are necessary for safety. Still, I know what my family's essentials are: giant walking sticks, ice cream after a hot day, a good book for hammock time, spending a moment together, stories that stay on the trail, our family hiking selfie, laughter, quiet, and rest.
Speaking of trails, the theme for this year’s Everybody Reads program is Tales on the Trail. The program encourages people to get outdoors, read a book, and find time to slow down and be together—just what my family needs this March.
Everybody Reads is a community-wide reading goal. If the Sioux Falls community can read 500,000 within the month of March, a monetary donation will be made to REACH Literacy. Last year, the community exceeded our goal of 350,000 by reading 429,845 books—so we have decided to aim higher!
The Everybody Reads program runs from March 1 to March 30. Stop in at any Siouxland Libraries branch to add your books to the tally. With your help, we can reach our goal of 500,000 books!
Here are ten essentials for you to get out this spring and enjoy the trails and the library:
Library Card
If you need a library card, you can swing by any Siouxland Libraries branch (and bring a valid photo ID). A library card is free if you live in Sioux Falls or Minnehaha County.
A Good Book
This is essential for time outdoors. Enjoy nature while taking in a captivating story.
Libby
Download the Libby app on to your own device and use your library card to enjoy a wide selection of eBooks and eAudiobooks.
A South Dakota State Park Pass
Embrace the outdoors and experience what our state has to offer! Siouxland Libraries offers several SD State Park Passes for checkout. To learn more, click here.
Field Guides
Siouxland has a variety of identification books for you to try out, everything from trees to birds to mushrooms. Nature has no shortage of things to observe and learn about.
South Dakota Travel Guides
Find out places to visit in our great state. Pick up a travel guide and discover something new about South Dakota.
Your Siouxland WRP Prize Notebook
If you participated in our Winter Reading Program, you can use your llama notebook to keep track of the books you read and help us reach our goal.
Check out a library kit for an at-home adventure! These kits include anything from telescopes to metal detectors—perfect for exploring the world around you.
Librarians
Siouxland staff are always available and eager to help guide you to just what you need. Stop in to say hi or ask us to help you print out your map—we are always ready to help with a smile.
Snacks
One of the only essentials from the first ten; snacks are the most important because no one wants a hangry hiker.
Tales on the Trails is an exciting opportunity for the community to enjoy a new book and experience the outdoors—and Siouxland Libraries is glad to be a part of it!