Are your kids squeamish around bugs? Do they worry about getting their designer clothes dirty? Does it look like they might have wires growing out of their ears?

If they think the sun is just an irritant that casts a glare on their Gameboys and cell phone screens, it might be a good time to get them to disconnect from their electronics and reconnect with nature.

The Hawai'i Nature Center in Makiki can be a good place to start, with access to 18 state hiking trails, family activities on the weekend and even a day camp that gives kids five days of hiking, fishing, bug catching and crafts.

During the school year, the center offers environmental programs for school field trips. Over the summer, the programs are still educational but they're geared more toward teaching kids to appreciate the fun stuff.

"We hope that kids have a great time and learn to have fun in nature so in the future they care about it and take action in preserving and conserving it," said Jamie Nakama, senior environmental educator.

The mission is especially important when kids have become so urbanized that they stay indoors not because they prefer it, but because they haven't learned to do otherwise.

Although the Hawai'i Nature Center is just on the edge of urban Honolulu, people might not realize there's a nature preserve right past all the concrete.

"These days we're so disconnected, literally, from the natural environment that kids don't even have much access to it," Nakama said.

While most of the programs are geared toward younger children, the center is also an entry point for 18 hiking trails, including some like the basic 2.5-mile Makiki Loop Trail, which older kids can do on their own. "It's pretty safe," Nakama said.

Curt Cottrell, program manager for Na Ala Hele, the state's trail and access system, said there are several trails parents can feel comfortable letting older kids hike alone.

The important thing is careful preparation. He advises packing a cell phone, at least two liters of water, some bandages and Neosporin, and some energy snacks. What hikers should leave behind is a detailed plan for their route.

"The itinerary is pretty critical," he said. "Ask them, 'When are you leaving? What trail are you going on? What time are you coming back?' "

Parents should also set a time to call fire/rescue if they haven't had contact with their children.

"If they've told their parents where they're going, and they don't deviate from that, then fire/rescue can find them in minutes," Cottrell said.

Parents who feel iffy about letting their kids head out alone can look at maps of all the hiking trails on the Na Ala Hele Web site (www.hawaiitrails.org) and help their kids estimate how much time it will take them to reach their destination and when they can expect to make cell phone contact.

"It's probably safer than driving on the freeway for teen-agers," Cottrell said.

Crime on popular hiking trails is virtually a nonissue — though car break-ins at parking areas can be a problem; do not leave valuables unattended. And although some trails share space with hunters, it's unleashed pets, not humans, who might get in trouble, Cottrell said.

If the thought of hunters leaves parents uneasy, two standard hiking areas — Manoa Falls and Maunawili — do not allow hunters.

Cottrell said the biggest concern is car break-ins, although some trails like Manoa Falls and Kealia in Mokule'ia have secure lots and others, like Kuli'ou'ou Ridge, have parking in residential areas.

At the Maunawili trailhead, however, "you might as well leave the doors unlocked and the windows down and a sign saying there's nothing in the car," Cottrell said.

VARYING OPTIONS

Children who are too old for day camp but not old enough to spend the day unsupervised have options, too.

The city parks offer programs geared for kids who have aged out of Summer Fun for elementary school children.

The East Honolulu District Park offers a teen program for kids who have completed the seventh grade, with activities that begin after 2 p.m. and can continue into the evening.

Along with daily planned activities, the program offers a dance, a camp and excursions to Dave & Buster's, Ice Palace and Hawaiian Brian's.

Teens looking for more responsibility can look into the city's junior lifeguard program or volunteer to assist with the Summer Fun or Summer Fun plus programs.

Deborah Ward, spokeswoman for the Department of Land and Natural Resources, said the state has lots of information on activities like boating and camping, but getting outdoors doesn't always have to be complicated.

As she pointed out, "In Hawai'i, kids like the beach and going to play in the parks."