I'm thinking about planning a 2 or 3 night trip into the bwca with my would be 7 year old next year.
I would keep the portaging to a minimum and keep to smaller water.
Do you think it's a bit too early to bring him along...
Should I wait until he's a little older to introduce him to the bwca?
Thoughts?

If you and your wife are comfortable bring him. Keep a real loose trip plan and be prepared to leave early if he is not enjoying it or wants to go home.

Have a couple of lighter packs he can manage easily on portages along with allowing him to portage paddles and PFD's. Give him chores in camp he can manage like filtering water, cleaning up the site, gathering blueberries etc. Whatever you think he can handle. Make it fun so he will want to come back. Share stories around the campfire, smores before bed and other food he will enjoy (Hot dogs on a stick over the fire is always fun).

If he likes to fish then fish. If he has a favorite past time do that. Tailor the trip to his speed and stamina and you will have a great time and he will want to go back as soon as possible. I know people who have brought babies into the wilderness and everything older than that. At least a 7 year old does not require special food or diapers to haul in.

Go for it! I wish my first trip would have happened when I was 7.

Spartan1 and I took our daughter on a four-day trip in Algonquin Provincial Park the summer that she was 8. I would agree with what Bogwalker said: give him some tasks that he can handle, and a little gear to portage. Try to allow lots of time for what HE wants to do, even if it wouldn't be your preference. (our daughter spent one entire evening "sailing" a little boat she made out of a piece of bark and she had a great time.)

She remembers the trip very fondly. She took another trip (BWCA) with us as a teenager, and a few years ago she and her husband did a six-day BWCA trip themselves. I am sure we planted the seed.

Go for it. But remember to taylor the trip to him.

This is what my son and I did. We didn't do the BWCA. We did a canoe route outside the BWCA but still within the SNF. That way he could have Spaghetti-Os (cans aren't banned). But first we drove to Ely. He had a dvd player to watch movies in the car. Then we stayed at a nice bunkhouse in Ely, ate at Pizza Hut, and went to a movie. Two days canoe camping. Then a drive to Superior, WI where we stayed in a motel with pool. Then home.

He had a fantastic time. The next year he wanted to go again. This time he wanted to bring a friend. This time, too, we went to the BWCA. The rest was pretty much the same.

Again he loved it.

The thing is, he likes the BW but only as part of HIS vacation. By limiting the time, and planning other stuff to do as well, he has a great time.

So keep that in mind. Make sure it is his vacation. Maybe a mix of camping and moteling works. Maybe a trip to the Wolf Center. Maybe a day or two of car camping with some hiking. Taylor it to his wants.

I parents took my on my first trip when I was six. My sisters were 9 and 3; my brother was 8. As long as you are careful and have fun it can be a great time.

comfort level is important for most, but even more so for kids. you have to keep the bugs off, keep them dry/warm/cool/clean as the situation demands, no poison ivy/sunburn etc.-pay attention or it may turn into a short trip. give the kids something good to remember. my 8 year old granddaughter talks about the outdoor experiences in her young life like it all happened yesterday. the conversation always starts "remember when...."-i swear, these firecracker little girls steal your heart every time.

Thanks for the positive feedback and ideas I hadn't thought of. I think I will start my planning for next years trip…