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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: Taking young kids...
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| Author | Message Text | ||
| Sammy |
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| bogwalker |
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. |
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| Fazzy |
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? |
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| Fazzy |
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| Bannock |
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. |
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| Spartan2 |
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. |
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| jdrocks |
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