BWCA Winter camping with children Boundary Waters Winter Camping and Activities
Chat Rooms (0 Chatting)  |  Search  |   Login/Join
* For the benefit of the community, commercial posting is not allowed.
Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
   Winter Camping and Activities
      Winter camping with children     

Author

Text

wharrier
member (50)member
  
11/19/2018 10:10AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I got a call last night from a friend in Texas who decided he wanted to do some winter camping and he wants to bring his kids(6 and 10) with. We're thinking of Feb or March and would rent a hot tent. All said, the trip would end up being 3 adults and 5 children including my 14 year old daughter. My daughter and I would likely sleep in a cold tent with the southerners in the hot tent.

So, what am I getting myself into? I told him I was a little concerned about taking the younger children. My concern is around it could be 35 and wonderful all weekend long or it could be 5 or lower.

Thanks
 
Reply    Reply with Quote    Print Top Bottom Previous Next
Gadfly
distinguished member (462)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
11/19/2018 11:05AM  
I think a lot of it depends on the experience of the adults. Is this the first time for everyone or do some have trips under their belt? Assuming the kids actually have an interest to go and are not being forced to go I wouldn't have too many worries.
What is the winter experience of the group from Texas? If the stove is not tended to every hour or so it will go out and the tent will lose its heat very fast. It is still very important to have gear that will work for cold tenting situations unless someone wants to set an alarm every 45 minutes to stoke the stove in the middle of the night.
All that being said if you have a few experienced winter campers there and the kids have some interest in it I would have no problem bringing them.
wharrier
member (50)member
  
11/19/2018 11:44AM  
I'm the only one with winter camping experience. One of them has been to the boundary waters with me about 20 times, so plenty of summer experience which is quite different. But I'm confident in his camping experience and resolve.

The kids all seem excited to go. I told my friend that he needs gear for winter camping and the stove is mostly for comfort and most people let it go out at night. Can obviously keep it going all night long if that's they're need if it's super cold or kids are having difficulty keeping warm.

After typing my post, I already felt better about it but am definitely interested in other people's experiences.
TuscaroraBorealis
distinguished member(5665)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
11/19/2018 01:40PM  
I say go for it.

Brought our 5 year old out on a multi-day trip and had a great time even though we had to endure miserable weather for one day. Trip report

If possible i'd recommend spending a night in the back yard (or an easy bail out area) prior to the trip to help identify any potential problems.
wharrier
member (50)member
  
11/19/2018 01:53PM  
TB, Thanks for sharing your trip report. Looks like you had a great time.
SevenofNine
distinguished member(2472)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
11/19/2018 02:58PM  
If you see the weather being below zero or near zero you might reconsider. Breezing through Tusc's report I see his biggest issue was warm weather. If it's really cold you might want to consider making your trip shorter or changing it to a cabin style trip.

Definitely a problem keeping gear dry when it's warm outside but that's what the hot tent is for so bring extra mittens, hats and clothes for the little ones.

With proper planning I could see a great trip. Eight people on a trip is a lot to deal with for logistics. Obviously there are pluses to that many people as well (firewood collection) but this really calls for a shake down trip if possible and at least a proper gear list for everyone.
Minnesotian
distinguished member(2309)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
11/20/2018 10:52AM  

Since you are the only one with winter camping experience, I say keep close to your vehicle. Maybe setting up the winter tent at one of the National Forest Campgrounds like Sawbill. Or even just stay on Sawbill lake.

As you know, one does not need go far to find a great winter camping experience.

How many nights are you thinking? If you have the stove running through the night that is a lot of firewood to gather. So, another reason for staying at the campground. Easy to bring in firewood.
11/20/2018 11:37AM  
It takes a little while to get acclimated to the cold. That would be my main concern.
I wouldn't take the Texans in too far.

If it was cold, I would bring in two tents, there will be times when everyone is in the tent and 8 in a tent is too many. Most tents that you would find to rent are going to be right around 9x11, though Piragis does rent a 10x15 which would work for you. (tougher to setup)

I love taking kids winter camping. They do better in the cold than many adults. Bundle them up and keep them dry. Bring a down comforter/quilt or two to through over them at night.

Make pita pizzas right on top of the stove when you have a good coal base and it isn't burning too hot.

Minnesotian's advice is solid ;)
wharrier
member (50)member
  
11/20/2018 02:31PM  
I think a couple of you properly pointed out logistics as being one of my biggest issues. Lodging will definitely be an issue. While I volunteered my daughter to sleep with me in the cold tent, she might not be as "warm" on that idea. Cooking food for 8 is tough in the summer. Winter will be more challenging. Will try out the pita bread pizza. My brother in law made that summer camping last year and it was spectacular.

We're thinking of just 2 or 3 nights. So not long. Definitely looking for something not far in. I camped on the north end of Sawbill a couple winters ago and that was a pretty easy trek. Even Alton would be a short trip

Thanks.
Gadfly
distinguished member (462)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
11/20/2018 03:12PM  
wharrier: "Cooking food for 8 is tough in the summer. Winter will be more challenging. Will try out the pita bread pizza. My brother in law made that summer camping last year and it was spectacular.
"

Cooking may be a little more difficult but I find it easier to pack meals in. Since it is cold you don't have to worry about things spoiling. You could also do some of the cooking before you go in. For example on of my tripping partners always makes taco meat the night before we go and then he just warms it up at camp. We have also pre boiled brats and then heated them up over an open fire.
Winter camping is a lot of work especially if you are doing a decent amount of travelling so we try not to complicate our meals too much.
 
Reply    Reply with Quote    Print Top Bottom Previous Next