Hey ya'll just found this part of the forum, my brother and I are actually taking my two boys on their first BW trip this Friday through Tuesday, going in at #62 Clearwater Lake on the Gunflint, to Caribou, Little Caribou and Johnson Falls, will probably base camp on Caribou unless by some random miracle the little Caribou site is open. Kiddos are 9 & 10, I've been in canoe country twice and my brother has gone 3 times. Really hoping that this goes well for them as I'd love to have a couple lifetime paddle partners in the works. I went for the first time with my dad last year and now we say it's something we wish we'd done sooner.

I think as long as the weather is nice enough that my eldest gets plenty of fishing time in we'll be alright (he has ADHD and ASD and the happiest / calmest he gets is when he has a fishing pole in hand). My youngest is an easy going kid who'll be happy to be in the woods, whittling, helping with camp chores, fishing, whatever. Heck maybe if it goes well enough the kids will be so excited about it that they'll convince the wifey to go someday too.

At this point I think I've got most of the bases covered to make sure they have a good trip, the menu revolves around their picky palates, they have the gear / clothing they need, the route is short, we can day trip to go see the falls. As much as it's a trip for them I'm really looking forward to teaching them more camping skills, having them help navigate & tie knots etc.

Any last minute advice?

Relax. Keep the itinerary flexible and let them enjoy it. I can't wait to do the same. Mine is only 3 1/2 so we have a ways to go.

Lots of pictures.

Have fun, relax, definitely be flexible and change plans on the fly when needed, and let the kids be involved in decision making. Truly make it "their" trip. Of course dad gets to trump their decisions when safety is involved;) Here's a good example of that from one of my daddy/daughter trips with my older daughter when she was 7. After finishing a fish fry she really wanted to go back out fishing but it looked like a bad storm was coming so I said no. She kept reminding me that it was "her" trip and that I said she gets to make the decisions. After the nasty storm hit us and we were playing uno in the tent she looked at me with a big smile and said "daddy, you were right".... that's one of those moments I'll cherish forever because I don't think she'll say those words very often :)

My 7 and 9 year old daughters talk about their trips to the BWCA all the time....

I hope this is the 1st of many trips for you and your boys!

Have a great time. Sounds like you've planned well.

A few things that made our kids trips easier and more fun...

-hammock (our spend hours in it swinging and reading)

-tootsie pops (help when the paddling starts to feel long)

-their own knife for whittling

-disposable camera

-small fish nets (like the kind you get at pet shops) for catching/releasing minnows

-small journal and mini coloring pencil set

-mini plastic animals

-their own pack, filled with what they could easily carry

-simple contests with small prizes: example: build a pile of rocks, whoever knocks them down 3x gets a small can of pringles or rolos. or whoever catches the biggest fish...you get the idea.

-benadryl anti-itch cooling gel - works wonders

We just returned from our trip last week. 2 moms (poor dads had to stay home), 6 kids ages 9-15.

quote paddlefamily: "Have a great time. Sounds like you've planned well.

A few things that made our kids trips easier and more fun...

-hammock (our spend hours in it swinging and reading)

-tootsie pops (help when the paddling starts to feel long)

-their own knife for whittling

-disposable camera

-small fish nets (like the kind you get at pet shops) for catching/releasing minnows

-small journal and mini coloring pencil set

-mini plastic animals

-their own pack, filled with what they could easily carry

-simple contests with small prizes: example: build a pile of rocks, whoever knocks them down 3x gets a small can of pringles or rolos. or whoever catches the biggest fish...you get the idea.

-benadryl anti-itch cooling gel - works wonders

We just returned from our trip last week. 2 moms (poor dads had to stay home), 6 kids ages 9-15.
"

...camping near other kids is also a "lock" :)....enjoy!

Yes, also bringing friends along makes a big difference. Hardly any attitudes or complaining. They make the trip extra memorable for all.

I don't know about the rest of you but we eat up about an hour each day with fire starting class.