BWCA Taking a 6 year old girl Boundary Waters Group Forum: Canoeing with kids
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   Group Forum: Canoeing with kids
      Taking a 6 year old girl     

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deepdish71
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03/13/2015 08:59PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Would love to take her but I'm worried about bugs and portaging. Anyone have a good weekend basecamp idea that doesn't involve portaging on the east side of the bwca? Also is permethrin treated clothing recommend for kids?
 
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03/13/2015 09:05PM  
I can't recommend any base camp ideas on the east side as I've never tripped from that side. I do think its awesome that your taking her along. We've been taking all 3 of our kids since they were 3 and don't regret it for a second. As far as the permetherin goes, just because I do it doesn't make it right but we soak the kids' clothes the same as our own. I found a bunch of info supporting both sides of the fence and came away with no real answer. Deet can be tough on kids' skin as well but we haven't had to use any since we started using permetherin. Have a great trip!
 
deepdish71
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03/13/2015 09:13PM  
quote DeanL: "I can't recommend any base camp ideas on the east side as I've never tripped from that side. I do think its awesome that your taking her along. We've been taking all 3 of our kids since they were 3 and don't regret it for a second. As far as the permetherin goes, just because I do it doesn't make it right but we soak the kids' clothes the same as our own. I found a bunch of info supporting both sides of the fence and came away with no real answer. Deet can be tough on kids' skin as well but we haven't had to use any since we started using permetherin. Have a great trip!"

She loves to camp, hope she enjoys the bwca.
 
caribouluvr
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03/13/2015 09:34PM  
Does she have much other hiking experience? My kids (daughter is 6) do fantastic on portages, but they do a lot of hiking in general. Obviously quite a bit more options if you portage just a little.

The east side of Brule is one option. Also, John Lake on the far eastern tip is a hard permit to get, but very easy to get to if you can float the 10 rod portage with high water. My dad and I did that in June no problem.

Consider getting her a head net if the bugs are a concern. We use permethrin on the kids' clothes and have no problems.

If you go, consider how you'll handle bathroom time. My daughter's absolute least favorite part of BWCA camping is dealing with bugs when trying to do that! The bugs are always awful back in the woods day or night.
 
deepdish71
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03/13/2015 09:41PM  
quote caribouluvr: "Does she have much other hiking experience? My kids (daughter is 6) do fantastic on portages, but they do a lot of hiking in general. Obviously quite a bit more options if you portage just a little.


The east side of Brule is one option. Also, John Lake on the far eastern tip is a hard permit to get, but very easy to get to if you can float the 10 rod portage with high water. My dad and I did that in June no problem.


Consider getting her a bug net if the bugs are a concern. We use permethrin on the kids' clothes and have no problems.


If you go, consider how you'll handle bathroom time. My daughter's absolute least favorite part of BWCA camping is dealing with bugs when trying to do that! The bugs are always awful back in the woods day or night."

I've raised her to go potty outside. We were at a park in the country and she said "dad I have to pee" so behind the bushes we went... Maybe not to the bwca rules but if she woke up in the middle of the night having to go, behind the nearest bush is where it would happen.
 
03/13/2015 10:04PM  
We use permethrin on our daughters' clothes and they have bug nets also. The bugs are a lot better in August than earlier in the summer and the water is warmer for swimming also. Here's where I've gone on my daddy/daughter trips.......With my older daughter I entered at Hog Creek (age 5) Lizz (age 7) and Baker (age 9) and with my younger daughter I entered at Cross Bay (age 6) and this year at age 8 I'll probably take her to Sawbill. They are all good places to go with kids but Lizz EP #47 is my favorite of all of them. The portages are not too long and they are pretty flat and the lakes are small and skinny. I really like that area because there are so many options for different directions to go. Horseshoe is a neat lake and is nicknamed "The Moose Highway" for good reason.
 
03/16/2015 04:11PM  
I would not shy away from portages just because a kid is along. Our kids when about age 6 did a 14 mile backpack trip. How you pack obviously makes a difference.
 
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