Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Canoeing with kids :: Where I won't go with little ones in the canoe
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Canoearoo |
I do not canoe on rivers with small kids. I will canoe with kids on rivers as soon as they are old enough to know how to self rescue on a river. If a canoe flips, they will be able swim to the canoe or the shore. I do not canoe with kids in early spring or late fall. This is because kids get hypothetic much faster than we do and I'm not willing to risk that. I do not take the kids winter camping. I will conceder it once they are 12. |
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nojobro |
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Canoearoo |
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Soledad |
I would agree to stay away from fast moving rivers. I have taken my 2 boys on the Kawishiwi river many times, but that is one of those non-moving rivers that I would say is safer than big water simply because wind is rarely an issue. As for winter camping, I think my 4-year old does as well winter camping as in summer. He stayed out with me twice last winter one night with 0 degree temps. I won't soon forget seeing the little puffs of vapor rise up while he was warmly sleeping. We do use a Snowtrekker tent and wood stove which really helps to keep him warm, comfortable and happy. We do not venture too far off into the woods, but I am planning to take him into the BWCA next winter. |
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BWPaddler |
I do paddle differently when the water is cold. Even at home on a suburban lake surrounded by homes, I stay near shore - no venturing out to islands, etc. Ditto in BWCA, I assess every single bay before skipping from point to point and often choose to paddle the entire bay to be near shore the entire time. I have let the kids paddle their own canoe in cold water too, but not great distances and only when lake is glass. Obviously plenty of fleece is on hand. Fast water rivers? not even in summer unless adult paddling the boat. Kids haven't grasped the concept of a "current" fully yet and are not skilled enough with canoe to paddle their own in faster water. Kawishiwi or some parts of St Croix or Zumbro, etc. I don't consider fast water rivers and have no issue with kids on those. Kind of like Canoearoo said "non-moving" rivers are different. |
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dougroy84 |
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Canoearoo |
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BWPaddler |
I think as parents we all try to weigh the risks vs the advantages in getting our kids out and about in nature. To do so we have to consider our own wilderness skills, the skills and temperaments and fitness of our kiddos, the current conditions (which include state of nature as well as resources available in case of emergency), etc. I am guessing we all have made mistakes in this judgement too, and learned from it (hopefully minor mistakes and without permanent consequences). It's part of learning. (The mistakes I talk about can be setting expectations too high or low, mistakes with gear, mistakes with route, with timing, etc.) I applaud any parent who starts his/her kids out as young as they feel comfortable with and instills that sense of adventure and respect that comes from days in the wild. |