i agree with everything skip suggested. here are some other thoughts.

1. give your outfitter a call about your route. they should be able to direct you on a route that fits your needs. i would suggest finding a good basecamp or staying at 2 spots for multiple days. tone down your expectations for travel at least for this first trip.

2. you don't state your daughter's experience either camping or in a canoe. if she has done neither, i'd try to get out and camp a night somewhere and get her in a canoe on a lake.

3. make sure that she has good rain gear (pants and jacket). extra socks, and a couple pairs of shoes. also a hat and sunglasses. some kids will live in the same stuff all week. some need to change.

3.5 have fun and don't get mad.

4. if you are going to fish, bring a rod for her that works. if you are going to paddle, get her a real paddle that fits her. a small real paddle is better than a baby paddle.

5. bring a hammock or two. my 6 yr old son considers this essential for northwoods trips.

6. buy her a life preserver that she will want to wear all day. let her get one in a color she likes and let her personalize it with whatever she wants. my son usually has so much stuff tied to his by the end of the trip that he would probably sink! you never know what kind of preserver you will get from an outfitter.

7. be prepared for her to lose things and drop them in the lake.

7.5 have fun and don't get mad.

8. buy her 1 or 2 waterproof disposable cameras and let her use them without your guidance. it is pretty cool afterwards to see what she takes pictures of during the trip.

9. if she is a reader, bring a couple books. if she plays with dolls, bring a doll. i don't bring many toys for my son. just a couple small things. nature provides alot of entertainment. personally, i would leave the gameboy at home.

10. prepare her for the realities of toilet duties in either quetico or the boundary waters. they are different.

10.5 have fun and don't get mad.

11. get her a headlamp flashlight to use.

12. make sure she likes the food you are bringing.

13. be prepared for some tears and some whining and some grumpiness.

hope this helps some. i'm sure you know your daughter and her make-up. make the trip work with that, not against it, and you should have a great time.

12.

Posted by stevedug on May 29, 2002 at 11:20
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