thinblueline wrote on Mar 1^st, 2011 at 3:14pm:

Do any of you have sons and/or daughters who have absolutely no interest in wilderness canoe tripping? I've got two teenage sons in this day and age of technology and video games, who have really no interest in fishing and roughing it in the canoe wilderness. It kind of makes me feel guilty about using my limited vacation time on such trips just to go without them. That's why I've only been back to Quetico one time in the last 17 years, having made 7 trips prior to them being born. I've just been kicking this quandry around a little, as I contemplate buying a new canoe in the not too distant future.

I know it's been said before in this thread, but I think the key is to get the kids out there earlier than later, before it becomes "uncool" to be dirty, while they'll still do almost anything you ask, and before they get hooked on all the distractions of our day.

I started taking my daughter when she was six.  (See picture.)   The other key, IMO, is to let them bring friends, especially during the teen years. Friends are EVERYTHING during those crazy years.  So my daughter always brought a pal with her.  Worked out great.  Now she's 22 and still loves to go with me.

But it's still a crap shoot.  My 31 year-old son, who I started taking when he was little, never really caught the fever.  When he was in his teens, he started going to the BWCA with  group of his H.S. buddies.  I was fine with that, figuring he'd come back some day.  Some day hasn't happened yet!  Now that he's married, I guess it might happen when he has little ones...if I stay healthy long enough!  

Most important, IMO, don't force them!  Quickest way to get resentment and backlash.  It's gotta be fun.  Think about letting them bring pals along, and lower your expectations...keep it short and simple.  

FWIW.

prouboy

---