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.

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I should probably disqualify myself from responding becasue I don't have kids, but maybe I can give a " different" perspective, minus the emotions that you should/need to have for you loved ones.

One year as I was coming back to Beaverhouse landing, I saw a single canoe just starting out. I was looking like I had spent 12 days solo and when we passed each other. We slowed and exchanged pleasantries, or I should say the stern paddler, a young Dad in his early 30's maybe did, his son, maybe early teens was less than friendly.

He said they were headed for Jean and a week of base camping and that his son was less than enthused, but he thought some quality Father and Son time would " cure" that.

When they first approached, it was obvious the kid wasn't paddling at all, and that he was refusing to participate, letting his Dad who wasn't the greatest paddler, struggle to keep them going straight. The kid was busy playing his game boy, and what responses he made were disrespectful and vulgar.

I told him that it was an easy slog to Jean as the portages were short and fairly easy. I could tell he was relieved, the kid could of cared less.

I proceeded to the take-out and just felt so bad for the Father, not the kid. My parents introduced me to camping as part of the summertime family vacation. I took to it, so did my younger sister, my younger brother didn't like it so much ( other than the fishing part),  but we did what we were asked/told, and kept a civil tongue in our mouths. Later as we got to our teen years, we didn't have to go if we didn't want too.

Your kids our old enough to make their own choices. Your time in the Q/BWCA is limited based on how long you can stay health enough to go.

I understand sacrificing for your kids, if you can't do that, you shouldn't be a parent. I draw the line and I think parents should too, when the " kids" in question are doing all the " taking" and none of the " giving"  In my mind you shouldn't feel guilty at all. If your being a good Father and you need some wilderness time, then either your kids should " humor" the old man and go along, or let you know that it's okay and not to feel guilty, you have a right to a " life" also.

I could see you feeling guilty IF you had been going every year the last 17, but you went 1 time, I think every other year would be a " fair and equitable" solution. Even then, there's no guarantee your teen sons will want to do anything with you if you don't go.

My friends with teens are mostly chauffeurs and ATM's. Once the kid gets their drivers license their just the people who pay the insurance and auto bills

No kids, no real input on the matter.

The vast majority of adult trippers I know started as kids, before their teen years.  Most of them took a break during high school, the more urban their home the more likely to take a break.

Split your limited time.  Spend some of it tripping & some of it with the family.

I wouldn't blame the times.  Folks have been doing that since kids could get themselves to town.  How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm, After they've seen Paree?

I took my kids when they were pretty young... Three usually. They all would love it if they weren't so busy now. Being single I'm used to doing what I want now that my kids are on their own. (Well, one daughter lives with me but is doing her own thing). My delema is I have Grandkids and they live between 1000 and 1500 miles away. I plan on possibly seeing them in the off season. But until they are old enough to paddle, they will see little of me in the summer. My other daughter and family are planning on coming out after I get home from two back to back canoe trips. I may work six weeks then head out for another three weeks. I've got to start getting my fleet going to accomidate all these kids. I have a son getting married next year... possibly my daughter... They know they'll have to work it in between my trips.

Spartan2, as usual you've written from the heart very well.  Thx.

I have 2 college age boys and a 16-year old girl.  My wife of 22 years grew up in California and spent her youth with the family camping and hiking from San Diego up to Oregon.  When we first met, we camped as well and after the kids were born, took an annual trip to Parry Sound, Ontario.  But as Jennifer aged, she decided that was enough for her.  She's never had the desire to rough it on a canoe trip, but never hesitated to allow me to do so and take the kids each summer if they wanted to come.  So I canoed with each when they turned 5 and 6.  My daughter went only once, had an aversion to bad weather and bugs, and even today still has an aversion to bugs.  My two sons, on the other hand, have tripped with me each summer since, except for Ben who decided to spend last summer in Cancun with his buddies (go figure).  For me, canoeing with my boys is the single greatest pleasure I have each year.  I can't speak for them as they have many more other interests than me.  But I know they enjoy it or they would be doing something else with their limited summer time.

All in all, I am happy and content that each of my kids have their own unique passions and that we can still treasure the time we are actually together.