As a parent and a guide, I’m always being asked by other parents when is the best time to start taking their children paddling. My answer is always the same, “On the way home from the hospital is the perfect time!” In all seriousness, if you are an experienced paddler, the sooner the better. If you wait too long something else will capture their interests. Heaven forbid your child prefers television, computers, or video games to the great outdoors! In fact, have your wife load the canoe on the roof rack of your car, right now, while you continue to read this article.
The most important thing about a family paddling trip is to make sure everyone has the best time possible. This will insure more fun trips in the future. Your children will most likely have a good time if you have a good time, and if you start them young. To get young kids interested in the upcoming paddling trip leave a canoe or kayak in the backyard for them to play on. Give their little bodies a chance to get used to the feel of the boat and let their giant imaginations run wild!
When you finally get on the water keep the time in the boat short and the playtime high. Don’t expect your young children to actually propel the vessel. Make numerous stops for the kids to play, explore, and of course eat. Stop early to set up camp. Involve the children in most of the camp chores. You know they love helping. Collecting fire wood, setting up tents, finding rocks for the fireplace, rolling out the sleeping pads and bags, and helping prepare meals makes the child realize he is an important part of the family and valuable to the expedition.
If your paddling trip is going to take place in Florida make every effort to keep your children from getting overexposed to the sun. This includes the suns reflection on the water. Light long sleeved shirts, wide brimmed hats, heaps of sunscreen, and siestas in the shade. Remember your kids look up to you. If you aren’t wearing a shirt, pfd, or sunscreen, they won’t want to either or see the need for it. Lead by example. Other things you will want to avoid are mosquito season, getting to close to large animals, or showing any fear or dislike of anything found in nature. Parents who fear lightning, alligators, snakes, or insects pass it on to their children. If lightning gets close calmly get to safety then ooh and aah like you’re watching a great firework display. Observe snakes, alligators, and wasp nests from a distance. All of these safety precautions pay off big once your child begins going on paddling trips with out you. Your nerves won’t be too raw knowing your kid isn’t picking up snakes, throwing rocks at enormous paper wasp nests, or screaming for his life because of a few dark clouds rolling over his campsite.
Since having fun is important make sure you plan on packing a few tools to help in the process. First make sure to bring a big tent. When the sun is beating down or the bugs discover your location, a big tent allows the kids ample play space. Always have crayons, paper, strings or rope, play dough, and storybooks for inside the tent. Outside let the young ones build sand castles, forts, and rope swings. I always take the kids on bug hunts, bring binoculars to point out birds, and teach the fine art of using a sling shot properly. And finally, in all my years of guiding, in all my travels to different countries, I have never met a kid that doesn’t enjoy fishing.
Some of the best places in the country for multi-day paddling trips are right here in Florida. Check out the upper Suwannee River, both the Northern and Southern Withlacoochee Rivers, the Wekiwa River and the Peace River. If for any reason your not comfortable doing all the work and handling all the responsibilities sign up for an organized tour with a local club or a reputable outfitter.
On a final note, there are heaps of kids out there whose parents don’t have the time or money to take there kids camping, fishing or paddling. Imagine the impact on a kid’s life you could make by just taking them outdoors to play.