kayaks and stand up boards, make a fire, set up camp, tie hooks, bait hooks, unhook fish, pack and prepare for long trips and, my favourite aspect, what it takes to hack it in the bush.
They have nothing but respect and love for the outdoors and nature. They hate seeing garbage laying around. They want to see more conservation. I teach them catch and release, but also sustainable harvest so we can have a nice shore lunch from time to time.
Arielle is great at teaching and showing the kids different plants. They explore a lot and that experience adds up fast.
It has all paid off. Any time we talk about going away on vacation, the family is instantly set on where to go camping, canoeing and exploring next. It’s never about an amusement park or shopping or some other thing not involving the outdoors.
I think Arielle and I have done good and provided a nice progression of outdoors experiences and activities for the kids to grow into over the years.
It gives me joy to see my kids paddling a canoe around an island while I sit and take in the moment from shore, and just love every second of it.
Every season is a good time to get outdoors with family.
In closing, this is the final issue of The Wild Northerner Magazine. It has been a wild journey and fun experience over the years. I was fortunate, lucky and thankful to have a small group of people with me to make the magazine a reality. I am grateful for all the support from readers.
Take care and stay wild.
Scott