Wild Northerner Magazine Summer 2016 | Page 20

BY SCOTT HADDOW

Wild Northerner staff

The eyes and smiles don’t lie. When I mention camping around my children, they freak out.

I admit, I also freak out, and I also don’t hide it well at all. I freak out harder than the kids about going camping.

It’s seeing their eyes go bright and their smiles busting their faces apart. It’s real and it feels great.

The summer season has long been associated with the annual big family trip for most. Camping and getting in the bush is the best family trip to do in the season and it isn’t difficult. Any family can pull it off.

I’ve been doing all kinds of camping since I could run. Here are a few things I have picked up along the way of 30-plus years of camping.

One of the easiest ways to enjoy some nature with your family is a provincial park. If you don’t have a lot of experience with the outdoors and have no urge to go backcountry camping, this is an excellent option. It is also a great way to build a foundation and grow into bigger and, LOL, crazier adventures in the bush.

Provincial parks provide decent value for car camping. And by value, I mean for your money and your experience. There is a good chance to see all kinds of wildlife in parks. There is a park store where people can obtain items such as chopped firewood and drinks. This style of car camping is ideal as an introduction for any family.

For those with a bit more of a wild side, getting into the backcountry isn’t a big chore, but does require some careful planning - there are no stores out there.

I had my first child camping by age two. I waited three weeks before my wife and I had our second kid out in the bush in a tent.

My family, which also consists of two dogs who also love camping, enjoy getting into backcountry lakes and setting up our tent in less traveled areas. We use my 17-foot Souris River canoe. This boat gets two adults, two kids, two dogs and all the gear we need for at least a week with no problems. Provincial parks offer canoe rentals for those who don’t have one to explore backcountry lakes in the parks.

We stuff our clothes and essential camp items in two pack barrels. I would highly recommend getting at least one pack barrel for backcountry. It keeps things dry no matter what happens, such as rain or tipping the canoe over.