Why I Recommend a BWCA Experience with Your Sons

My son Matt and I enjoyed another canoeing trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) along the Minnesota/Canada border. We went in 2007 and were really looking forward to getting back there. We were NOT disappointed. This is a huge area of wilderness and we've hardly seen even 1% of it. We saw a fisher, bald eagles, loons and other ducks, and plenty of Northern pike and smallmouth bass.

Here is a short video where I captured some scenes -- this doesn't do justice to the experience, but will give you a taste.



Dads, I seriously recommend you consider a BWCA experience with your son(s). Let me give you some reasons why:

* It's a real wilderness experience -- which changes your perspective, is beautiful, and soul-nourishing. You and your boys will experience God is ways completely new from city and surburbia and farm. I think wilderness brings out something deep in a man's heart.

* It's a physically shared experience. You'll accomplish things together, and have those common stories of accomplishment. You'll be depending on one another.

* Disconnecting from all the distractions and comforts of your regular life will be freeing. (Until you experience this you won't understand it.) Your boys will find out new things about you, themselves, and God when they're unplugged.

* The isolation is powerful. Human beings are the strangers and outsiders in the BWCA. You'll have some interesting prayer times in this humbling environment.

* You and your boys will have HOURS of conversation time. The best quality time of conversation comes when you create great quantities of time. Dads, your boys need this kind of time to learn from you. And you will learn new things about your boys. This is a great gift for your relationship.


Now, let's be realistic, too. This is a seriously physical trip. You and your boy(s) need to be able to paddle and handle camping in primitive sites, operating in an isolated situation. You'll be moving a canoe and perhaps 160-200 pounds of gear and food across portages.

(Got daughters? You can do a BWCA trip with them, too, but perhaps not as physical a route or as long.)

My other recommendation is to work with an outfitter. I personally recommend the great folks at North Country -- they not only provide the equipment and food, but the advice and information you need for a great experience. They make all the logistics, and guard you from the myriad of things which could make your experience miserable. I have nothing but high praise for their operation.

Put this on your list, men, for your sake as well as your boys.