Children at Kipawa

[Hodgey1]

I spent time with one of my son-in-laws/fishing partners "Chad" processing white tail deer in our free time the last few days. As normally happens during Chad & my time together fishing will come up and we began to talk of the what if's & maybe can's for the 2021 season. This year was a bag of downers for me with the border being closed, but one bright spot that did come of 2020 summer was, I spent a considerable amount of time fishing with my grand son's and at least one of their parents. My oldest G-Son is 8 and the other is 4.5. We ended up spending many hours fishing on a cruddy little lake close to the house "Edinboro Lake" and fished mostly for sunfish to keep the kids interest up. We would catch many and the kids really enjoyed it and would ask to go on a regular basis.

So, Chad & I were discussing 2021 and the hopes that things are somewhat back to normal by the end of July? Chad's son is the peewee 4.5 year old, who is as good as gold for his papa. Chad mentions wanting to take his son to Kipawa sometime and we begin talking about possibly this coming year "boarder dependent of course". I have already thought once the kids got older that I would begin taking them, but always thought it would be more in their preteen years. That has changed since spending the summer with both kids on the boat in Edinboro, they love being on the water and catching fish, but a solid week??? IDK? 

The question I have for all of you is, when is good age to start taking them to a week at Kipawa? I know that's going to vary, but i'm interested in your feedback. Also any tips on keeping them occupied when not on the water. I stay at Alwaki and really enjoy the down time back at camp, but see issues with the youngin's and them possibly being board, not so much the 4.5 year old, but my oldest G-son is 8 and a bit of a fidget britches. Alwaki has a swimming dock and kayaks and such, so maybe there's enough for their parents to occupy them while back at camp.

[RHYBAK]

noodles for swimming
Inflatable tube for tubing

Fishing
More fishing
Bonfires
They love fires
Smores

[Greg]

Hodgey, just do it, don't hesitate, just pull the trigger and do it.   BOOK IT.  Bring the kids before they hit those teen years when they just want to stay home and be with their friends and play their sports.

I brought my kids for 5 or 6 years straight (I met TBone and Matty in these trips)... my kids were around your grand kid's age and then I stopped bringing them - did we have our frustrating days?  sure... but here is what happened... they come back to wanting to go... my son (now 25) started coming on the guys fishing trip 3 years ago and now he won't miss it.  My daughter, now 22, has asked and is coming back this summer on a family trip (which my son is also coming along) and because my kids and their significant other's are also coming, for the first time since my first year at Alwaki, my wife is coming back (I still have a hard believing she agreed to this and when I re-read it in my head, I wonder "is that true .. oh ya, it is!).

Yep, i have two trips planned all within about 4 weeks - guys week first at end of June into Canada day and family trip mid July.

Also, I think I need to book a fall trip (try that again as my last fall trip didn't work out).

Just book it, you are at the enviable time when your grand kids want to spend time with you and you can share your passion. 

What exactly is your concern? or holding you back?

Greg

[Hodgey1]

All good ideas @RHYBAK, especially the tube idea.

@Greg , my only concerns are that the 8 year old needs fairly constant action and part of my enjoyment of being there is not doing anything at times. The porch calls to me, to sit, visit and have a beverage.  I would be there with both of their fathers so, I guess that they would shouldered most of the keeping them busy when we are not fishing.

I think there’s plenty to keep them occupied like you and John have mentioned, especially swimming and fires in the evenings.

[RHYBAK]

Yah

Bring the kids while they are free
Watch them enjoy themselves.
And don't worry.
Kids can swim all day
just watch out for those red leeches.
Those are killer biters

[Hodgey1]

they come back to wanting to go... my son (now 25) started coming on the guys fishing trip 3 years ago and now he won't miss it.  My daughter, now 22, has asked and is coming back this summer on a family trip (which my son is also coming along) and because my kids and their significant other's are also coming, for the first time since my first year at Alwaki, my wife is coming back (I still have a hard believing she agreed to this and when I re-read it in my head, I wonder "is that true .. oh ya, it is!).

Greg, that has come full circle for you and going to make for some very nice family time and great memories.

[Hodgey1]

Bring the kids while they are free
Watch them enjoy themselves.

I am going to meet with both my son-in-laws this weekend and discuss us pulling the trigger. My wife and I spend a great deal of time with all of our GK's, we have four total 2 girls "4m & 2.5y" and two boys "4.5 & 8". They spend a lot of time on the weekends with us, the 4.5y grandson asks all the time if I have to work, because he knows if we're off that he can spend the night, LOL. I have a detached garage that I mounted a projector and screen in the ceiling and have movie night with them on most fridays. I like to think its because of us that they want to be here so much, but then they do seem to love the popcorn and candy my wife provides, LOL.

As I have continued to think it all through, the only thing that really gives me apprehension is knowing how active my little tikes are and how that will effect my own down time/relaxation. If the border reopens, I will have the end of July trip with SIL & GKids and then September trip with my wife to chill. Sounding like a great plan and I am now getting fired up. I hope it comes together and the world returns to normal sooner than later. They are vaccinating our Hospital workers today in the City closest to me. Finger & toes crossed!

[fishtildark]

Hodgey,
one of the old sayings about having grandchildren is that you can spoil them rotten then give them back to their parents so sounds like what you described is perfect..As to age.... my buddy and I first took our sons on the fishing week over memorial day. my son was 9 and buddies son was 12. Weather was nasty with snow and wind . the lake was rough enough that i had to get the largest rock i could lift to put in the bow because Doug was so light. The iconic photo is Doug in a bug net, winter coat and holding a stringer of walleyes.  they loved it though and went back for the next several years until other interests got them . Doug wants to go again and will probably be delayed because of new things like a wife, house , and potential family..
A mid summer trip with the three generations sounds great and I would say go for it. Rhybak is correct that they love bonfires, campfires and basically any thing that isnt allowed at home... Take advantage of the fact that they arent into all the little league sports , yet. My grandson is 12 and so tied up in baseball that its difficult getting him out for a days fishing , let alone a week. 

[michelle]

Our little ones come to our camp but not the whole week. If their parents are there, I wouldn't worry too much bout your down time , that's the beauty of their parents being there....That being said, as a grandma, I like to bring things of my own to keep them busy. I have a small personal DVD with lots of movies that I keep there. The older grandchild ( has an ipad and her mom downloads movies for her. I bring a bin with coloring books, crayons, paint and crafts. Always nice to have things for them to do when it's raining....
I also bring a cake mix to do a little baking if we have time, again, nice to do on a crappy day. On the nice days, swimming, fishing and just spending time outside gathering wood for the fire at night....after a couple of days, they will be so tired, they will be sleeping like babes.
and pictures....take lots of pictures.

[Hodgey1]

@fishtildark  this might just be the right time since neither one is thankfully doing any outside activities yet, so no complications there. I definitely will have to change the evening schedule fishing to accommodate time for a campfire, they both love that. The end of July it stays light very late, so we normally fish late, come back clean fish and a night cap before hitting the bunk.

@michelle all great tips, especially being prepared for crappy weather potential. Sounds like your a good grandma!

[Oarin]

Hi Hodgey, they sell something call a hot spot that gives you wi-fi where there isn't any. maybe get one and they could bring some I-Pads.
Let them use them for a set amount of time. Stay safe, Gary.

[RHYBAK]

LOL

If they don't have the luxuries, they wont crave them.
Once they know that luxuries exist, they will crave them all day.
Let them swim.
Leave the movies at home.
Kids entertain themselves

[Hodgey1]

LOL!

To quote @michelle  "I wouldn't worry too much bout your down time , that's the beauty of their parents being there...."

[T-Bone]

We took our kids to the Kawarthas area NE of Toronto when they were young. My son was about 3-4 when we took him first...daughter 6-7. They loved it (not the bugs tho). Now, this was a 'family resort' type of place on Stoney Lake with built-in swimming pool, playground area, "Kidz Klub" where counselors take them for about 4-5 hours each day to do crafts, field trips in the woods, etc. That was easy going. When they were with us, they were just captivated by the environment. They loved boat rides, fishing, tubing, and just seeing a whole new world they'd never seen before. We went back there for few years until they got bigger and involved in other things like sports, etc. Time well spent...and some wonderful memories.

And I'm with Michelle...if their parents are going to be there you really have no worries, I suppose.

[Hodgey1]

they sell something call a hot spot that gives you wi-fi where there isn't any. Stay safe, Gary.

Thanks Oarin, you stay safe as well!

If they don't have the luxuries, they wont crave them.
Once they know that luxuries exist, they will crave them all day.
Let them swim.
Leave the movies at home.
Kids entertain themselves

I would love more than anything, to not have any technology entertainment devices. I can't agree more with your suggestions, but am a realest. My oldest GS "8" is a tech junkie already and spends more time with it, than I believe is good for him, but it's a loosing battle. I am certain my tech junkie Son- in laws will bring something as a pacifier.  My fantasy would be the kids not having any screen time at all that week, but............... I will leave that all up to the parents and try to keep my pie hole shut about such things.

When they were with us, they were just captivated by the environment. They loved boat rides, fishing, tubing, and just seeing a whole new world they'd never seen before. We went back there for few years until they got bigger and involved in other things like sports, etc. Time well spent...and some wonderful memories.

I hope that it comes together and you get to meet the tribe. Great kids and not half bad fisherkids. Making memories is what it is all about!