How To Pack a Canoe for a Family Camping Trip

[@oscarsolis8202]

Thank you for this video. You guys are truly inspirational.. Greetings from Arizona.

[@LittleAdventureShop]

Thank you for the kind message! So glad you enjoyed the video

[@rebeccahorne]

Great video, thanks. Just watched it for tips as I’m off for my first canoe camping exped with my 2-year-old tomorrow.

[@LittleAdventureShop]

So glad we could help. Have a lovely trip!!

[@Sanctuarysurvival]

Nice little set up. Thanks for the vid, it's always nice to see how other people do it. Stay safe.

[@LittleAdventureShop]

Thank you!

[@gpocta]

This is great! I’m a backpacker in Texas who just purchased his first canoe and is planning the first canoe trip with my almost-4-year-old daughter (a 1-on-1 camp out is 4th birthday tradition in our family). We won’t be doing anything as extensive as your trips - just a short paddle over calm water and an overnight primitive camp out on an island. This is so helpful, though! Always nice to see how people Tetris in all their gear and to learn from others’ mistakes. Thanks!

[@LittleAdventureShop]

Thank you, just don't forget the snacks! Good luck with your trip, it sounds like a lot of fun.

[@jamesmaltby3753]

This is great! Would love to have a go at that with our children!

[@LittleAdventureShop]

You should!

[@greenmantis9857]

Great video thanks really helped

[@LittleAdventureShop]

Glad it was useful. Thanks!

[@allans7281]

Fun video- you’re a good host. Just love these “tips” videos. That rig is set up nicely! We have a trolling motor -I like the “option” of paddling. One thing you’re canoe is missing is a wet bar😉 Is that other rig the old town Saranac 146? Canoeing such a blast! Cheers! Allan USA

[@LittleAdventureShop]

We've got a couple of Wenonahs, the friends we went with have Old Towns - well spotted!

[@jwepaterson]

I would consider keeping the InReach (and cell phones) attached to a person, rather than the boat -- if you become separated from the boat, you can call for rescue, but if it is in the boat, you are out of luck. Also, bring some games to entertain kids - cards, we have a soft checkers/chess set, etc. - particularly important when it is raining.

[@LittleAdventureShop]

Hi, thanks for your comment. Yes, absolutely the InReach probably best attached to an adult in the boat, good advice! Also the games are a must, we've managed to keep a big group of children in a tent entertained for hours playing the card game Werewolf on a particularly soggy day.

[@NateFinch]

What's the reason for barrels instead of similarly sized dry bags? I presume barrels are a lot cheaper, but I didn't know if there was some other consideration.

[@LittleAdventureShop]

Hi there, good question. A few reasons really - habit and we've always used them. They are a bit tricky to get in and out of the canoe (but once in they're a really snug fit) so I always use them to hold the gear we're not going to need until we set up camp. I prefer to use them to hold the awkward stuff like the tins, plates and gaz bottle burner which can have sharp edges that might tear a dry bag. Also if you swap over seats mid paddle then are much more comfortable to crawl over then a dry bag full of bits with sharp edges and certainly hurt less if you fall on them. Finally if you go over they float really high in the water so despite the size they are quite easy to haul back in the boat.

[@JohnSmith-gm3qm]

What was the name for the cart?

[@LittleAdventureShop]

Hi there, we took an Eckla canoe trolley, the XXL version.

[@JimCCorn]

Do you tie your gear into the canoe?

[@LittleAdventureShop]

Hi Jim. We tend to clip/tie in smaller items (water bottles, cameras, small dry bags) but not the larger barrels and bags. If the canoe flips in open water, we want the ability to easily right it, and then bail out as much water as possible. We debated using 5mm leash lines to the larger items so that they would be tethered to the boat, but decided they would create a tangle/swim hazard. Our working theory is that we would get everyone back in the boat, then pursue any loose items that are drifting in the water around the boat. It's not a perfect solution - but I think is a good compromise, between safety and practicality. Obviously - others may have a different idea and there's definitely other approaches to this. It depends on the skills/experience of the paddlers in the boat and the kind of water and weather you are expecting to be travelling through. Although we've done a fair bit of wilderness canoeing in Scotland, we've accepted that the loss of a tent/clothing etc in extreme cases, could be mitigated by other means (not least abandoning the original objective). Hope that's helpful!