I probably should have read this 5 years ago
It took a little bit for me to go camping but once I did, I fell in love! But the hardest part was the first time! I didn’t know what to expect, what to pack, what to do when I got there! Guys, if you’re having a hard time convincing the lady to go camping, here are 5 ways that may pursue her:
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Alysha’s father’s day gift to me was a camping trip. At 20months old this would be her first camping trip. For her first camping trip we decided we would go to Hall campground in Parry Sound. This was the campground that I went camping as a child and have many memories from. 
We were on the road by 10am and after listening to two hours of Toopy and Bino and Finding Nemo we arrived at the campground by 2pm. The place had not changed a bit, beyond some paint on the Marina and the Cabins. We were able to get site 16A, which in my opinion is one of the best sites in the campground. It is beside cabin #1, which was the cabin my family would rent out almost every summer growing up. The Site is on a small hill overlooking Mill lake. We have water access and easy fishing right from our site.
We quickly set up our campsite and was time for Alysha to go on her canoe ride. Canoeing is my favourite craft and have been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to share it with my daughter. Alysha had no issues with her new life jacket and very calmly sat in the bottom of the canoe while me and my wife started our paddle along the shoreline of the camp ground. After feeling the water from the canoe, and crawling around under the yoke she turned and looked at me with a smile that will inspire all my canoeing to come. We kept the first trip short as it was just an introduction and wanted to see how she would behave in the canoe.
After getting back and putting the canoe and gear away we headed to the beach so Alysha could go down the slides which was probably her favourite part of the whole trip. However one of mine was spending the evening sitting by a camp fire roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. Second would be that this was my first camp all year where the wood wasn’t wet from snow and rain, and did not take any work or craft to light the fire.
Since we were just car camping we had the 6 person tent and brought Alysha’s fold out couch so she would be extra comfortable. She had little problems going to sleep once she was used to the new surroundings. We made sure she had her blanket from home to go in her sleeping bag and she had her night time stuffed toy to make her more at ease. She slept well throughout the night until 4am, when it was starting to get light out and all I could hear was “Daddy…..Mommmy….Mommmy” and looked up to see her staring at us. So I re-tucked her in and she was out like a light.
Day 2
We decided we would start the day with another canoe paddle to get Alysha used to the canoe. Again no problems getting her settled into the canoe, and we started our paddle. Alysha found the ride so comfortable that she curled up in the bottom of the canoe and slept the trip away. We took to the opposite shoreline, and down by the bridge and up the marina. Nothing to far but just enough to stretch out the morning muscles and enjoy the calm of the water.
We took a hike around the camp ground to show my wife my childhood stomping grounds. After stopping and talking at the marina we learnt that there was a dragon boat festival going on in town. So we packed up a lunch after our hike and headed to the festival. Alysha quickly found the playground and the slides. After watching a couple of the races and the opening ceremonies, we headed to the docks to get ready for our 30,000 Island cruise.
Again the cruise is another tradition from camping in Parry Sound as a child so I thought it would be nice to take Alysha on it. With lots of room to explore the ship and all the fresh air; Alysha decided she would sleep through the la
st 1000 islands.
We got back in time to start dinner which was homemade pizza. This was the first time I would be using my outback oven, however I did not test the gear before bringing it into the field. Sure enough there was a defect in the handle/temperature gage, which made operating the oven more than difficult. However we had extra tortilla shells which made good substitute pizza dough. We had a cherry cheesecake for dessert. Cynthia and I decided we would do some fishing off the point, Alysha was watching from her camp chair. After a half hour we looked over and Alysha was falling asleep in the chair…..Yes I know it seems like all she did was sleep this trip, but in truth she spent the rest of the time being a kids running from point a to b, just to collect sticks and rocks.
We put Alysha to bed in the tent
, and I decided I would take a solo trip out in the canoe as the sun was setting…I regretted after not taking my camera out with me. A little sad that this was our last night, and my last chance this trip to be out in my canoe, I tripped around the island on mill lake and back to the camp site. After sitting out by the fire for awhile, Cynthia and I joining Alysha in the tent. We played cards for a bit before sleeping.
Day 3
We woke up to thunderstorms and waited out in the tent until the rain slowed enough that we could as quick as we could get the car packed up and hit the road. We ended up drenched from head to toe and decided we would just grab a McDonalds breakfast so we could use the bathroom to change into dry clothes for the trip home.
This was a great Fathers day trip, that I will remember forever. I am looking forward to a lot of year camping with my family and teaching my Daughter how to canoe.
KOTI Adventures 