Canoeing is only one among many nature trip activities you can add to your vacation itineraries. Some backpackers and hikers prefer to get off the beaten track. They want to forge ahead into new pathways and see sights unseen for a long time. With canoeing, you literally are off the beaten track because there are no tracks on water. On a wood trail, you are enclosed by the fresh air and beautiful greenery of nature. Rowing your canoe is a different sensation because it all becomes about open spaces and wide, spectacular views.

Having your own canoe is an advantage as all you’d have to do is place it on top of your car. Renting a canoe, on the other hand, means you don’t have to lug around an extremely long and potentially dangerous object.

Canoeing with your family is an activity that provides the opportunity to really get close to nature and to learn or instill the virtues of cooperation. Everyone is involved in getting to point B from point A.  You may row alternately to conserve energy, or you can row all at the same time to reach the objective faster. Kids just love to race. Since paddling or rowing down a river isn’t something you get to do everyday, the experience will provide excellent, if slightly exaggerated, bragging rights for your children and yourself.

Rowing a canoe is a repetitive chore. Children get easily bored with repetitive chores. Try racing across the river or stopping now and then at isolated beaches or large boulders to relieve the monotony of rowing. You can try making up stories to tell your children about your surroundings and the animals that live there. It’s all right. They probably won’t notice their whole life that you lied to them at that time. I should know. I was a kid too. Take the opportunity to get some good pictures out of that camera. Let them take pictures too. Better bring something that’s water resistant.

Before you even get into the canoe, you should explain about safety rules and make sure everybody is secured to their life vests. It will be pretty hard to tell them not to stand or lean over when you’re out on the water. Establish all the rules before getting in. Give pop quizzes to make sure they heard you the first time. Make a game of it if you want. Give the person with the most correct answers something to eat or some money added to their allowance. Whatever you do, make sure they know and understand the rules. For that matter, you had better know and understand them too before taking your family into deep waters. This is your family. They can’t be replaced.

When the day is over, make your kids write or draw about their experiences if you’re too tired to talk just then. Rowing can be very tiring especially if you do it only once in a lifetime. Remember, rowing a canoe expertly is second only to keeping the kids happy and occupied. If you’re really good, you might get some quality time with the spouse too.

To read more articles by Tony Robinson, check out http://golf-course-info.com