BETTER DROWNED THAN DUFFERS IF NOT DUFFERS WON’T DROWN.
from “Swallows and Amazons” by Arthur Ransome
* * * * *
As I wrote the other day, the boys were eager to take their new inflatable dinghy (on sale at the hardware store last week) down the river. I did have some doubts about sending an eight-and-a-half year-old, ten-year-old, and even a 12-year-old, with only informal paddling and sailing experience but strong swimming skills, off for three hours on their own on the river. No cell phone either. But they did have life jackets, common sense, and enthusiasm, and the river couldn’t have been any calmer. Saturday night, after a long, hot (31 degrees C) day most of which was spent helping their father shingle a roof, the boys along with their sister set sail on the river about two miles south of our house, where the river valley backs on to a farmer’s pasture. The plan was for the kids to paddle the eight to 10 miles in the dinghy to the provincial park in town. With leisurely paddling along the very quiet waters and lots of animal-watching, the trip took them about three hours. We collected them just before 10:30 pm, and they were all grinning broadly. By their count, they noted 30 sightings of beavers (Davy figured only 18 beavers in total, with lots of repeats including one who kept swimming just ahead of the dinghy), six beaver lodges, five muskrats, two deer (one mule, one white-tail), two mother ducks with ducklings, one dead female mallard in the reeds during their only portage, and 20 geese.
The kids were inspired by hearing Tom regale them again and again with his story of paddling contest down the North Saskatchewan River when he was in his twenties, and by the Arrogant Worms/Captain Tractor song, “The Last Saskatchewan Pirate”. Here’s to many more summer adventures.
Some pictures from the beginning of the trip. It was getting too dark for photos at 10:30.
Loading up the dinghy,
Laura surveying the river valley,
A curious muskrat,
Around the bend and away,
Related Farm School posts:
But will they change Titty’s name?
In search of freedom and independence, and big bangs
Outdoor life, or, How to have an old-fashioned, dangerous summer
Filed under: Childhood, Country Life, Courting Danger, Family, Fun & Games, Natural History, Outdoor Education, Raising Children, Travel
What a wonderful adventure for them! Are you familiar with the Free Range Kids blog? I’m not affiliated with it in any way–this post just reminds me of it and the need to give our children space to roam. Thanks for sharing! Oh, and I now have that Arrogant Worms songs going thru my head. :-)
Risa, I’ve been raising kids like this since 1998, letting them roam
on 320 acres : ).
Every era seems to have its books (and now blogs) about raising kids and getting back to nature. Before free range children, nature deficit disorder (oy), getting children to love dirt, dangerous boys and girls, there was Daniel Carter Beard, who back in 1882 tried to “encourage city boys to recover their natural independence and self-sufficiency” with “The American Boy’s Handy Book”. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?!
Here are some of my earlier posts,
More thoughts on independence and freedom
Further thoughts on self-esteem and self-confidence
In search of freedom and independence, and big bangs
Outdoor life, or, How to have an old-fashioned, dangerous summer
Aaah, lovely, lovely stuff to do on a lovely-looking summer day :) Thanks for sharing this Becky!
Suji, summer is short here so we try to make the most of it!
Good for you. What a dream of a summer adventure. I sent my friends 12 year old son off to walk to the bakery 4 blocks away to get something for us and he was THRILLED. He had NEVER done anything like that. Oh man.
My boys recently spent a day kayaking between shore and a not-too-distant island at a nearby lake. They had such a ball, ferrying items (and kids) back and forth. I kept thinking of Swallows and Amazons. I love that book. Glad you’re enjoying your summer!