The Three Generation Guys Camping Trip to Crotch Lake

 

A campfire glows over our Long Island camp site after sunset

What began as an annual camping trip with my son, Scott, to Eastern Ontario's Crotch Lake over a decade ago has grown into a three generation guys trip encompassing both my sons-in-law, Charles and Justin and their boys, Theo and Fox. These energetic seven-year-olds though enthusiastic campers, are new to the realm of outdoor living. Wilderness camping with small children has its challenges. There are many potential dangers lurking in the outdoors -  uneven footing on the Precambrian Shield rock, the nearby lake, campfires, noxious plants, and biting insects. Thankfully, this year the bugs, both mosquitoes and horse flies, were almost nonexistent, and poison ivy was nowhere to be found at our camp site.

Theo (left) and Fox (right) in conversation

 The reward for me in camping with kids is to watch their youthful exuberance and sheer joy as they experience the wilderness, far removed from the daily distractions of modern life. No TV, no video games, no scheduled activities -- just nature in its varied forms --catching frogs, handling a garter snake, listening to the loons and observing these graceful birds as they swim past the camp. 

Though not natural, but none-the-less heavenly, making marshmallow and chocolate S'mores over a campfire is part of the joy for kids at camp.

Except for a fast moving thunderstorm that drenched us at the landing just as we were about to set off in our 14-foot boat and Sportspal canoe, the weather was excellent for the three-day camp. We had warm summer days, perfect for swimming, and cool nights, conducive for sleeping in a tent. We brought a dinning shelter to defend against the bugs but only used it a couple of times for dinner. 

In the dark sky environment absent of any city light pollution, Charles, an amateur astronomer, educated us on the stars, constellations and planets. He had all of our attention as we stared up at the star-lit universe above us. The rest of the story is best told in pictures.

         Fox in the bow of the Sportspal
 with Scott at the tiller of the 2.5 hp motor.
Fox is wearing Gramps bush jacket and Justin's rain pants.
Who forgot to pack his rain gear? He is doing a scarecrow imitation. 


Bosom buddies spy something
across the lake

Scott with a smallmouth bass as
his dog Chloe looks on

A gorgeous sunset over beautiful Crotch Lake 

Comments

  1. Scott ShackellAugust 24, 2026 at 7:57 AM

    Another great trip we definitely lucked out with the weather

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kathryn WitneyAugust 24, 2026 at 6:52 PM

    Sounds and looks like it was a trip that will be remembered with fondness for years to come! Beautifully written blog and great pics!

    ReplyDelete
  3. HarveyAugust 25, 2026 at 9:44 AM

    Kevin, your blog shows your talent for telling a story along with your easy going way.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jimmy ButlerAugust 26, 2026 at 10:23 PM

    A placid, mood-setting piece whose reminders of simple pleasures steers one off the autoroute of a gruelling, turbulent world. Well done, Kevin!

    ReplyDelete

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