For the next three weeks we’re sharing the finalists from the Paddling Kids Story Contest. Read their stories and vote for your favorites to crown a winner! Comment below, or like and comment on Facebook and Instagram to register your support (maximum one comment per week per user). Voting for “First Canoe Camping” is open from now until 5pm ET on Thursday, November 6.
First Canoe Camping
By Owen Morris, age 7, from London, Ontario
Listen to the story here:
Hi, my name is Owen. I’m seven years old and I really like beef stroganoff.
This summer I went on my first canoe trip to Algonquin Park with my grandpa, my sisters Emily and Kaitlyn and my dad. We went on a five-day, four-night trip. It was lots of fun. The only thing I didn’t like about it was the bugs.
We started on Canoe Lake. It was raining a lot, but it got nicer as we paddled. The hard part was getting used to the different strokes. I loved exploring the campsite we stayed at on Tom Thomson Lake.
The next day, we had breakfast sandwiches. Then we got in the canoes again. We portaged into Kooy Pond. It really didn’t have much water in it, so we had to walk around it. So muddy! After getting out of Kooy Pond to get away from the bugs, we decided to have lunch in the canoes in the middle of Willow Lake.
On the second and third night, we stayed on an island at Sunbeam Lake. We saw a bunch of catfish. I got my lure under a rock, but they didn’t go for it. The island was the best. We explored and named parts of it. We had our own little table and benches.
I loved climbing on the rocks. We went and explored a waterfall, then an underwater beach. I was able to walk out so far.
On the fourth day, we paddled through Vanishing Pond. There wasn’t much room to paddle. We crashed the canoe a few times against the edge of the channel.
On the last night we stayed on the east arm of Joe Lake. It was hot, so we swam a lot. The rock in the water was so slippery, but we made it. After dinner, we watched the sunset and the stars.
On the last day, we paddled out and had lunch at the canoe store. I had chocolate milk, a hamburger and ice cream. It was so yummy! Then we drove home. It was so good to sleep in my own bed again.
I don’t know who’s more proud of this. Great job Owen. Looking forward to our next trip.
What a great trip report, Owen!
Love this! Keep paddling!
I love the story!
Great paddling, Owen! Too bad about the fishing!
Fun times! Sounds like a wonderful time.
Keep paddling, Owen!
Well done Owen, you accomplished a lot on that trip. Bravo
We vote for Owen Morris’ story as our favourite!
A great story Owen. Thank you for sharing. What an adventure for such a little guy !
What a fantastic adventure!
You have my vote!
What a fun adventure you had Owen, inspiring for many I would think
Owen, being out in the wild, even with family is a major undertaking, it is great to hear you had such fun…despite the bugs ! Well done !
I enjoy Owen’s travelogue of his first canoe camping trip. He described his stops and waterway with detail specific to each site. He was honest…bugs, rain and not catching a fish, but his enthusiasm for the trip came through. Good for him…he sounds like a gun travel companion
What an amazing journey you had! It sounds like such a great memory with your grandpa, dad and sisters — one you’ll cherish forever. I’m sure you really enjoyed that burger on your last day!
Sounds like an awesome trip Owen.
What an amazing adventure! Your story really captures the magic of being out in nature. It sounds like you were brave, curious, and full of excitement the whole trip. I love how you noticed all the little details, like the slippery rocks and the yummy food at the end. Keep exploring and keep writing.
I really like “First canoe camping” from such a young kid – he’ll remember this trip for life and likely kindle the fire for more challenging adventures
That looks like a lot of fun! Your article is well written and I left like I was there with you enjoying the trip! You are very articulate and express yourself well — you’ve got my vote!
Loved Owen’s article about paddling in Algonquin park
Hello Paddling magazine Staffers!
I’m not sure how this works but I’d like to cast my vote for 7 year old Owen who likes beef stroganoff. Now there’s an up and coming canoe tripper!
I vote for First Canoe Camping, by Owen Morris – love the story!!
Can’t wait to read about your next adventure Owen.
I like the simplicity of Owen Morris’ account of his first canoe camping trip and he gets my vote!
Owen Morris gets my vote for his awesome description of his first canoe camping trip!
Very much enjoyed young Owen Morris’ “First Canoe Camping Trip.” Wishing him good luck,
Gita Beattie
Great couple of days and a great story. I also hate bugs.
Well done Owen