| A canoeing trip for the entire family is a | | | | each hour afterward. A cap with a beak to |
| great way to spend a lazy summer afternoon. | | | | help deflect the sun's rays from children's |
| Before packing up and heading to the nearest | | | | faces is another helpful idea. |
| river, however, give some thought to | | | | |
| preparing your kids for this special | | | | Bring a bottle of water and perhaps a snack. |
| adventure to make sure they have a safe, fun | | | | This will keep young children from clamoring |
| time. Like adults, they could benefit from | | | | for the ride to be over so they can get |
| special coaching or preparation before | | | | something to eat. You can put these items in |
| boarding a livery or family canoe and pushing | | | | a tote bag, or stash them under the canoe |
| out into a rushing stream. | | | | seat, but try to keep the kids from eating |
| | | | them until later in the trip, as a snack will |
| Make sure your kids know how to swim. | | | | give them something to look forward to. |
| Hopefully they have taken lessons and | | | | |
| received basic swimmers' certifications up to | | | | Have them visit the restrooms before getting |
| this point. If not, you will need to keep a | | | | in the canoe. Splashing water can make little |
| eye on them to be sure they don't fall in the | | | | ones want to go to the bathroom. Simply being |
| water. | | | | in the boat for a couple of hours can make it |
| | | | difficult for them to hold out. Since there |
| Check their safety equipment. Are the | | | | is no way to use the bathroom on a canoe, |
| lifejackets inflated properly? Do kids know | | | | make sure they visit the restroom right |
| how to use them or other life-preserving | | | | before boarding. |
| equipment if needed? Take a few minutes to | | | | |
| show the proper use of these items so kids | | | | Teach them water safety. Don't let the kids |
| won't get confused or overwhelmed in the | | | | horseplay in the canoe by splashing each |
| event of an accident. | | | | other with the oars, standing up in the boat, |
| | | | leaning too far over the side, or making |
| Take along sunscreen and sunglasses. Kids' | | | | gestures t passing boaters. Navigating a body |
| skin and eyes are more delicate than those of | | | | of water requires careful attention and |
| adults, so it is important to protect them | | | | respect for the passage and for others. Kids |
| from sunburn or eye damage, especially if you | | | | need to learn early in life how to navigate a |
| will be in the water for a couple of hours or | | | | canoe trip so they will be able to take more |
| longer. Have them apply sunscreen right | | | | such trips in the future and perhaps manage |
| before boarding the canoe. Apply it again | | | | the canoe on their own someday. |