Kids in a canoe in the Great Outdoors - how could they not have fun?

My two daughters, aged 3 and 4, are already digital natives. They can use my iPhone with ease, program the cable TV and work the DVD player. I don’t even think this is a bad thing, because they need to be equiped for the rapid technological changes that are occuring around us. I do however want to make sure they balance this digital prowess with a love, respect and understanding of the natural world around us. With this in mind, I took the opportunity to take them on their first camping trip to the Lane Cove National Park, complete with the family canoe to explore the beautiful Lane Cove River.

A first.. sleeping outdoors in a tent. So much fun!!

What followed was a fun night with friends, hours spent rolling around giggling in the dirt, dashes into the tent when it rained, torch games at night, and then an incredible morning canoeing the Lane Cove River with its teeming population of Water Dragons. All in all the girls had a brilliant weekend and have been demanding to know when we’re going again. Mission accomplished! Cheers – FP

Let's go Daddy let's go let's go let's go let's go let's go!!

Daddy! Look, on the branch! It's a lizard, a great big lizard!

Ooooh, its a Water Dragon! Look how big it is Daddy!

Wow Daddy, the river is so pretty. Will we find anymore dragons? Will we?

DADDY!!!!!!!!! Over there, look! Look! Another dragon!!

Over here Daddy! Look, that dragon is hiding in the water!

There Daddy, there he is. He must be hot, that's why he's having a little swim.

Lastly, a little paddling lesson for Miss4. With her Badger Paddle in hand, she quickly learnt how to paddle the canoe forward down the river. Well done sweety, Daddy is proud of you!