About Us

1) This is a MEN's trip

       Since the first one was being planned there was always some chatter about when the nieces/nephews/cousins got older and not wanting to hurt feelings.  I understand this, I'll have to deal with it myself. What does that mean? It means it's on all of us as Fathers to make sure our girls don't feel that way, without compromising our MEN'S trip. What that looks like is up to you. I'm open to planning a separate father/daughter trip. Maybe you do it on your own. Maybe there's a separate all girls trip with the wives. Whatever it is I'm confident we can take care of our girls without feminizing our men's trip.

2) The "Age of Reason"

   I think this was the definition we settled on when it came to the age we start bringing our young men. This was intentionally vague. I don't think any of us can really dictate for each other what age that is. Recently we have started to define the "age of reason" as having received the sacrament of First Communion. Here are some things to contemplate when making this decision though...

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(A) The goal of the trip was to be a men's trip where we fellowship and shape our young men into grown men of God. We want our young men to be drawn up in maturity not pulled down by the distraction of lots of little cousins. (Feels like there's a better way to say that but hopefully you get the point.)

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(B) Just like with the girls, it is possible for those of you with different aged boys to soften the blow about everyone not getting to go on the trip. Plan a different trip where you take all your boys. Allow them to experience the wild and start preparing for their turn to join the men. There's something to be said for having something to look forward to. No need to rush them growing up, their time will come soon enough.

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(C) Logistically, keep in mind that you are responsible for your crew. Your child/ren should be capable of carrying their own gear, in their own pack, over several miles in the mountain air. If they can't then you better be in extra good shape because their extra stuff is going in your pack. Maybe that extra trip I mentioned earlier that you take your younger boys on can be a good gauge. Make it a short backpacking trip and make them carry their own gear. See how they do. Find out how much whining there is. See if they're even old enough to like it. If they don't even like it they'll have an easier time with being left at home that year too.

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(D) Having said all that, let's revisit the first part. These are the guidelines but the burden is on each individual father to make decisions for his family.  There will be no judgment on your decision. Just make the right one ;)