Leaving Home

[conbuch]

have you thought about an extended canoe trip?

I've never been real big on canoeing, but I'll always consider new opportunities.

[gryffynklm]

Sorry, conbuch, no parent approval..... I can't give any encouragement of that. The trek with parent approval, Woo Hoo rock on.

Without, they will be looking for you and at your computer and this forum especially if you are not 18.

[Rick]

No natural. You can boil. That's easy enough to do but more time consuming. You have to wait for the water to cool down. The pumps are good but you'll likely go through several filters. That's more money and more resupply. Tablets are good, too but the iodine ones are not good for you long term and the other can require up to 4 hours to treat the water. Short answer is they all have their advantages and disadvantages. The lightest and simplest is just to boil the water then let it cool down. I'd take some backup, either pump or tablets (your choice) as a backup. There will be rainy days that building a fire isn't going to be your best option. Of course, you can gather rain water on those days, too.

[crashdive123]

Yeah, I can understand why shots were taken and all.
But I'm not looking for a quick way out of school, or just angsty about parents.
I've put a good amount of thought into this, and prepare to follow through.

As for parents, no to all.
I know for a fact that they would not support me leaving at all for an extended period of time. Asking for their permission is not something I'm going to do.

I will wish you luck and happiness, but since you are a minor, and without your parents approval, I am not comfortable offering advice.

[Rick]

Yeah, you scat without their approval and you can bet a BOLO will be issued for you. I had a couple of buddies that did just what you are talking about their senior year. They got arrested three states away.

[Ken]

Asking for their permission is not something I'm going to do.

And if you fall flat on your face, asking them if you can move back in isn't something you should do either.

[Sarge47]

It's pretty discouraging seeing all the sarcasm and negativity after my first thread. I can only reiterate that it sucks being poked fun of like this. I'm asking for help, and I at least expected some respect from experienced outdoors men like you guys.

Soooo, you're sayin' that you're not getting the answers you want, is that right? Just askin.

[BENESSE]

Yeah, no problem. As I stated, I'm a 17 year old Michigan resident.
I've been a Boy Scout since Tiger Cubs, and am currently Eagle.

Have you talked to or asked advice from any of your scout masters? It just seems like a good place to start.

[Justin Case]

you should start your research on other kids that have died doing what you are planning to do,, I think you ARE running away from something, and since you admit that you will not tell your parents , proves it, IMO

[Rick]

That is some good advice, Benesse.

[Sarge47]

conbuch, have you shared any of your dreams with your parents and what do they think about it all?
Do you have any friends with similar interests? Would any of them like to join you on this 3 month adventure or are you planing on going by yourself?

There's a book I'd like to recommend. (please don't be put off by the title!) It's by Stephen King, titled The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon. It's an engrossing read and you'll get a lot out of it.
Good luck.

Great book! It's the one that got me thinking more about survival preps!

[conbuch]

Soooo, you're sayin' that you're not getting the answers you want, is that right? Just askin.

Not at all, this thread has been incredibly helpful.

[Ken]

Great book! It's the one that got me thinking more about survival preps!

What??? You really been thinking???

[DOGMAN]

there are some really cool summer camps in Canada, that do extended canoe trips. All summer traveling the wildest places in the Far North. They take care of the logisitcs, but you do all the work and see tons of cool stuff. They teach you lots of cool stuff to. Its structured, but still a wild experience. If you got a job now, you could save up enough cash by summer to go!

[conbuch]

Have you talked to or asked advice from any of your scout masters? It just seems like a good place to start.

I haven't, but do feel comfortable starting there.
Thanks for the idea

[conbuch]

you should start your research on other kids that have died doing what you are planning to do,, I think you ARE running away from something, and since you admit that you will not tell your parents , proves it, IMO

Think what you will, but that really isn't why I'm doing this.
I feel like I shouldn't need to wait to explore this vast world.
I'd like to do things differently, and start early with living adventurously.

[Sarge47]

I know it's easy to call me out because Im still young, naive, and impulsive.
That's why I threw in that little disclaimer.
I don't know if it makes you feel more authoritative or something, but bashing me from assumptions and providing no positive criticism is pretty obnoxious.
I'm not asking anything of you specifically, so if you don't want to help, just don't post here man.

1st, you're out of line! Ken is an attorny, & a darn good one. What you're talking about is the same thing as running away from home! Ken has helped many members on here with his extensive legal knowledge & has more survival knowledge in his little finger than most people will ever have. Just because he won't shoot a squirrel for supper, don't mistake him for some kind of wuss! You have no right telling senior members NOT to post here! You invited yourself, remember?

[Rick]

Jeeeese. You can do the Boundary Waters. That's almost in your back yard.

[Sarge47]

Not at all, this thread has been incredibly helpful.

IMO, your motivation for wanting to do this, based on your post, is based on emotions as opposed to logic. Sorry, but I'm not going to pat you on the head & tell you it's ok. You're 17 years old; if you were an adult it would be different. I think you ARE running away from something, dispite your protests.

[DOGMAN]

Think what you will, but that really isn't why I'm doing this.
I feel like I shouldn't need to wait to explore this vast world.
I'd like to do things differently, and start early with living adventurously.

I agree. Life should be adventourous. But, you have to be honest with your parents and yourself. I admire your attitude, communication skills and desire. But, there is a responsible way to live adventure, and then there is the reckless way. If you want FREEDOM in life you have to be honest. Famous adventureres like Will Steger, Yvonne Choniard and Paul Petzoldt all took off from home in their mid-teens and lived wild adventures...but there parents knew about it, and gave them their blessings. Don't be a Chris McCandless...be a role model, not a ridicule magnet