The cottages always seem pretty quiet whenever I’ve paddled past. I guess all the rowdies are in the canoes! The kids’ camps however are busy places. I used to want to put some distance between us, but have been impressed when I’ve crossed paths with them. A couple years ago my wife and I were slipping and struggling at an awkward put in, while a girl’s camp were unloading for their portage. One of their gang bounded forward and insisted on offering me help. I was really touched by her youthful sincerity. We’ve crossed paths many times with various camp kids and scout troops in Algonquin, both American and Canadian, and we’ve always been impressed by their hard slogging and joyful determination. Last summer my brother, our sons and I enjoyed watching some girl camp leaders racing down a lake with billowing tarps for sails, and laughing all the way down the lake.
My impression has been that the scout and camp crowds treat the park with the respect it deserves, it’s the “wilderness wanna be cooler camping crowd” who may not. Likely many of them will learn how to, and that’s a good thing, but some simply choose not to. Don’t let small things get in the way of enjoying a beautiful park.
I hope you have many more APP trips to come. BTW Sturgeon, I know that T. Thompson site you chose, and it’s my target for an August trip with my brothers and our sons. It’s large and beautiful, with excellent swimming.
Take care.