Podcast Recap: Raising Resilient Kids Outdoors — with Mercede Rogers

Welcome to another episode of Paddle Like a Girl! This week, I sat down with Mercede Rogers—outdoor educator, canoe tripping camp director, and mom of two—to talk about the power of outdoor experiences for kids. We explored how summer camps help build confidence, resilience, and independence in children, and why it’s okay (and necessary) for parents to start small, ask hard questions, and give themselves grace when navigating outdoor adventures as a family.

Meet Mercede Rogers

Mercede is a lifelong canoe tripper, professional educator, and director at Camp Wanapitei, where she oversees more than 60 canoe trips every summer. She’s worked with top outdoor organizations like Outward Bound and Camp Tamakwa, sits on the board for Friends of Temagami, and brings decades of experience in outdoor leadership. As a mom of two adventurous boys, she combines her professional expertise with real-world parenting wisdom to help families connect with nature, build confidence, and embrace the joys and challenges of backcountry life.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

• Start Small, Think Big – Whether you’re sending your child to camp or going on your first family canoe trip, starting with short, local adventures can ease everyone into outdoor living and build skills over time.

• Summer Camps Offer So Much More Than Fun – Canoe tripping camps help kids build resilience, communication skills, and self-reliance while giving them meaningful relationships with mentors outside their immediate family.

• Parental Hesitation is Normal – Mercede acknowledges that post-COVID parenting has changed how we approach sending kids to camp—but with the right questions and honest conversations, families can find safe, enriching experiences for their children.

Q&A Highlights

Q: What do kids actually gain from going on a canoe trip with a camp instead of just their family?

A: Mercede explains that group trips teach kids how to work through conflict, advocate for themselves, and develop independence in a way that’s very different from family trips, where parents often carry the emotional and logistical load.

Q: What advice would you give to a parent nervous about sending their kid to camp?

A: Talk to the camp! Ask hard questions about safety, training, accommodations, and financial support. Mercede emphasizes that many camps, including hers, offer flexible payment plans and bursaries to support access for all families.

Q: What’s your number one tip for camping with kids?

A: Be flexible and realistic. Know that one adult may need to be on kid-duty 100% of the time while the other handles camp tasks. Simplify your plans, leave room for extra rest days, and most importantly—remember why you’re doing it.

Where to Listen & Connect

Catch the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. To learn more about Mercede’s work, check out Camp Wanapitei or follow Friends of Temagami for updates on conservation and canoe country culture.

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