Jack is a 17-year-old honor student whose counselor has advised him to apply to Ivy League colleges. But Jack's father nixes the idea, having decided higher education is a waste of money, and Dad does not waste money. Not one cent. Jack's mother is no help, because she's a drunk. Disgusted with his dysfunctional family, Jack steals one of his dad's junker cars, withdraws all the money in his savings account, and runs away from home. He drives into Canada, where he destroys his passport and gives up any thought of turning back. Jack buys a canoe and sets out on the lakes, only to discover that paddling a canoe into the wind is no picnic, and camping is not as carefree as he had expected.