Canoeon

That's kind of like backpacking the Valle Vidal unit of Carson National Forest on your own and saying you've gone to Philmont. Many of us have been to the Boundary Waters through an outfitter and taken units through Northern Tier. It's definitely not a similar experience, both are different.

Great video and route. Though it's more correct to say in your video you went to the Boundary Waters, as you did not go to Northern Tier.

The water sediment in the Boundary Waters tends to be the perfect size to clog a filter, so any brand you're going to have issues. One of the reasons chemical treatment is more popular.

I agree with liquid gas stoves. Normally I use a JetBoil stove. The challenge is that disposable canisters can be wasteful, expensive, and difficult to manage on a large scale. In addition to the partially full canisters, no one wants to take out on their trip, that you have to dispose of. However, I would still recommend you provide feedback to Northern Tier. There is also the program component, which it sounds like your Interpreter did not do. Many crews bake a cake and other items on the trail. This requires a stove that simmers well. (Stoves like the MSR Dragonfly simmer well, a challenge with many canister stoves.) For water treatment, most programs for large groups have gone to gravity bag filters. You fill the bag when you get to camp and hang it on a tree. Individuals take turns filling their water bottles. No need to deal with hand filters along with the risk of cross-contamination. Depending on the sediment in the water, you could go through two filters on a trip. When not at camp, most chemical treatment tablets such as chlorine dioxide and sodium dichloroisocyanurate (inexpensive) are fine for the area. I would disagree on the rain pants. You had some very nice weather. However, the weather can be unpredictable and harsh, turning to the 50’s and downpour for days. It’s a very small amount of additional weight.

There are plenty of great books and online resources available. Though, mostly oriented towards adults. I would recommend Robert Beymer's book "Boundary Waters Canoe Area: Western Region". The introduction in the book provides good guidance on trip planning. The chapters explain common routes along with background and history. Depending on your own route, you'll need to reference different chapters covering the lake chain you take. It won't provide information on current portage conditions or "good" campsites. If you already have maps, make sure to bring one new set to reflect campsites that have since closed. You can buy maps from your outfitter, or directly from W.A. Fisher online (shipping folded maps via UPS letter is about $8.50 and arrives quickly). For trip planning you may want to get an overview map (E-15: Minnesota-Canadian Wilderness).

As you'll probably need an accurate temperature if someone becomes ill, an oral thermometer (with fresh batteries) should be fine. Usually I take a forehead strip thermometer as it easily indicates a fever. It's very inexpensive, durable, and can easily be sanitized.

Northern Tier provides coffee (caffeinated and decaffeinated) in coffee filter packets. The cooking pots include a percolator to heat water for your coffee. You'll review the food with your Interpreter, where you can confirm the amount of coffee being taken. You can certainly bring your own coffee if you like a specific brand. Northern Tier's food page has details on what is provided: https://www.ntier.org/food/