Canoe and Kayak Trips
Teen Wilderness experiences are more challenging than the wilderness experiences available through our Overnight Camps. As such, they have a higher degree of risk and require more from their participants.
Camp Menogyn
This business operates on behalf of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness program located within the Superior National Forest. As a BWCAW program Cooperator, this business is an equal opportunity service provider.
Intro to Canoeing: Boundary Waters
Grades 7–8
This is a great opportunity for younger campers to experience the Menogyn Magic for the first time. Campers will prepare for their trip in camp and then spend 2 nights and 3-4 days on trail exploring the beautiful Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Everyone will have fun learning how to paddle, portage, and set up camp.
Longer Boundary Waters Adventures
Grades 8–12
An incredible adventure for all teens! Regardless of skill level or previous canoeing experience, Menogyn guides work with campers to develop their wilderness skills as they enjoy a 10-day wilderness canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). There is also more time to create lasting friendships and have fun.
Quetico Provincial Park Canoe
Grades 10–12
Campers deepen their expedition canoeing skills as they paddle and portage through the beautiful lakes and rivers of Ontario’s Quetico Provincial Park. The Quetico is more remote and challenging than the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) – a perfect opportunity for experienced campers. Please note: the Canadian border must be open for groups to enter the Quetico. If the Canadian border remains closed, this trip will operate within the Boundary Waters.
BOLD & GOLD
Tier 1 | Grades 7–9
Tier 2 | Grades 8–12
Boys and Girls Outdoor Leadership Development is an outdoor education program designed to develop cultural competency and leadership skills in young men and women through challenging outdoor activities. Our canoeing expeditions provide an opportunity for teens from different economic, ethnic, religious, and social backgrounds to build leadership, communication, and decision-making skills using the wilderness as our classroom.
Nor’westers
Grades 11–12
INVITATION ONLY
These adventures travel some of the most pristine rivers and scenic mountain ranges in North America. Campers can choose between backpacking in the Rocky Mountains or paddling Canadian rivers. Campers work on leadership development while learning about river travel or off-trail hiking. Campers will refine their backcountry skills as they travel the wilderness in a small, supportive group.
Hommes / Femmes du Nord
Grades 12–Adult
INVITATION ONLY
These trips are the final adventure offered in Menogyn's progressive trip lineup. These canoeing groups will paddle the wild rivers of the Northwest Territories.
Long trips offer new challenges that, when faced together, build relationships that last a lifetime. Using skills and expedition mentality developed on previous Menogyn trips, campers have the opportunity to experience a truly once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Camp Widjiwagan
This business operates on behalf of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness program located within the Superior National Forest. As a BWCAW program Cooperator, this business is an equal opportunity service provider.
Pathfinders
Grade 6
This 5-day experience is a great way to introduce eager campers to canoe and camping skills, as well as the tradition and history of Widji and the BWCAW.
Campers will spend 2 days getting ready for an overnight camping trip. On the 3rd morning of camp, the campers will paddle to a nearby campsite on Burntside Lake to get a sense of what ‘trail life’ is like and camp overnight with their fellow Pathfinders and two Widji Counselors. The group will return the next day and be involved with the closing celebration. This trip is a great way to introduce an eager camper to Camp Widjiwagan.
Intro to Canoeing
Grades 7–8
These sessions are ideal for first-time campers looking for an introduction to the Widji experience and the Boundary Waters. Campers will learn the basic skills of canoeing, camping, and navigation in a fun and supportive environment. A typical Intro trail group consists of two Widji trail counselors and four to six campers.
Although canoeing and portaging can be demanding, working as a team allows campers to accomplish a lot more together than they could as individuals. All campers are expected to pitch in and do their share of the work by carrying packs and tents across portages which may be up to a mile long!
Boundary Waters Trips
Grades 8–10
These canoe adventures are our most popular trips – perfect for excited, first-time campers as well as seasoned canoeists. Each group of between four and six campers is under the leadership of one Widji trail counselor.
Over the course of the trip, a group may travel 60-140 miles through the heart of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), learning and refining their paddling and camping skills along the way.
Quetico Trips
Grades 9–12
The rugged portages, generally less populated campsites, and pristine lakes of Canada’s Quetico Provincial Park provide adventure for campers who are excited about challenging themselves.
Trail groups of four to six campers and one counselor travel deep into the heart of the Quetico. Campers will refine their technical skills and learn the basics of expedition-style canoe tripping.
BOLD & GOLD
Tier 2 | Grades 8–12
Tier 3 | Grades 9–12
Boys and Girls Outdoor Leadership Development is an outdoor education program designed to develop cultural competency and leadership skills in young men and women through challenging outdoor activities. Our canoeing expeditions provide an opportunity for teens from different economic, ethnic, religious, and social backgrounds to build leadership, communication, and decision-making skills using the wilderness as our classroom.
Explorer Canoe
Grade 11
INVITATION ONLY
Sessions are 26 days, with about 21 days on trail. Groups often explore the Crownlands of Ontario, the Quetico Provincial Park, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).
Advanced Explorer Canoe
Grade 12
INVITATION ONLY
Sessions are 35 days, with 26 days on trail. Groups travel farther north and generally spend a significant amount of time in either Wabakimi Provincial Park in Ontario or Caribou Provincial Park in Canada.
Voyageur Canoe
Grade 12
INVITATION ONLY
Sessions are 48 days, with 35 to 39 days on trail. This trip travels to the Arctic rivers of Canada and Alaska. Recent groups have paddled Coppermine, Dubawnt, Kazan, and Thelon Rivers in Canada.
The wilderness experiences provided by our Overnight Camps are a great way to find out if our more challenging Teen Wilderness programming might be for them.
Camp Icaghowan
Pioneers / Challengers / Chioneers
Grades 8–9
During a river canoe trip, campers experience the challenge of navigating river waters and living in the outdoors. Campers start with two days of in-camp skills and safety training, trip preparation, and then head out for 10 days of canoeing on a river in Northern Wisconsin, covering 100–175 miles!
Islanders
Grades 9–10
Islanders is a great opportunity for older campers to continue to expand their wilderness camping experience. They will leave Wallace Island to dip their paddles in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Superior on a 6-day sea kayaking adventure. They will camp in the picturesque Apostle Islands National Lakeshore with an Icaghowan counselor and 2 expert sea kayaking guides through Lost Creek Adventures in Cornucopia, Wisconsin.
Camp Ihduhapi
Explorers
Grade 7–8
Explorers is a two-week session that introduces campers to the wonderful adventure of a canoe trip! The program starts with campers getting to know each other and practicing canoeing skills in camp. The next few days are spent on a short canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) or similar wilderness area.
Voyageurs
Grade 9
Voyageurs is a two-week session that expands on canoeing and leadership skills. Before and after the five-day canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), campers enjoy preparations and traditional camp activities at Camp Ihduhapi.
BOLD & GOLD
Tier 1 | Grades 7–9
Boys and Girls Outdoor Leadership Development is an outdoor education program designed to develop cultural competency and leadership skills in young men and women through challenging outdoor activities. Our canoeing expeditions provide an opportunity for teens from different economic, ethnic, religious, and social backgrounds to build leadership, communication, and decision-making skills using the wilderness as our classroom.
Junior Leaders
Grade 10
Junior Leaders is a two-week session that sends campers on a pinnacle 10-day canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).
Counselors in Training (CIT)
Grade 11
Counselor In Training is a four-week session for teens that want to develop mentoring and leadership opportunities as Camp Counselors. CITs build counseling skills by working together on team-building and leadership skills necessary in guiding younger campers. For the last weeks of their experience, CITs apply their new skills by shadowing experienced counselors in a cabin of younger campers and leading all camp activities.
Camp St. Croix
Frontiers
Grades 7–8
Our Frontiers campers learn the basics of canoe tripping before they spend two nights camping and paddling the lower St. Croix River. For most of our Frontiers, it is their first time traveling by canoe.
Voyageurs
Grades 8–9
Our Voyageur campers spend the first few days at camp reviewing their paddling and river safety skills, then they will spend 8 days on the Namekagon and St. Croix riverway before returning to Camp St. Croix to tell the tale of their river trip.
BOLD & GOLD
Tier 1 | Grades 7–9
Boys and Girls Outdoor Leadership Development is an outdoor education program designed to develop cultural competency and leadership skills in young men and women through challenging outdoor activities. Our canoeing expeditions provide an opportunity for teens from different economic, ethnic, religious, and social backgrounds to build leadership, communication, and decision-making skills using the wilderness as our classroom.
Camp Warren
Short Border Canoe Trip
Grades 7–12
Canoeists leave base camp to dip their paddles into crystal-clear water while gliding past majestic pines in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). On this beginning to a mid-level wilderness canoe trip, campers learn the basics of wilderness canoe-tripping and minimum impact camping. Campers begin with in-camp preparations before their 5-day trip to the BWCAW. The remainder of the 2-week session is spent doing traditional camp activities. This is great preparation for longer canoe trips.
Long Border Canoe Trip
Grades 9–12
INVITATION ONLY
The Border trip is the pinnacle canoe trip experience at Camp Warren. The trip has a long history and is rich in traditions. Campers will arrive at camp on Sunday, prepare for the trip and then head out on a 10-day trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).
Long Long Border
Grades 9–12
INVITATION ONLY
Long Long Border is a longer canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). This trip’s roots date back to 1972 when Warren began running the “Outpost” trip for campers who wished to experience more expeditionary travel after their Long Border year. Campers that excelled on Long Border are invited on this extended canoe trip to explore more of the wilderness area and further strengthen their expeditionary travel and leadership skills.
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