Camp · Adventure · Ages 11–12 · $1,127/week
Directory · United States · Minnesota · Ely
▌ Adventure · Ages 11–12

Pathfinder Canoe Trip

Ely, MN · $1,127/week

An introductory canoe trip for 6th graders, focusing on basic skills and a short overnight experience in the BWCA.

▌ Editor's read The provided URL loads successfully, directing to Camp Widjiwagan, which is part of the YMCA of the North. Camp Widjiwagan is ACA accredited, with its accreditation expiring in 2025, as confirmed by the ACA's search tool. The camp has been operating for over 75 years, having been founded in 1947, and is owned by a nonprofit organization (YMCA). The website mentions that staff undergo background checks and extensive training. Camp Widjiwagan offers overnight wilderness canoe trips, primarily in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Google reviews for Camp Widjiwagan show a strong rating of 4.9 stars based on 100 reviews, with many reviewers praising the transformative experiences and skilled staff. Social media handles found are @campwidjiwagan on Instagram and CampWidjiwagan on Facebook.
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ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 195175+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Register → Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 11–12

Pathfinder Canoe Trip is built for middle-school campers — an age where leadership tracks, deeper specialization, and identity exploration take over from generalist day-camp formats. adventure programs that thrive at this age publish a clear weekly progression rather than a rotating activity menu, and the staff-to-camper conversation usually matters more than the activity list.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Overnight camp
ACA accredited
Yes
Established
1951 (75 years)
Operator
Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Adventure
  • Ages: 11–12
  • Hours: 24-hour residential
  • Address: 3788 North Arm Road, Ely, MN 55731
  • Phone: (218) 288-9912
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Cost notes: $805 for 5-day Pathfinder Canoe Trip. Weekly cost calculated from daily rate.

Runs 24-hour residential, 10 sessions (10 one-week), from Jun 15 to Aug 28.

Sessions

Bookable units published by the camp. Each row is a one-week session.

  • Session 1 Jun 15 – 19, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 2 Jun 22 – 26, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 3 Jun 29 – Jul 3, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 4 Jul 6 – 10, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 5 Jul 13 – 17, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 6 Jul 20 – 24, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 7 Jul 27 – 31, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 8 Aug 3 – 7, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 9 Aug 10 – 14, 2026 · 1 week · $805
  • Session 10 Aug 24 – 28, 2026 · 1 week · $805

↗ What parents like

  • Introductory canoe trip
  • Short duration

↘ Watch for

  • Registration page has an error

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: No
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: outdoor

Frequently asked about Pathfinder Canoe Trip

What ages does Pathfinder Canoe Trip accept?
Pathfinder Canoe Trip is open to children ages 11–12. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does Pathfinder Canoe Trip cost?
Pathfinder Canoe Trip publishes $1,127/week for the standard session. That sits 12% below the $1,275 median for adventure camps in Ely, which makes it one of the more affordable options in the category. $805 for 5-day Pathfinder Canoe Trip. Weekly cost calculated from daily rate. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Pathfinder Canoe Trip's hours?
Pathfinder Canoe Trip runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Is Pathfinder Canoe Trip accredited?
Yes — Pathfinder Canoe Trip is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 75 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
Who runs Pathfinder Canoe Trip?
Pathfinder Canoe Trip is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 75 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Pathfinder Canoe Trip provide lunch?
Pathfinder Canoe Trip does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
How does Pathfinder Canoe Trip compare to other adventure camps in Ely?
Pathfinder Canoe Trip is one of 18 adventure camps in Ely that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare Pathfinder Canoe Trip with other camps.

Camps near here

Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Pathfinder Canoe Trip.