Camp · Adventure · Ages 17–18 · $1,879/week
Directory · United States · Minnesota · Ely
▌ Adventure · Ages 17–18

Voyageur Canoe

Ely, MN · $1,879/week

A 48-day Arctic canoe expedition for 12th graders, by invitation only, to remote rivers in Canada and Alaska.

▌ Editor's read Camp Widjiwagan, part of the YMCA of the North, is an ACA accredited wilderness tripping camp, with accreditation valid through 2025. The camp has been operating for 75 years, offering wilderness canoeing and backpacking trips for youth. Their website states a commitment to safety, including staff background checks and extensive training. Programs are overnight, ranging from 8 to 50 days, and focus on developing leadership, teamwork, and environmental stewardship. Google reviews for 'Camp Widjiwagan' show a strong 4.9-star rating from 100 reviews, with many praising the transformative nature of the trips and the quality of the staff. Social media handles include @campwidjiwagan on Instagram and 'campwidjiwagan' on Facebook, showcasing trip photos and camp life.
★
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 17–18

Voyageur Canoe serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in adventure, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.

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: 17–18
  • Hours: 24-hour residential
  • Address: 3788 North Arm Road, Ely, MN 55731
  • Phone: (218) 288-9912
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Cost notes: $12910 for 48 days

Runs 24-hour residential, 2 sessions (0 one-week, 2 multi-week blocks), from Jun 15 to Aug 8.

Sessions ⛓

Bookable units published by the camp. Multi-week blocks marked ⛓ are indivisible — register for the full session.

  • Session 1 Jun 15 – Aug 1, 2026 · 7 weeks · $12,910
  • Session 2 Jun 22 – Aug 8, 2026 · 7 weeks · $12,910

↗ What parents like

  • Arctic river expedition
  • Ultimate canoeing challenge

↘ Watch for

  • Extremely long 48-day trip
  • Invitation only

Logistics

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

Frequently asked about Voyageur Canoe

What ages does Voyageur Canoe accept?
Voyageur Canoe is open to children ages 17–18. 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 Voyageur Canoe cost?
Voyageur Canoe publishes $1,879/week for the standard session. That sits 47% above the $1,275 median for adventure camps in Ely — typical for specialty programs with smaller groups or premium facilities. $12910 for 48 days Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Voyageur Canoe's hours?
Voyageur Canoe 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 Voyageur Canoe accredited?
Yes — Voyageur Canoe 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 Voyageur Canoe?
Voyageur Canoe 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 Voyageur Canoe provide lunch?
Voyageur Canoe 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 Voyageur Canoe compare to other adventure camps in Ely?
Voyageur Canoe 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 Voyageur Canoe with other camps.

Camps near here

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