Our High School Canoe Camp invites teens into a shared adventure where everyone plays a role in making camp possible. From paddling together on the river to setting up camp and cooking meals, we function as one team, learning firsthand how collaboration, responsibility, and leadership emerge through shared effort. This experience offers a glimpse into what working together as adults can look like—where leadership isn’t about authority, but about showing up, supporting others, and contributing to the whole.

For ten nights, we journey down the winding Namekagon River, moving at a pace that allows us to take in the beauty around us. Days are spent meandering through its many bends, talking with our canoe partners, sharing moments with nearby boats, and taking breaks to swim and snack. Late afternoons and evenings bring free time, songs, conversations around the fire, reflection under the stars, and a sense of camaraderie that builds with each passing day. While some moments require energy and focus, like packing up camp, setting up shelter, and preparing meals, the overall rhythm of the camp invites connection, self-discovery, and an appreciation for the simple joys of working, learning, and growing together.

Teens leave not just with memories, but with strengthened confidence, communication skills, self-awareness, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of a team.

Time and time again, we hear from participants and parents alike about the deep, lasting bonds formed at Canoe Camp. Something about life on the river — working side by side, sharing meals, and spending days immersed in nature — creates space for real, unfiltered conversations. As one camper put it, “We skip the small talk and go straight to the questions that matter”.