Unplugged and outdoors, boys thrive here.

In a world that competes aggressively for a child’s attention, we believe a traditional sleepaway camp experience gives boys the space to develop grit and self-reliance, discover what genuinely motivates them, and form friendships that carry forward long after the summer ends.

The trail and our in-camp program has a way of making all of that happen naturally. Located on the edge of the Boundary Waters, a million-acre wilderness in the heart of the Minnesota Northwoods, we offer two, four, six, and eight week sessions for boys ages 10 to 18, along with a Counselor in Training program for returning campers who have completed 12th grade.

Ethan arrived at Camp Voyageur unsure of himself. He came home transformed. More confident, more purposeful, and with a sense of who he is that he could only develop for himself. We will always see that summer as a turning point.

— Parent, 2024

What is Camp Voyageur?

Since Charlie Erdmann founded Camp Voyageur in 1951, the philosophy has stayed the same: create an environment safe enough that boys feel confident trying things they never would at home or school. That safety is what gets a kid up on stage for the Gong Show, crossing their first portage, or competing in the Olympics with their cabin mates.

We keep sessions small, accepting no more than 80 campers at a time and maintaining a 1:4 staff to camper ratio. That means boys genuinely choose how they spend their time, whether that’s learning to sail or water ski, shooting archery, fishing, creating in the Craft Shop, or picking up wilderness survival skills. Our staff is a mix of energetic university students and experienced outdoor educators certified in lifeguarding and wilderness first aid. They know every camper well enough to know what excites them, what challenges them, and what helps on a hard day.

On the trail, campers of all ages travel together, and that mix is intentional. Older boys navigate for the group, help younger campers pitch a tent, and gain a broad set of leadership skills. Younger campers in turn gain access to older peers who show them the ropes and model what it looks like to step up. As boys return year after year, the roles they take on grow with them, from first-time paddler to Bushwhacker and Big Man leaders. Preteens and teens take on progressively longer canoe trips into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness or hiking along the rugged North Shore of Lake Superior, eventually qualifying for our expedition-level trips.

Sessions fill fast. Don’t miss out on summer 2026! Check session availability today.

Partial scholarships available, contact for details.