John Erdmann

Director

Since the summer of 1984, John Erdmann has continued the family tradition founded in 1951: “Kids grow in ways not possible at home during each summer in the great Northwoods.” John spent two years in the Peace Corps in Venezuela after graduating from DePauw University. He draws on work experience in higher education, the corporate world and business worlds to managing the family’s boys camp. His first of eight grandchildren became a Voyageur camper in 2017. Connect with him on Facebook.

The Most Unusual Summer

The Most Unusual Summer

By John Erdmann
May 20, 2020 (comments)

Opening camp this summer is unlike any other. Mim and Charlie Erdmann experienced a couple of relatively empty summers after retiring in 1979 while renting camp to previous counselor Dave McCracken and then to Dick Lyons of DePauw. We notified camper families in mid-May that camp sessions were canceled due to COVID-19. Subsequently, most of the Minnesota camps we have counseled with have followed suit. We will miss each and every camper and staff member who was signed up this summer and we hope that they will join us again in a year. Even in the absence of campers, counselors...

Meet the Staff: Mikey Meves

Meet the Staff: Mikey Meves

By John Erdmann
April 28, 2020 (comments)

What is your favorite part about the trail? Reading for fun was something I never really did growing up, in fact my reading level was so poor that holding me back a grade was a consideration. When I came to camp and went on the trail for the first time, I brought a book with me, Fahrenheit 451. While on trail I got this feeling like nothing before, where my mind was fully free to picture and experience the story as I read it. I fell in love with reading while on the trail, especially fantasy, where the book brings...

Meet the Staff: Matt Berning

Meet the Staff: Matt Berning

By John Erdmann
April 21, 2020 (comments)

Where is your favorite place in the wilderness? Laying on a rock, on an island, on Crooked Lake with the sun shining. What is your favorite part about the trail? Devouring lunch after a successful morning of paddling. What is your favorite part about our in-camp program? Evening Programs and the Big Games. Who or what inspires you? People who are passionate inspire me. What are you looking forward to most this summer? I am most excited to get back outside and see the campers again. What is one piece of advice you would give a new camper? Embrace the...

Meet the Staff: Jackson Peacock

Meet the Staff: Jackson Peacock

By John Erdmann
April 13, 2020 (comments)

What are you looking forward to most this summer? I’m looking forward to seeing all the returning campers, and hearing about all the fun things they did with their time away from camp. Where is your favorite place in the wilderness? My favorite place to visit in the wilderness has to be Devil Track River on the Superior Hiking Trail. It’s a beautiful rapid river that links up with the SHT near Grand Marais. It’s an excellent place to spend the afternoon or night after a long day of hiking! What is your favorite part about the trail? My favorite...

10 Things to Love About the Quetico

10 Things to Love About the Quetico

By John Erdmann
March 03, 2020 (comments)

The huge Canadian wilderness park known as the Quetico is just a 15 mile paddle from Camp Voyageur. A few old Voyageurs who ventured into the Quetico several years ago recount the 10 things they loved most about this remote paddling destination.

2019 Paddle Post

2019 Paddle Post

By John Erdmann
February 29, 2020 (comments)

Our annual newspaper has been in circlation since 1951. Check out our latest edition!

My First Boundary Waters Canoe Trip

My First Boundary Waters Canoe Trip

By John Erdmann
March 06, 2019 (comments)

Your first overnight adventure is guaranteed to be a stretch. One astute camper captured his first Boundary Waters trip for posterity in the 2018 Paddle Post newspaper. My First Boundary Waters Canoe Trip I have been to multiple national parks and forests, but I didn't know what to expect here at Camp Voyageur. The first few days at base camp we practiced canoeing and fishing nearby, then we headed out for six days with counselors Alex and Evan bound for the Canadian border and the Crooked Lake fishing grounds. I felt this trip would be difficult, but I was excited...

2018 Paddle Post

2018 Paddle Post

By John Erdmann
February 20, 2019 (comments)

Have you read the latest Camp Voyageur Paddle Post? Be sure to catch up with the latest summer happenings with the 2018 digital edition!

Buttermilk Pancakes

Buttermilk Pancakes

By John Erdmann
June 24, 2017 (comments)

Ingredients: 2 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1 tablespoon sugar 2 cups buttermilk 2 eggs Directions: Combine all ingredients. Mix until fully incorporated, but not too thin. Ladle batter onto greased griddle on medium high heat. Flip when air bubbles appear on top. Serve when both sides are light brown. Add chocolate chips or blueberries to the batter to mix it up a bit! Be sure to top with your favorite maple syrup, butter, fruit, or all of the above! Serves 4

Top 10 Mistakes Made at the Campsite

Top 10 Mistakes Made at the Campsite

By John Erdmann
May 02, 2016 (comments)

I believe wholeheartedly that Camp Voyageur groups move through the woods in the most responsible and efficient ways possible. Camp works hard to train its staff and inform its campers of the best environmental and safety practices. Still, it’s an ongoing process of learning and evolving, and even the most efficient group has its sluggish days. Here’s what I see as 10 of the most common mistakes made by folks at a campsite—not necessarily Voyageurs, mind you. Do you have any to add to this list? Let us know! 10. Not setting up the tent right away This is an...