Why We Cut Down Balsams

By Alex Kvanli
September 25, 2019 (comments)

Fall Has Fallen on the Peninsula The maples are turning red, aspen yellow, and balsams brown. The beauty of the Great Northwoods is only interrupted by the sounds of loons and…. chainsaws? I glimpse what appears to be a human tornado slashing through the trees. Charlie “Turbo” Erdmann rarely runs the chainsaw at anything but full throttle as he rips through tree after tree, leaving a path of destruction through the beautiful fall foliage. A Historical Battle With Renewed Significance CV has always been ‘fighting the forest’ away from its buildings. Early on, emphasis was placed on removing the trees...

CV Receives Fishing Grant from MN DNR

By Alex Kvanli
September 18, 2019 (comments)

Who taught you to fish? Many kids arrive at camp excited to go fishing. Located within a renowned fishing destination, Camp Voyageur’s wilderness adventure program offers the perfect opportunity for kids to try their luck catching bass, northern pike, and Minnesota’s (state fish) famous walleye. In recent years, however, we’ve noticed a decline in fishing. This year, CV received a grant – the jumpstart it needed – to revamp campers’ annual pursuit of fish. The Voyageur’s Fishing Program, sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), is designed to get more kids to fish successfully. The project aims to...

Today Was a Duff Day

By Alex Kvanli
September 11, 2019 (comments)

Veteran camper Christian W. recently released the exclusive lyrics for his new hit single Today Was a Duff Day, featuring counselor Paul Nelson. He recounts a recent trip which was full of Duff Days, or days on the trail where campers don’t pack up and move out, but rather use the campsite as a basecamp for a day full of fun activities and relaxation. Listeners of the 2019 WELK Pirate Radio Show were the first to hear his new hit single, which has since meteorically risen to the top of Wandering Elk’s Hot 100. Today Was a Duff Day Just...

The Long Day

By Mikey Meves
September 04, 2019 (comments)

10 days in the Canadian wilderness. Final trip of the summer. An all-star crew. We knew right away what kind of crew our Trip Director had put together, so we looked at the map to plan our route with hunger in our eyes. The route went through many revisions to meet everyone’s personal goals, but one thing stayed – our hunger for miles. So, day 3 went down on the itinerary as “The Long Day.” For many of us, it was the first trip comprised of all older, veteran campers able to portage, paddle, and experience the great outdoors to...

Expectations vs. Reality for a First-Year Camp Counselor

By Matthew Berning
August 26, 2019 (comments)

As a first-year counselor, I did not know what I was getting into coming to Camp Voyageur, but CV’s amazing community and knack for tripping exceeded all of my expectations. Here is a list of my top-five expectations that were eventually met with reality. Expectation #1 There is no power, running water, or working bathrooms at Camp Voyageur.

Experiencing More Than Just the Wilderness

By Tom Brandt
July 26, 2019 (comments)

Camp Voyageur is more than an in-and-out wilderness tripping camp. At CV, campers indulge in an active outdoor experience which lays the foundation for a strengthened character and active lifestyle through challenge, friendly competition and responsibility. Many attribute camp’s character building and rigorous activity to the trail (wilderness trips), although that’s true, a lot of credit can be rightly given to Camp Voyageur’s in-camp program. There are three activity periods a day, followed by swimming, more activity and three balanced meals from camp’s talented kitchen staff. Needless to say, there’s no shortage of exercise while on the CV-peninsula. It’s not...

The Unbreakable Bond of the Trail

By Tom Brandt
July 05, 2019 (comments)

The passing of the Fourth of July marks the quick upcoming of the end of first session, and the halfway point for our second round of trips. Whether you’re on a 6-day or a 10-day trip, all campers experience and reflect on the remarkable bonding agents of the trail. The first day back home at camp is a surprisingly confusing time for campers. Many are happy to be sleeping in a soft bed, under the warmth of their covers in a cabin sheltering them from rain and bugs. Greeted with a home cooked meal from Deb’s kitchen, it’s easy to...

CVBB - New Hoops, New Game

By Paul Thompson-Nelson
June 28, 2019 (comments)

As campers started to pour into camp throughout the first day, many couldn’t help but notice one surprising change to our beloved CV peninsula. That’s right, the wooden basketball hoops we knew and loved were gone! But have no fear, because four new hoops are here! Basketball has always been a prominent activity period game, and with our brand new gear, it looks like basketball is going to have an even larger number of participants this summer.

Embracing Camp Voyageur Crazy!

By Dylan Jackson
June 17, 2019 (comments)

As a first year camper, the first day at Camp Voyageur is always a nerve-racking experience. Campers are often shy, self-conscious and reserved, and they experience these feelings for good reason, as they’re in a new environment separated from the comforts of their family, friends and home-routine. Surrounded by unfamiliar territory and people, every camper is forced into the discomforts of new experiences, and by the time they leave camp, whether it’s been 12 days, 4 weeks or an entire 8 week summer, each and every camper, in some form, will find they’re place in the wildly unpredictable comforts of...

The Art of Cooking on the Trail

By Tom Brandt
June 12, 2019 (comments)

From person to person, a love for cooking and a love for diverse food is ambiguous. Everyone has a taste for something different, so exploring these palates on the trail is fun, yet challenging. In most cases, cooking and eating on the trail is limited, so the need for creativity and experimentation is fun and necessary for a delicious and enjoyable trail feast. After all, food is life, and good food is love, so a masterful trail-chef is quite the treat in a place such as the BWCA, where perishable ingredients, and outstanding cooking is scarce.