What It’s Like: Crossing Your First Portage

By John Burgman
April 23, 2019 (comments)

For most kids, a summer at camp will be their entrée into a number of firsts. Some campers will catch their first fish; others will go sailing for the first time. And for nearly all kids, camp will give them an adventure-filled wilderness experience unlike anything they have ever found in school. Perhaps no greater camp “first” holds more significance and lore than crossing the inaugural portage. On a literal level, a camper’s first portage is likely a fairly nondescript strip of land connecting two lakes that are probably more captivating and mysterious; most young campers are mesmerized first and...

The Bent-Shaft Advantage

By Ned Yonkers
April 16, 2019 (comments)

Efficient Paddling For most of us at camp, canoeing means sitting back, relaxing, and enjoying nature’s beauty. But for some paddle enthusiasts, speed and efficiency matter more than anything. That’s why we’re sharing a quick review of efficient paddling techniques.

10 Tips for Preventing Homesickness

By Alex Kvanli
April 09, 2019 (comments)

This summer, many first-time campers will get their first taste of independence at camp. For most, it will be the first time they’ve spent longer than a few days away from their families. Being away from home can be difficult. Especially when you’re a kid. So, it’s no surprise the American Camp Association (ACA) reported that in 2018, 83% of campers experienced homesickness on at least one day of residential camp. However, our camper survey in 2018 recorded about half that figure. Experiencing homesickness is part of growing up. Still, with a little preparation, parents can help to minimize their...

Staying Inside Could Harm The Environment

By Alex Kvanli
April 07, 2019 (comments)

A study in 2008 suggested that per capita participation in nature recreation is declining at a rate of approximately -1.0% to -1.3% per year (Pergams & Zaradic, 2008). It does not seem like much, but what if the trend continues for a century? The rise of technology and shift in popular culture may be behind this shift. The effects of spending less time in nature could affect our personal and environmental health (Mark & Janssen, 2008; Matthews & Riley, 1995).

Obtaining a RABC Permit for Your Child

By Alex Kvanli
April 01, 2019 (comments)

This guide is only for children under 17 and under who are traveling remotely into Canada with a Camp Voyageur trip leader. What is a RABC permit? The Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) Permit allows the bearer to cross the border into Canada in remote areas without reporting to a port of entry. All campers and counselors going on an overnight trip into Canada need one. To apply for the RABC Permit you must complete and submit the application, with your child as the primary applicant, along with a Letter of Authorization which gives your child permission to enter into...

City-Dwellers: Your Creativity May Be At Risk

By Alex Kvanli
March 27, 2019 (comments)

Could living in a city affect your creativity? Over half of the world’s population is now living in urban areas (UN News Centre, 2014). One result of increased urbanization is that people are spending less time in nature. Furthermore, technology and the ease of access to information may be decreasing our time for contemplative and creative thinking. Research suggests that these implications may have detrimental effects on our health and wellbeing. Unnatural environments’ effect on animals On the surface, some factors that may contribute to the negative health effects of living in a city could be the air pollution, crime...

How Wilderness Adventures Foster Lifelong Success

By Alex Kvanli
March 18, 2019 (comments)

How can we teach children that failure is not the end of the road? Our mindset, or attitude, governs nearly everything in our lives. It determines the way we live, experience the world, and make decisions. Our mindset shapes the way we view ourselves and subsequently what we can accomplish. According to Stanford University psychologists Carol Dweck, there are two types of mindsets: In a fixed mindset students believe their basic abilities, their intelligence, their talents, are just fixed traits. They have a certain amount and that’s that, and then their goal becomes to look smart all the time and...

New Studies Praise the Health Benefits of Saunas

By John Burgman
March 11, 2019 (comments)

If you follow along with the latest health and fitness trends, you’re likely to encounter some unique and unfamiliar concepts: Wearable Technology, Cryotherapy, Foam Rolling…Control Pause Breathing. That’s not to say that there are not benefits to each of those; it’s certainly important to always keep in mind that health and wellness practices are always evolving. But a surprisingly familiar concept to many summer camp alumni has been getting a lot of attention from the mainstream lately. Within the past year alone, the practice of taking a sauna has been purported to have benefits ranging from lowering the risk of...

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...

A True Well-Rounded Education

By Alex Kvanli
February 28, 2019 (comments)

Don’t trust the gradebooks.