Our Philosophy

In 1951, Camp Voyageur was founded on the simple premise that personal growth is fostered through group interaction in a wilderness setting.

The emphasis at Camp Voyageur is on having fun in the great outdoors. Campers enjoy a casual pace of athletics balanced with excursions canoeing and hiking in the nearby wilderness. Living and working together in the northwoods kindles an appreciation for the simple pleasures of life, good friends, good food, exercise and Ma Nature.

A summer at Voyageur has sparked in many a life-long affection for the solitude, beauty and challenge of these northwoods. The highlights of each session are high-adventure canoe and backpack trips into the adjoining wilderness preserves of the U.S. and Canada. By traveling in small groups, boys learn personally the meaning of cooperation and hard work. Rigorous wilderness trips build muscle, character and a stewardship for the land. Each trip is unique and unforgettable. Campers return home more confident and self-reliant after sharing the pleasures and rigors of outdoor living.

When our campers first traveled into canoe country, the physical and mental challenges gave them a better understanding of themselves and the natural world. Expeditions into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area are still the foundaiton of the Camp Voyageur program; more than 50 years later, the Voyageur philosophy extends even further.

Today campers journey east to Isle Royale in the heart of Lake Superior, north into Canada's Quetico and have gone as far west as the Rocky Mountains. Whether crossing rough waters, traversing a rocky ridge or competing in our Voyageur Olympics campers return with new abiliies and strengths, an appreciation for teamwork and a respect for their peers and the wilderness around them. A summer spent at Voyageur is truly an adventure in living. Our traditional camp program will always honor these timeless values.

Spending a summer at Camp Voyageur has a positive impression on a boy. We expect them to work hard and play hard. We place them in an ideal wilderness setting, help them make friends and grow. People gain something special at Camp Voyageur they can't get anywhere else. After a few short weeks, boys return home healthier, happier and more disciplined. You'll see the difference.