I am freshly graduated from college but am certain that I still have a lot to learn before I set my life on any permanent track, therefore I chose to pursue seasonal labor. With that in mind, the key for me was finding a place where I could both bring something to the table and be able to learn something. A bonus was finding something that I love to do.
Here are 10 things I learned as a first-year camp counselor at Camp Voyageur.
Fortunately, we have taken advantage of this most unusual summer to spruce up camp, preparing for 2021 (Voyageur’s 70th anniversary) and beyond. With summer in our rearview mirror and fall in the air, we’d like to again thank the families, alumni, and staff who supported camp during this summer season. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, work camp lasted all summer long. While we did not have campers in a traditional sense, we made lemons out of lemonade with the help of many collaborators. The season kicked off when alumni and seasoned volunteers like Jim Bergman assisted with numerous projects, including...
People know the BWCAW in no small part because of its iconic mammals like wolves, moose, bears, and beavers. But what about the lesser-known creatures that don’t quite hold the spotlight so well? Well in this week’s Jack Tropical’s Animal Facts, we will be discussing some little critters who don’t get the attention they deserve. Now let’s learn about the Fisher and the Red Squirrel.
As a human being thoroughly grounded, aerial locomotion fascinates me. While paddling through the BWCAW I often find myself looking to the skies, much to the dismay of my bowman. Below are my three favorite flying creatures.
There are many places on the camp peninsula that look a little different this year, and many aspects of the CV summer that feel…off. The cabins are not filled with campers; the Mess Hall lacks the typical, prevalent chatter of trip tales and activity happenings. Pine Stadium remains mostly unoccupied aside from the storage of a few boats and has not hosted a big athletic game in 13 months. Indeed, the pandemic and the resulting cancellation of a full-fledged Voyageur summer have changed much of what has become standard for the season. Yet, one area of the peninsula that somehow...
I arrived at camp very late a few evenings ago. Exhausted, I quickly moved in some gear and crashed for the night. The next morning, strong mixed feelings set in. It was a beautiful day—misting, then turning sunny; loons calling from the Kawishiwi River; and some friendly, familiar faces in the Mess Hall. But something was definitely off: First, there were quirky—but justified—COVID-19 pandemic precautionary rules and protocols in place, such as “No Handshakes or Hugs,” “No Handling the Coffee Carafe,” etc. But more striking was that no campers were around—no stirrings from the cabins, no voices coming down the...
Campers will be happy to know that Bill Burgman will be reprising his role as Bill Burgman. Our dynamic staff – lead by licensed teachers Mikey Meves and Alex Kvanli, M.S.Ed. – along with a host of outlandish characters are leading the program, which includes various “How To” videos along with interactive camp favorites such as WELK Radio Show, Olympics, Word of the Day, and Bean Auction. All campers and alumni are invited to join our free 8-week virtual session this summer. To participate: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and/or YouTube so you can catch the latest updates. Have access...
John Erdmann’s glad you asked. For the first time in 70 years, campers won’t be moving into the cabins this Sunday due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the penninsula is still crawling with life; veterans Alex Kvanli, Mikey Meves, Kyle Montgomery, Harrison Pratt, and newcomer Jack Diedrich are working hard to get the peninsula tuned up, create interactive virtual programming, and outfit CV families for Boundary Waters canoe trips. Improvements and Maintenance A summer without campers has given us ample time to tackle maintenance projects around camp that have slipped through the cracks over the years. On any given day,...
Exclusive guiding for Voyageur families and alumni. Phase II of Minnesota’s Stay Safe Plan began June 1st, meaning that some Minnesota businesses are allowed to reopen under limited circumstances. As a non-critical business, we have been mandated to adopt and implement a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan in order to open services for the public. At this time, we are unable to provide families lodging or mess hall meals. Our pre-trip outfitting services include: Phone consultation Route planning and reservation assistance Food menu planning Group packing Full outfitting starts at $75/person/day with a Grumman canoe. Guided trips start at $95/person/day. Outfitting includes...