COVID-19 Updates

October 26, 2020

Looking ahead to 2021

Families are eager to register their campers and learn more about the 2021 Camp Voyageur season. As you know our program emphasizes outdoor activities and the camp peninsula is naturally isolated. We will welcome campers following COVID-19 guidelines from the Federal, State and County governments.

Camp Voyageur’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plan relies on guidance from the CDC, Minnesota Department of Health, American Camp Association, and other health professionals.

For 2021 we have streamlined session offerings to minimize exposure to our camp community. Masks will be required indoors for campers and staff, and outdoors when social distancing is not possible. We will require that campers test negative for COVID-19 prior to arrival. Campers will be spread out into more cabins and mealtimes may be staggered, served individually, or eaten outside when possible.

Enroll Now!

Before Camp

• Submit your camper health forms by June 1.
• All campers and staff must quarantine for 14 days prior to arriving at camp.
• Health documentation will be reviewed by the camp nurse upon arrival.
• Campers experiencing signs and symptoms of COVID-19, or living with someone who has COVID-19, should not attend camp.
• Have your camper tested for COVID-19 a few days prior to departing home. Bring a paper copy of the negative test result to camp.

Arrival

• Family members who are at high risk for COVID-19 should remain at home.
• Parents remain in their car while dropping campers off. Follow social distancing, hand hygiene and wearing of masks when at camp.

During Camp

• Camp Voyageur will be closed to visitors throughout the summer, except when campers are being dropped off and picked up.

Health Checks

• Temperatures of campers and staff shall be logged. Anyone with a temperature above 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit for two consecutive checks will be taken to the Essentia Clinic in Ely for diagnosis.
• Anyone exhibiting signs or symptoms related to COVID-19 will also be tested at the Essentia Clinic in Ely.

Sanitization

• Hand washing stations and sanitizer are strategically located throughout camp.
• Hand washing and sanitizing is required before and after every meal.
• Throughout the day, commonly used surfaces will be disinfected using a federally approved disinfectant spray.

Minimized Large Group Interactions

• Meals are served individually instead of family-style.
• Activities will be held outside when feasible.
• Buildings are well ventilated.

After Camp

• A final health and temperature check will be conducted within 12 hours of departure.
• Our nurse will be available to address any parent concerns or questions.
• We advise your camper quarantine for 14 days after camp, as a precaution.

Questions? !

September 8th, 2020

The 2020 Camp Voyageur Summer

Looking Ahead to Summer 2021

Canceling the Camp Voyageur season summer was the right decision. Now we look forward, as you do, towards 2021 Voyageur…and celebrating our 70th camp season! We hope to mark this milestone with an all-camp gathering at Voyageur in August 2021.

While Minnesota regulations prevented opening as scheduled this year some camps, however, were able to operate safely. Nearly 70% of our campers moved their summer registration forward to 2021. Camp sessions will mirror this year’s offerings with two four-week sessions (or eight weeks) and a couple of shorter options.

Family outfitting and guided Boundary Water canoe trips were popular this season and we will expand outfitting services so more Voyageur families can venture into the nearby lakes and woods next year. Consider lodging at camp pre- or post-trip or the whole time on site enjoying meals and taking day trips for what we call “family camp”. Whether taking a canoe trip or staying in-camp, we can facilitate your Northwoods family vacation. Cheers!

Read more about our summer here!

August 25, 2020

Enrollment for Summer 2021 now open!

June 21, 2020

Virtual Programming Begins

June 6, 2020

Counselors to Unveil Virtual Programming

Our dynamic staff – lead by licensed teachers Mikey Meves and Alex Kvanli, M.S.Ed. – along with a host of outlandish characters will lead the program, which will include various “How To” videos along with interactive camp favorites such as WELK Radio Show, Olympics, Word of the Day, and Bean Auction.

The virtual 8-week session is open for current, past, and future campers.

To participate, campers should:

• Follow us on Instagram, Facebook (if they have it), and YouTube.
• Have access to a Gmail account in order to participate on FlipGrid, a social learning site we will utilize throughout the summer.
• today!

June 1, 2020

CV Outfitting Set to Resume

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 food and most of the gear necessary for a wilderness canoe trip. To see a full list, download our Outfitting Packing List.

In conjunction with the Minnesota DNR’s Outdoor Recreation Guidelines for businesses reopening June 1st, some COVID-19 restrictions for outfitting include:

• Families only or pods who have been isolated together for at least two weeks prior to arrival
• Pre-arrival COVID-19 phone screening
• Social distancing with our guides, wear a mask when distancing is not possible
• Arrive the night before entry date to meet on Pine Stadium to pack with gloves and masks
• When shuttling to your entry or exit point, guides and families must ride in separate vehicles

For more details, visit our outfitting page or contact us.

May 22, 2020

Voyageur Inks 1st Draft of COVID-19 Preparedness Plan

One requirement by the State of Minnesota for businesses planning to reopen on June 1st, is that all non-critical businesses must adopt and implement a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan.

After several days of brainstorming and collaboration, we have generated our first draft of the our plan. Click here to check it out!

May 14, 2020

2020 Summer Sessions Canceled

For 70 years the Erdmann family has proudly provided Camp Voyageur summers for youth to share sports, meals, and wilderness trips in the north woods.

By nature, camp is communal and emphasizes interdependence and collaboration. The impact of COVID-19 has made the prospect for camp anything but normal this year. Minnesota’s stay-at-home order expires May 18th with limitations thereafter. The Canadian border is closed, and Boundary Waters permits are currently restricted for day use only. Limited COVID-19 testing, six-foot social distancing, gloves, and masks have slowed the virus, but a threat remains real, particularly in group settings.

Amid safety concerns and uncertainties created by COVID-19, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all 2020 camp sessions. The health and safety of campers, staff, and the Ely community are our primary concerns.

As we open camp, we’ll establish new mitigation procedures to allow outfitting. We feel fortunate that we can still offer families a Boundary Waters canoe trip this summer. We will help plan a self-guided route for your family, meet you at the trail head with packs, food, canoes, and pick our gear up at the end of your trek. Bring your sleeping bags, fishing, and rain gear.

It is hard to imagine Voyageur without the fun and energy campers create. Though heartbreaking, we believe, given what we know now, canceling camp is the right decision for CV and our small town community. We have received many encouraging messages from camp families and are grateful for the continued support.