Canoe Trips

Sitting – Full days of sitting in a canoe, paddling can be hard work. We take breaks when we can, break things up on the water with games when possible.

Sore muscles and scratches – Paddling uses muscles in ways we aren’t used to. Expect to be a little sore, but a good sore! Also, branches scratch arms and legs at camp, that kind of stuff. That’s why the guides carry first aid kits and have extensive wilderness first aid training.

Water – Between sweat and the water the body uses during exercise, you’ll get thirsty. To make sure your body gets enough water to keep you cool and your body hydrated, you’ll be given a water bottle. If that isn’t enough water, the guides carry a water filter to refill your bottle from a stream or lake.

Bonking – Running out of energy, bonking, hitting the wall happens. That’s why it’s important to make sure everyone has breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Emotional ups and downs – These often begin well before your trip as youth worry—understandably—about the trip, which is a big unknown. Know that there will be emotional lows and highs on the trip as everyone is pushed out of their comfort zone by new experiences and challenges, and then overcome the challenges. The lows never last long and every hike ends with a high when we get back to the pull in. Our guides also have experience helping youth work through the lows and turn them into insights.

Fun –  sometimes it’s type 1 (fun that feels fun), sometimes type 2 (fun that doesn’t feel fun at the time, but does when it’s over), but our trips are fun.

Weather – it’s possible to get all four seasons in a day. That’s why we provide wet weather clothing and it’s important to bring everything on your packing list.

Wilderness – different people react differently. Some immediately feel like they’ve come home as they push off from shore, others not so much. The guides will help you work through fear of bears, fear of being lost, fear of swimming, and whatever else comes up. Whether a homecoming or a confrontation with deep dark fears, this is a part of what makes trips so powerful.

Group dynamics – Things change when you take people out of their comfort zones. Sometimes groups come together in ways they didn’t before. Sometimes splits form. Sometimes unlikely leaders emerge. All are learning opportunities.

Learning opportunities – on the water and at camp, guides will bring up things that happened, dynamics observed, and what can be learned.

Pride – Whether you enjoyed the hike or not, you’ll be proud of what you accomplished when you get back to the car. And you should be. What you did isn’t easy. But you did it.