Advanced Explorer Canoe
A 37-day advanced canoe expedition for 12th graders, by invitation only, exploring remote Canadian parks.
▌ Editor's read The website for Camp Widjiwagan loads successfully and details their wilderness canoe and backpacking expeditions. The camp is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), with accreditation expiring in 2024, indicating adherence to industry safety and operational standards. The camp is part of YMCA of the North, a nonprofit organization, and has been operating for over 75 years, as stated on their 'About Us' page. They explicitly mention that all staff undergo background checks. The program type is overnight, focusing on extended wilderness trips. Google reviews for Camp Widjiwagan show a rating of 4.9 stars based on 104 reviews, with many reviewers praising the transformative experience and dedicated staff. Social media handles found are @campwidjiwagan on Instagram and 'campwidjiwagan' on Facebook.
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ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 195175+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Who thrives here Ages 17–18
Advanced Explorer Canoe serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in adventure, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Yes
- Established
- 1951 (75 years)
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Adventure
- Ages: 17–18
- Hours: 24-hour residential
- Address: 3788 North Arm Road, Ely, MN 55731
- Phone: (218) 288-9912
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost notes: $8220 for 37 days
Runs 24-hour residential, 2 sessions (0 one-week, 2 multi-week blocks), from Jun 11 to Aug 18.
Sessions ⛓
Bookable units published by the camp. Multi-week blocks marked ⛓ are indivisible — register for the full session.
- Session 1 Jun 11 – Jul 17, 2026 · 6 weeks · $8,220
- Session 2 Jul 13 – Aug 18, 2026 · 6 weeks · $8,220
↗ What parents like
- Travel to remote Canadian parks
- Invitation-only advanced program
↘ Watch for
- Extremely long 37-day trip
- Invitation only
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: outdoor
Frequently asked about Advanced Explorer Canoe
- What ages does Advanced Explorer Canoe accept?
- Advanced Explorer Canoe is open to children ages 17–18. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does Advanced Explorer Canoe cost?
- Advanced Explorer Canoe publishes $1,557/week for the standard session. That sits 22% above the $1,275 median for adventure camps in Ely — typical for specialty programs with smaller groups or premium facilities. $8220 for 37 days Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are Advanced Explorer Canoe's hours?
- Advanced Explorer Canoe runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Is Advanced Explorer Canoe accredited?
- Yes — Advanced Explorer Canoe is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 75 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
- Who runs Advanced Explorer Canoe?
- Advanced Explorer Canoe is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 75 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does Advanced Explorer Canoe provide lunch?
- Advanced Explorer Canoe does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
- How does Advanced Explorer Canoe compare to other adventure camps in Ely?
- Advanced Explorer Canoe is one of 18 adventure camps in Ely that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare Advanced Explorer Canoe with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Sports summer camps guide · Check coaching style, intensity, safety, and logistics.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Advanced Explorer Canoe.
- Camp Voyageur · Ages 10–18 · $1,500/week
- Explorer Canoe · Ely, MN · Ages 16–17 · $1,447/week
- BOLD GOLD Tier III (19 days) · Ely, MN · Ages 15–18 · $1,341/week
- Boundary Waters - Canoe & Backpack · Intercept Semester · Ages 14–25 · $1,700/week
- Quetico Canoe (16 days) · Ely, MN · Ages 14–18 · $1,343/week
- Quetico Canoe (19 days) · Ely, MN · Ages 14–18 · $1,341/week
- Voyageur Canoe · Ely, MN · Ages 17–18 · $1,879/week
- YMCA Camp Widjiwagan · Ely, MN · Ages 11–18 · $1,127/week