Camp · Adventure · Ages 14–25 · $1,700/week
Directory · United States · Minnesota · Ely
▌ Adventure · Ages 14–25

Boundary Waters - Canoe & Backpack

Intercept Semester · $1,700/week · ★ 4.9 (285 reviews)

Wilderness expedition combining canoeing and backpacking in the Boundary Waters, focusing on outdoor skills and...

▌ Editor's read The provided URL leads to the Outward Bound course catalog, which is a legitimate and active website for a well-established outdoor education organization. Outward Bound is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), with their accreditation expiring in 2025, signifying their commitment to industry standards. The organization has been operating since 1962, indicating over 60 years of experience in outdoor programs. Outward Bound is a nonprofit organization, as stated on their 'About Us' page. While specific staff ratios for the 'Boundary Waters - Canoe & Backpack' program are not explicitly listed, the website mentions that all staff undergo background checks. The program type is clearly overnight, involving multi-day wilderness expeditions. Outward Bound has a strong online presence, with a Google review rating of 4.8 stars from over 1,000 reviews, with common themes praising the transformative experiences and skilled instructors. Social media handles include @outwardbound on Instagram and 'OutwardBound' on Facebook.
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ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 196660+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Register → Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 14–25

Boundary Waters - Canoe & Backpack 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
1966 (60 years)
Operator
Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Adventure
  • Ages: 14–25
  • Address: Voyageur Outward Bound School, 11847 Boundary Waters Rd, Ely, MN 55731
  • Phone: 866-467-7651
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Cost notes: $7,270 for 30 days

1 session (0 one-week, 1 multi-week block), from Jun 10 to Jul 2.

Sessions ⛓

Bookable units published by the camp. Multi-week blocks marked ⛓ are indivisible — register for the full session.

  • Session 1 Jun 10 – Jul 2, 2026 · 4 weeks · $8,580

↗ What parents like

  • 30-day immersive experience
  • Develops leadership skills

↘ Watch for

  • High cost
  • Physically demanding

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: Yes
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: outdoor

Frequently asked about Boundary Waters - Canoe & Backpack

What ages does Boundary Waters - Canoe & Backpack accept?
Boundary Waters - Canoe & Backpack is open to children ages 14–25. 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 Boundary Waters - Canoe & Backpack cost?
Boundary Waters - Canoe & Backpack publishes $1,700/week for the standard session. That sits 33% above the $1,275 median for adventure camps in Ely — typical for specialty programs with smaller groups or premium facilities. $7,270 for 30 days Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
Is Boundary Waters - Canoe & Backpack accredited?
Yes — Boundary Waters - Canoe & Backpack is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 60 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 Boundary Waters - Canoe & Backpack?
Boundary Waters - Canoe & Backpack is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 60 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 Boundary Waters - Canoe & Backpack provide lunch?
Yes — Boundary Waters - Canoe & Backpack includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.
How does Boundary Waters - Canoe & Backpack compare to other adventure camps in Ely?
Boundary Waters - Canoe & Backpack 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 Boundary Waters - Canoe & Backpack with other camps.

Camps near here

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