Camp · Adventure · Ages 13–16 · $1,251/week
Directory · United States · Minnesota · Ely
▌ Adventure · Ages 13–16

BWCAW Canoe

Ely, MN · $1,251/week

A popular canoe adventure in the Boundary Waters for 8th-10th graders, suitable for both new and experienced campers.

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★
ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 193195+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Register → Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 13–16

BWCAW 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
1931 (95 years)
Operator
Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Adventure
  • Ages: 13–16
  • Hours: 24-hour residential
  • Address: 3788 North Arm Road, Ely, MN 55731
  • Phone: (218) 288-9912
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Cost notes: $2145 for 12-day BWCAW Canoe trip.

Runs 24-hour residential, 9 sessions (0 one-week, 9 multi-week blocks), from Jun 15 to Aug 21.

Sessions ⛓

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

  • Session 1 Jun 15 – 26, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,145
  • Session 2 Jun 22 – Jul 3, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,145
  • Session 3 Jun 29 – Jul 10, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,145
  • Session 4 Jul 6 – 17, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,145
  • Session 5 Jul 13 – 24, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,145
  • Session 6 Jul 20 – 31, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,145
  • Session 7 Jul 27 – Aug 7, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,145
  • Session 8 Aug 3 – 14, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,145
  • Session 9 Aug 10 – 21, 2026 · 2 weeks · $2,145

↗ What parents like

  • Popular canoe trip
  • For new and experienced campers

↘ Watch for

  • Registration page has an error

Logistics

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

Frequently asked about BWCAW Canoe

What ages does BWCAW Canoe accept?
BWCAW Canoe is open to children ages 13–16. 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 BWCAW Canoe cost?
BWCAW Canoe publishes $1,251/week for the standard session. That sits close to the $1,275 median for adventure camps in Ely. $2145 for 12-day BWCAW Canoe trip. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are BWCAW Canoe's hours?
BWCAW 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 BWCAW Canoe accredited?
Yes — BWCAW Canoe is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 95 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 BWCAW Canoe?
BWCAW Canoe is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 95 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 BWCAW Canoe provide lunch?
BWCAW 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 BWCAW Canoe compare to other adventure camps in Ely?
BWCAW 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 BWCAW Canoe with other camps.

Camps near here

Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside BWCAW Canoe.