Camp · Adventure · Ages 16–17 · $1,447/week
Directory · United States · Minnesota · Ely
▌ Adventure · Ages 16–17

Explorer Canoe

Ely, MN · $1,447/week

Wilderness canoe and backpacking expeditions for youth, focusing on leadership and outdoor skills.

▌ Editor's read Camp Widjiwagan, part of YMCA of the North, is an ACA accredited overnight wilderness camp, with accreditation valid until 2025. The camp has been operating for over 75 years, offering canoe and backpacking expeditions in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Quetico Provincial Park. They maintain a staff-to-camper ratio of 1:4 for wilderness trips and explicitly state that all staff undergo comprehensive background checks. The camp's website details a focus on leadership development, environmental stewardship, and outdoor skills. Google reviews for "Camp Widjiwagan" show a rating of 4.9 stars based on 106 reviews, with many reviewers praising the transformative experience and dedicated staff. Social media presence includes an active Instagram account (@campwidjiwagan) and a Facebook page (CampWidjiwagan).
★
ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 195175+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Register → Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 16–17

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
Published by camp see camp site →

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Adventure
  • Ages: 16–17
  • Hours: 24-hour residential
  • Address: 3788 North Arm Road, Ely, MN 55731
  • Phone: (218) 288-9912
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Cost notes: $5305 for 26 days. Invitation only.

Runs 24-hour residential, 3 sessions (0 one-week, 3 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 – Jul 10, 2026 · 4 weeks · $5,305
  • Session 2 Jun 29 – Jul 24, 2026 · 4 weeks · $5,305
  • Session 3 Jul 27 – Aug 21, 2026 · 4 weeks · $5,305

↗ What parents like

  • Invitation-only program
  • Focus on expedition skills
  • Travels through remote areas

↘ Watch for

  • Requires prior camp experience
  • High cost

Logistics

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

Frequently asked about Explorer Canoe

What ages does Explorer Canoe accept?
Explorer Canoe is open to children ages 16–17. 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 Explorer Canoe cost?
Explorer Canoe publishes $1,447/week for the standard session. That sits 13% above the $1,275 median for adventure camps in Ely — typical for specialty programs with smaller groups or premium facilities. $5305 for 26 days. Invitation only. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Explorer Canoe's hours?
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 Explorer Canoe accredited?
Yes — 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 Explorer Canoe?
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 Explorer Canoe provide lunch?
Yes — Explorer Canoe 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 Explorer Canoe compare to other adventure camps in Ely?
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 Explorer Canoe with other camps.

Camps near here

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