EXCURSION TRIPS (ages 14-17)

Excursion Trips are for our oldest and most seasoned campers. These trips are tailored for campers ages 14-17 and have a variety of intensity levels. Our experienced staff act as guides; facilitating high adventure with an emphasis on leadership and teamwork. These camps are one to two weeks in duration and offer a unique opportunity for campers to engage the wilderness like never before. These camps are specialized adventure programs that fill up fast! You will want to register as early as possible to secure your spot.

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Western Boundary Waters Canoe Trip (Ages 14-17) - NEW FOR 2025

Ready for the next adventure in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area?  The classic trip "The Nor'Wester" has traditionally explored the Eastern Side of the Boundary Waters.  This trip will take campers on a new experience on the Western Side (Ely).  New lakes, new portages and new challenges await!  

Our Camp Staff are currently finalizing the itinerary for this trip and will have everything ready Mid-December 2025.  You can register early if you wish.  

Total Distance Traveled on Trail: 30-60 miles of waterway, 10-20 portages depending on route.

Time on Trail:  10 Nights, 11 Days

Scheduled:  Week 2-3 | June 15-27, 2025

Cost:  Tier A: $1800 | Tier B: $1620 | Tier C: $1530

*What is Tiered Pricing?  Other Financial Assistance Info

*Special Note - each camper will need to have both a Wisconsin and Minnesota fishing license prior to coming to camp.  Please review the packing list for recommended gear and tackle.  

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Isle Royale Backpacking Trip (Ages 14-17)

Back by popular demand!  The Isle Royale Backpacking Trip is the ultimate island wilderness backpacking adventure.  Situated 10 miles off the Canadian shore on an isolated island in Lake Superior, Isle Royale National Park is the most remote and infrequently visited National Park in America.   Famous for it's population of wild wolves (nothing to worry about) and moose, this island wilderness is only accessible by boat and offers over 165 miles of trail exploration.  Our campers begin their journey by traveling to Houghton, MI and boarding the famous Ranger III passenger ferry.  After a 3 hour voyage the ferry lands in Rock Harbor on Isle Royale.  For the next 8 days and 7 nights our trippers will explore over 50 miles of trail.  They will encounter lakes, mountain tops, streams and beaches where they'll put their camping and outdoor skills to the test.  

Total Distance Traveled on Trail:  50 miles backpacking

Total Time on Trail:  9 nights, 10 days (2 nights car camping, 7 nights backcountry camping)

Scheduled: Week 2-3 | June 15-27, 2025

Cost:  Tier A: $2000 | Tier B: $1850 | Tier C: $1700

*What is Tiered Pricing?  Other Financial Assistance Info

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BORDER BRULE RIVER TRIP (Ages 13-15)

There are two "Brule Rivers" in Wisconsin and this year we are exploring both!  This particular trip navigates the Brule River that runs west to east and creates the boarder between Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  This is a wonderful stretch of river with a solid steady current.  The river runs quietly through some of the most pristine wild country in the Midwest.  Here campers will encounter deer, eagles, beaver and have abundant opportunities to fish, notably for Brown and Brook Trout.  Numerous riffles and small Class 1 rapids make this a great river for novice paddlers.  Total distance is 46.3 miles of waterway, with 3 nights 4 days on trail.  

Distance: 46 miles of waterway

Time on Trail: 3 nights, 4 days

Scheduled:  Week 5 | July 6-11, 2025

Cost:  Tier A: $903 | Tier B: $813 | Tier C: $767

*What is Tiered Pricing?  Other Financial Assistance Info

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE TRIP (Ages 15-17)

We are offering 2 trips to Colorado this year.  This trip is designed to be a good balance of car camping and backcountry.  The group will set up several "base camps" at car camping locations from which to conduct a variety of day and short overnight activities.  From leisurely town days to high intensity 14,000ft summits, this trip covers a huge variety of activities. This is a custom-built adventure designed to gradually acclimatize Midwestern campers to high altitude environments then push them to new heights in Colorado’s backcountry. Adventurers on this trip will summit peaks in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range and celebrate their accomplishments with a white water trip in Buena Vista.  

Total Distance Traveled on Trail:  22 - 26 miles of rugged mountainous hiking (14 miles on a 3 night 4 day backpacking trip, 8 miles on a 14'er ascent, 2-4 miles on day hikes)

Total Time on Trail:  10 nights, 11 days (7 nights car camping, 3 nights backcountry camping)

Scheduled:  Weeks 5-6 | July 6-18, 2025

Cost:  Tier A: $2,250 | Tier B: $2,081 | Tier C: $1,912

*What is Tiered Pricing?  Other Financial Assistance Info

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BOIS BRULE RIVER TRIP (Ages 14-16)

There are two "Brule Rivers" in Wisconsin and this year we are exploring both!  This particular trip navigates the Bois Brule River that runs south to north and empties into Lake Superior between Duluth and Ashland.  Known as "The River of Presidents", this famous stretch of river is one of the most popular canoeing destinations in Wisconsin.  Presidents Grant, Cleveland, Coolidge, Hoover and Eisenhower have all discovered why people travel to the Bois from all across the Midwest in pursuit of exciting rapids, pristine wilderness and exceptional fishing.  Another feature that appeals to so many canoeists is the extreme diversity of the river itself.  Starting with miles of peaceful meandering riffles the river transforms midway to be an almost continuous 8 mile stretch of whitewater (Mostly Class 1 and 2 rapids and a small section of Class 3 that can be portaged if needed) that offers unforgettable thrills and excitement. The last third of the river transforms once again into a placid waterway that allows each canoer a chance to enjoy the gorgeous scenery as they suddenly emerge on the shores of Lake Superior.

This is truly an exciting next step for experienced teen canoers and we recommend having completed at least one of the other river trips prior to signing up.  Comfort in water and a good swimming ability is also recommended.  

Total Trail Distance: 38.4 miles of waterway

Time on Trail:  3 nights 4 days

Scheduled:  Week 6 | July 15-18, 2025

Cost:  Tier A: $903 | Tier B: $813 | Tier C: $767

*What is Tiered Pricing?  Other Financial Assistance Info

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NOR’WESTER CANOE TRIP

For ages 15-17 The quintessential trip of YMCA Camp U-Nah-Li-Ya. Nine days of paddling the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, deeply rooted and celebrated traditions, and lifelong bonds only begin to describe the experience this trip brings to campers. Family and friends are invited to honor them upon return at camp.

Trail Distance: 60-85 miles of waterway, 20-30 portages

Time on Trail:  8 nights, 9 days backcountry

Offered:  Weeks 7-8 | July 20-August 1, 2025

Cost:  Tier A: $1,800 | Tier B: $1,620 | Tier C: $1,530

*What is Tiered Pricing?  Other Financial Assistance Info

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ROCKS & RAPIDS COMBO (Ages 14-17)

The ultimate hybrid trip!  Rocks and Rapids combines backpacking and canoeing into life changing adventure of non-stop action in the Upper Peninsula! Starting out the session our campers will spend 4 nights and 5 days traversing the breathtaking Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.  After a quick rest and resupply in Munising the group will travel by boat to the Grand Island Wilderness for 2 nights and 3 days exploring a very unique island wilderness in Lake Superior.  The group then trades in their backpacks and hiking boots for drybags and paddles as they spend the next 2 nights and 3 days traveling down the Indian River to discover the mysterious Kitch-iti-Kipi spring.  A well earned shower and ice cream trip to Manisique await them at Indian Lake State Park.  They then travel to Niagara for the grand finale of the trip, a half day whitewater rafting trip down the Menominee river.   Both novice and experienced campers will have a blast enjoying the constant adventure and camaraderie offered in Rocks and Rapids!

Trail Distance Covered: 30 miles backpacking, 39 miles river canoeing

Time on Trail: 6 nights 7 days backpacking, 2 night 3 days canoeing, 2 nights 3 days car camping

Scheduled:  Weeks 9-10 | August 3-15, 2024

Cost:  Tier A: $1,800 | Tier B: $1,620 | Tier C: $1,530

*What is Tiered Pricing?  Other Financial Assistance Info

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 *Availably Only by Special Request* - Rocky Mountain Ultra Packer (Ages 15-17)

This year we are not offering this trip for general registration.  If you have an interest in a group of teens doing this trip (or similar itinerary) please contact the camp office, we would be interested in putting something together for you.  We ran this trip in 2024 and it was described as "the most amazing trip ever".  However, it does take significantly more planning to pull off well.  

This trip (RMUP) is more focused on maximizing time in the highcountry with a weeklong backpacking trek through the breathtaking scenery of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range.  Just like the "Rocky Mountain Adventure", this trip has been personally designed by our Executive Director, Max Clark, based on his personal experience growing up in southern Colorado and years of guiding trips for the YMCA.

The trip begins with a brief stay at YMCA Camp Jackson in Rye, CO.  Here our group will spend 2 days acclimatizing, enjoying easy day hikes and exploring the terrain at an altitude around 8,500ft.  After some conditioning it's time to hit the trail.  Our team will travel for 6 nights and 7 days through the Sangre de Cristos.  These mountains offer incredible views, high alpine meadows dotted with wildflowers, glaciated lakes teaming with trout, and meandering creeks that cascade into waterfalls.  This area is also out of the way from the larger cities in Colorado and your camper will fall in love with the majestic solitude this "off the beaten path" trip will offer.  In Max's own words, "this is where the locals go." 

This is a physical trip, there's no doubt about that, but our trip design ensures that each day is broken into challenging but very achievable distances with plenty of time to rest and enjoy the high country.  The group will cover over 40 miles of trail, averaging 6-7 miles of rugged mountain hiking per day, with an average altitude of 11,000ft.  It is strongly recommended that your camper participate in the "Rocky Mountain Adventure Trip" first or have prior experience hiking at altitude.  If your camper likes fishing, bring a fly rod or ultra lite spinner, this trip goes through some of the most incredible trout fishing in the country.  If you have any questions please reach out to Max in our office.

Total Distance Covered:  40 - 44 miles of backcountry backpacking

Total Time on Trail:  5 nights 6 days car camping, 5 nights 6 days backcountry backpacking

Scheduled:  Not officially on our calendar.  Please contact our office if you have interest in this itinerary.  

Cost:  Tier A: $2065 | Tier B: $1910 | Tier C: $1754

*What is Tiered Pricing?  Other Financial Assistance Info

Register Itenerary  Packing List  Trail Map Video