The Camp Voyageur Podcast

Camp alumnus Tom McKenna recalls the camp programming of the 1960s, the memorable Greencastle and Monmouth cohorts of campers, and one of the most legendary “Voyageur Firsts.” See also: 1960s: Changing with the Changing Times by John Burgman -- (Sound effects and music from Pixabay) -- "Text us feedback." Co-hosts Alex Kvanli & John Burgman discuss all-things related to Camp Voyageur...

Dale Reckman reflects on a trip from the mid-1970s during which the solution to a particular dilemma resided in an unlikely place—on the muddy shoreline. -- (Sound effects and music from Pixabay) -- "Text us feedback." Co-hosts Alex Kvanli & John Burgman discuss all-things related to Camp Voyageur in Ely, Minnesota. They share trail stories, interview Voyageur alumni, & reflect o...

Ned recounts his fond memories of Coach, a certain infamous trunk, Charlie Erdmann, and growing up at summer camp. See also: 1980s: New Names, Same Voyageur Spirit by John Burgman The Trail of Life Documentary by John Behnke 1980s photo gallery   -- (Sound effects and music from Pixabay, Charles P. Erdmann) -- "Text us feedback." Co-hosts Alex Kvanli & John Burgman discuss all-things...

Alex and John discuss some of the highlights from the recently concluded camp season, including pre-camp preparations, in-camp activities, and trail adventures. (Plus, Alex shares details and dates about the upcoming 2024 summer camp season!) -- (Sound effects and music from Pixabay) -- "Text us feedback." Co-hosts Alex Kvanli & John Burgman discuss all-things related to Camp Voyageu...

Camp alumnus Greg Lippert recalls having to improvise when it came to eating well on the trail. -- (Sound effects and music from Pixabay—Caffeine Creek Band, JuliusH, AntipodeanWriter, etc.) -- "Text us feedback." Co-hosts Alex Kvanli & John Burgman discuss all-things related to Camp Voyageur in Ely, Minnesota. They share trail stories, interview Voyageur alumni, & reflect on the...

Former counselor Joe Baumann reflects on an overly ambitious trip to Nibin Lake and Bibon Lake—known as “Nibin & Bibon” in Camp Voyageur lore. -- (Sound effects and music from Pixabay—Caffeine Creek Band, JuliusH, Breviceps, Andrewkn, etc.) -- "Text us feedback." Co-hosts Alex Kvanli & John Burgman discuss all-things related to Camp Voyageur in Ely, Minnesota. They share trail st...

Bryan and Kyle share their 415-mile canoe expedition from Farm Lake to Minneapolis. -- (Sound effects and music from Pixabay) -- "Text us feedback." Co-hosts Alex Kvanli & John Burgman discuss all-things related to Camp Voyageur in Ely, Minnesota. They share trail stories, interview Voyageur alumni, & reflect on the lore of the Great Northwoods. They also trade Boundary Waters tr...

Dale Reckman was a camper for a couple of years in the mid-1970s, and he has continued to enjoy and explore the wilderness of Northern Minnesota ever since.  In fact, he has spent a total of more than 300 nights in the Boundary Waters and the Quetico...and has acquired a lot of wisdom along the way.  See also: A True Well-Rounded Education by Alex Kvanli -- (Sound effects and music from Pixabay—Ca...

Greg Lippert attended Camp for a series of years that spanned the late 1960s and early 1970s. Almost immediately, he developed an affinity for the trail and became an avid fisherman. But more broadly, his time at Camp was marked by the historic happenings of the Vietnam War era, a unique and unprecedented time to be a camper. See also: Summer Camp: An American Tradition by John Burgman A Freedom A...

Former camper and counselor Ned Yonkers recalls a trail dinner mishap...and its feared consequences.    -- (Sound effects and music from Pixabay—Caffeine Creek Band, JuliusH, Musictown, and MondayHopes)  --  "Text us feedback." Co-hosts Alex Kvanli & John Burgman discuss all-things related to Camp Voyageur in Ely, Minnesota. They share trail stories, interview Voyageur alumni, &...

Alex and John share some of their favorite gear tips.  See also: 9 Food Hacks You Can Do in the BWCAW by Alex Kvanli 8 Golden Rules of Efficient Portaging by Alex Kvanli 3 Musts in the BWCA by Hal Holmes Top 10 Mistakes Made at the Campsite by John Erdmann -- (Music from Pixabay—Caffeine Creek Band) -- "Text us feedback." Co-hosts Alex Kvanli & John Burgman discuss all-things related...

Otto's passion for the outdoors included his Camp Voyageur summer experience in 1974. His love for the outdoors led to a 30+ year career in outdoor recreation/education and wildlife conservation. This included working for Indiana University's Bradford Woods Outdoor Education Center, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service....

A fishing story for the ages...from the pages of an old Paddle Post newspaper.  Story by David Millett. -- (Sound effects and music from Pixabay—Nesrality and Olexy) -- "Text us feedback." Co-hosts Alex Kvanli & John Burgman discuss all-things related to Camp Voyageur in Ely, Minnesota. They share trail stories, interview Voyageur alumni, & reflect on the lore of the Great Northw...

Joe Baumann was a counselor for many years, starting in 2007. His time at Camp included evolving from a total newbie to a renowned trail leader and trip enthusiast. But he also learned to embrace the quieter, easier times at Camp—and the special trail moments that are so hard to explain with words. --    (Sound effects and music from Pixabay—Caffeine Creek Band) -- "Text us feedback." Co...

An audio exploration of one of Camp's most meaningful traditions. -- (Sound effects and music from Pixabay—Phill_Dillow, 21039285, and Olexy) -- "Text us feedback." Co-hosts Alex Kvanli & John Burgman discuss all-things related to Camp Voyageur in Ely, Minnesota. They share trail stories, interview Voyageur alumni, & reflect on the lore of the Great Northwoods. They also tra...

Why are we drawn to the Boundary Waters?  See also: Nature's Effect on our Brains and Well-being by Alex Kvanli How Wilderness Adventures Foster Lifelong Success by Alex Kvanli Beyond the Tower by John Erdmann Bring Nature Indoors by Alex Kvanli -- ( Sound effects and music from Pixabay–Lesfm, betheart789, and Coma-Media) -- "Text us feedback." Co-hosts Alex Kvanli & John Burgma...

Ned started coming to Camp when he was 9 years old back in 2004. He made the long journey from New Hampshire to Ely every summer until 2018. From overnight trips to long expeditions in remote wilderness, Ned fell in love with the outdoors while at Camp, and forged some of his tightest bonds while on the trail. He now works as a university space planner in Boston, Massachusetts. See also: 10 Tips f...

Sometimes finding something really small on the trail can have a really big impact on the overall experience. See also: 7 Cool Treasures Found on the Trail by Alex Kvanli -- (Sound effects and music from Pixabay—SoundGalleryBy, Magiksolo, and ohhgeeeznotagain) -- "Text us feedback." Co-hosts Alex Kvanli & John Burgman discuss all-things related to Camp Voyageur in Ely, Minnesota. The...

Dylan is Camp Voyageur's Trip Director and has spent over 200 days paddling in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.  Hailing from the Twin Cities, he is currently a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Stout studying computer and electrical engineering.  In his free time he loves to tinker, design, and make everything from canoe paddles to custom circuitry. See also: 9 Food Hacks You C...

What makes a campsite great ? That’s actually a pretty loaded question! See also: Top 10 Mistakes Made at the Campsite by John Erdmann -- (Sound effects and music from Pixabay—QubeSounds, Coma-Media, lesfm, and Playsound) -- "Text us feedback." Co-hosts Alex Kvanli & John Burgman discuss all-things related to Camp Voyageur in Ely, Minnesota. They share trail stories, interview Voyage...

Doug's love of canoeing began when he was a camper and counselor in the early 1970s.  Following a 51-day canoe trip to Hudson Bay, in 1979, he went on a 68-day Alaska canoe expedition through the Brooks Range.  He spent 1981 to 1982 living off the grid with the Ojibway First Nations people of the Winisk River in Northern Ontario. Doug’s love of canoeing led him to marathon canoe racing and cu...

Do you remember crossing your first portage? For any outdoors enthusiast, it’s a rite of passage unlike any other. See also: What It's Like: Cross Your First Portage by John Burgman 8 Golden Rules of Efficient Portaging by Ned Yonkers Camper Insights: How Grand Portage Changes You by Alex Kvanli --   (Sound effects and music from Pixabay—Lesfm, 21039285, Breviceps, and olexy)  -- "Text u...