Youth Group Canoe Trips in the Boundary Waters
Organizing a canoe trips for a large group can be a big task. Let us assist you. Each season we outfit large groups from churches, scout troops and schools. Providing exceptional service to youth groups is a trademark of Duane's Canoe Outfitters, we have been doing it for a very long time. We have return customers each year that first visited the BWCAW as part of a youth group outfitted by Duane's. Often, they are bringing their families to experience the wilderness. Our rates for youth groups are extremely attractive, we even offer a leader allowance. We are also in very close proximity to Birch Lake, just outside of the BWCAW. Large groups often choose to use Forest Service Campsites on this wilderness type lake where permits and user fees are not necessary. Call today to begin planning your wilderness adventure!
Youth Group Rates
| 3 Days | 4 Days | 5 Days | 6 Days | 7 Days | Over 7 Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $220.00 | $240.00 | $260.00 | $280.00 | $300.00 | $300.00 + $45/Day |
- Prices are for standard outfitting, per person, per trip.
- Group of at least 6 or more people, scouts, church groups, school groups and tax exempt number required for rate.
- At least 50% 18 or under. No further discounts apply.
- Leader Allowance: One Free Trip for Every 7 Paid Trips!
- Please call 1-800-729-2710 to confirm current-season group rates.
Why choose Duane's to outfit your youth group wilderness canoe camping trip?
We provide your group with the finest canoes and camping gear. Alumacraft, Grumman, Stearns, Eureka, Coleman, Wenzel, and Kondo Outdoors are names that we trust, and so can you.
Our trail tested menu is not only tasty, but nutritious as well. Our fresh foods are the best available, as are the packaged foods that we provide. Richmoor and Backpacker's Pantry. Generous Portions: We pack 12 dinner servings for groups of 9.Our special group rates provide a superior value. Call for our rate price list, then compare the quality of service, food and equipment that we provide to any that of any outfitter. We even provide one trip free with 7 paying guests.
Our service is fast, friendly, and knowledgeable. We'll take the time to completely orient your group on each aspect of the trip.
Our clean, comfortable bunkhouse is available for your group.
Birch Lake trips, no permits necessary, no group size limits.
Planning a Scout, Church or School Group Trip
Large groups need a little more planning than a family trip, and we are happy to help from the first phone call. Inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a group may have no more than nine people and four watercraft together at any time, on the water, on portages and at campsites. A crew of 18 therefore needs two separate permits and must travel and camp as two separate groups for the entire trip. We will help you pick entry points and routes so that each crew has its own path, and we will run separate orientations if that helps your leaders.Permits for the most popular entry points and dates fill quickly once reservations open on Recreation.gov in late January, so we recommend that group leaders settle on dates and crew sizes early. Our BWCAW permits and entry points page explains fees, the youth user fee and how permits are issued.
Birch Lake: A Great Option for Large Groups
Birch Lake lies just outside the BWCAW and very close to our canoe base. Its Forest Service campsites offer a wilderness-type canoe camping experience without BWCAW permits, user fees or the nine-person group limit, which makes it a good fit for first-time paddlers, younger scouts and groups that want to stay together.Tips for Group Leaders
- Share the personal gear list with every family well before the trip, and check that each paddler has rain gear and two pairs of shoes.
- Hold a swim and paddling practice at home if you can. Every paddler should wear a life jacket on the water.
- Plan short travel days. Young paddlers enjoy the trip more with time to swim, fish and explore camp.
- Give each crew member a job in camp: cooking, dishes, water, firewood and hanging the food pack.
- Review our BWCA camping and portaging tips and fishing tips with your crews.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people can go on one Boundary Waters permit?Up to nine people and four watercraft. Larger groups need separate permits and must stay separated throughout the trip.
Who qualifies for youth group rates?
Scout troops, church groups and school groups of six or more with a tax exempt number, where at least half of the group is 18 or under.
Is there a leader discount?
Yes. Our leader allowance gives your group one free trip for every seven paid trips.
Can our group stay together as one large group?
Not inside the BWCAW. If staying together matters to your group, ask us about a Birch Lake trip, where the BWCAW group limit does not apply.