If you wish to join a crew (Standard Trip) or bring your troop (Flex Trip), the following rates apply to summer 2025.  Trip prices may change year-to-year.  The trip length includes 1 day at the Canoe Base and the remaining days in the Boundary Waters.

• 4-Day Trip: $342

• 6-Day Trip: $487

• 8-Day Trip: $605

• 11-Day Trip: $790

For our North Country Rock n Wildnerness Destinations through GSUSA, prices are higher due to included transportation between Duluth, MN and the Canoe Base, as well as other activities and permits to enter Canada's Quetico Provincial Park. Prices for summer 2025:

• 12 Days (7 in the wilderness) for ages 12-14: $1,210

• 15 Days (10 in the wilderness) for ages 15-18: $1,430

Aside from your personal items, just about everything you need for a canoe trip is included! We supply:

• On the Water: canoes, lifejackets, paddles, maps, permits

• For Campsites: tents, pots, dishes, stove, soap, fuel, water filtration

• Meals: we provide three meals per day, often including meat, veggies, and an evening dessert cooked on the fire! We can also support Girl Scouts with allergies or other dietary restrictions

• Safety Gear: a first-aid kit and emergency radio come with us on all trips

• Trained Guides: all trips will have a canoe guide with Wilderness First Aid, Lifeguarding, and CPR certification, as well as training specific to safe travel practices in the Boundary Waters and Quetico

Check out our packing list to see what you should bring! If there is any gear you are not able to bring, let us know and we can set aside something for you to borrow from our stash of donated and lost-and-found items.

We want to make the Boundary Waters available to all Girl Scouts. Scholarship funding is available to cover trip costs for those in financial need. Contact Melissa Garza, the Director of Property & Program at our council to apply: mgarza@girlscoutslp.org.

The Crew: up to 9 people with 2 or more adults (1-2 will be GS Guides)

The Trip: our classic 5-day Knife Lake loop

Arrival Day (Day 1)

Your crew travels to the Northern Lakes Canoe Base, located about 18 miles outside Ely, MN.  You meet their guides and spend the rest of the day in workshops and preparing for your canoe trip together.

Setting Off From Moose Lake (Day 2)

Your crew will launch around 9am onto Moose Lake with all your food and gear packed with you. Moose Lake connects to Newfound Lake, where we often stop for lunch on the shore around midday. After lunch, you'll continue paddling onto Sucker Lake before your first portage (carrying canoes and gear over land) into Birch Lake. You'll set up tents, gather firewood, cook dinner, and enjoy a refreshing swim.

Building Confidence (Day 3)

On your second day in the Boundary Waters, you'll make your way to Knife Lake. You'll become a pro at padding and portaging by the time you make it to camp! Teamwork is key and you'll find yourself growing closer to your crew, whether you've known them for years or just met a few days ago. For longer trips, you may have another day or two similar to today.

A Much-Deserved Rest (Day 4)

Around the middle of your trip, you'll have a layover day. You get to sleep in, cook pancakes on the fire, and go exploring around camp. If you're on Knife Lake, you might visit The Root Beer Lady's old island or climb a steep trail to Thunder Point. For a more relaxing day, your crew mights swim, journal, and pick blueberries. 

Showcasing Our Skills (Day 5)

After layover day, your crew will be up bright and early to pack your gear, have breakfast, and head back out on the water. You'll test your teamwork and portaging skills on the way into and out of Vera Lake. For longer trips, you may have another day or two of traveling between lakes. On the last night of your trip, you may want to stay up late to savor every last moment with your crew. This is a perfect night to lay out under the stars and admire the Milky Way. If you're lucky, you might even see the northern lights!

One Last Paddle (Day 6)

On your last day, you'll head back on the water and make your way through some familiar lakes on your way back to the Canoe Base. You'll arrive back at the Canoe Base around 2pm for snacks, a shower, and some reflections before heading back home with a couple bug bites and a LOT of stories to share and memories to cherish.

For Girl Scouts who are too young for a trip or looking to dip their toes in before going on a trip the following summer, we have a few ways for you to get involved! Please contact nlcb-trip-planning@nlcbaa.org to schedule.

• Camp Care Day: help out around the Canoe Base by planting gardens, cleaning cabins, raking leaves, and more. Participants will receive a $15 coupon toward registration at any Lakes and Pines council summer camp.

• Canoe Base Sampler Day: arrange a date with our program director to visit and explore the Canoe Base. Learn some paddling basiscs, meet the guides, and enjoy a floating lunch. The program runs from 10am-4pm and is usually of interest to Brownie and Junior troops within a few hours drive of Ely. The cost is $30/person.

• Canoe Base Visit/Free Paddle: Any troop or Girl Scout with family is welcome for a free two-hour visit to explore the Canoe Base, practice portaging a canoe, go for a paddle in the bay, meet our staff, or make a campfire.  All ages are welcome and the visit is free, just make sure to coordiante with us prior to your visit.

On occasion we host Women in the Wilderness trips for adults who are registered Girl Scouts. Let us know you're interested and we'll see if we can get enough folks together for a trip! The trip length and intensity is up to the group's preference.