Summer 2025 Reunion Information |
Dust off your paddles and grab your friends, family, and Duluth packs - it’s time to head north and gather under the towering pines and sparkling night skies of the great North Woods! The 2025 Northern Lakes Canoe Base Alumni Reunion is officially set for Friday, July 11 through Sunday, July 13, and we can’t wait to see you back at the place that helped shape so many adventures, friendships, and stories worth retelling around the campfire. What to Expect - We may arrive any time after 4pm on Thursday and set up tents, use the shower house and fire circles in the tent area. Official reunion fun kicks off Friday evening with a campfire dinner in the tent area, just like you remember for Arrival Day for crews - and yes, there will be S'mores and songs! Reconnect with guides, share stories from the portage trails, and relive the magic of the canoe base with a sky full of stars overhead. Saturday is packed with family-friendly fun, featuring classic voyageur games - so start practicing your tug-of-war, paddle strokes and bear hang skills! The evening brings a banquet dinner with a silent auction, where you’ll have the chance to snag treasures donated by fellow alumni while supporting the canoe base we all love. Cash, check and Venmo accepted!
On Sunday, we’ll have breakfast supplies out early for those who have a long road home, or feel free to get up late like on Layover Day, but we have to clear out by Noon so summer staff can prepare to welcome the Destination participants back on Monday! Where to Stay - Bring your tent and camp on Base for free all weekend, or gather your old trail buddies and rent a cozy cabin in Ely - the perfect base camp for your reunion adventure. The base is available for camping from 4pm on Thursday, July 10th until Noon on Sunday, July 13th. Registration & T-Shirts - Register by June 1st to secure your spot and your exclusive reunion T-shirt - designed to show off your Boundary Waters pride! Registrations after June 1 will be slightly higher, and we can’t guarantee you a shirt… but we can guarantee a great time. There’s also a registration option for the Saturday evening banquet only if you’re local and only plan to attend that evening. (Yes, it's that easy - and there's even a carpool interest option if you're flying into MSP and looking to share the ride north.) Friday Fun in Ely - Arriving early? Make Friday an Ely day! Join optional group visits to the beloved Dorothy Molter Museum and the International Wolf Center before heading back to Base for the evening festivities. Silent Auction - Got a special item or a handmade good you'd like to donate to the silent auction? We’d love it! Send us the details at reunion@nlcbaa.org. Can’t make it in person? No problem - we’ll help get your item to Ely! Questions? - Reach out to our Reunion Planning Crew: Denise Hayes, Paisley Nash-Dooley, Eliza Hotchkiss, Alexa DeJoannis, Daci Jett, and Liz Hobson. They’re already busy planning an unforgettable weekend, and they’d love to hear from you. You can email . So, whether it’s been five years or fifty, this is the summer to come home to the place where momentous moose sightings, memories of morning mist on the lake, and loon songs still echo. Join us at the Northern Lakes Canoe Base and rekindle the spirit of adventure, the strength of sisterhood, and the joy of the wilderness. We’ll see you on the portage trail - reunion-bound! |
2025 NLCBAA Reunion – Frequently Asked Questions
(aka: Everything You Didn’t Know You Needed to Know About the Best Weekend Ever)
Q: When and where is the reunion happening?
A: Pack your Duluth packs and mark your calendars! The 2025 NLCBAA Reunion is happening July 11 - 13, 2025 at our beloved Northern Lakes Canoe Base in Ely, Minnesota. Yes, the place where the mosquitoes hum lullabies and the loons are your personal soundtrack.
Q: Who can come?
A: If you’ve ever portaged a canoe, sung "Barges" around a campfire, or lost a sock in Moose Lake, this reunion is for YOU! Former staff, campers, trip leaders, and honorary canoe haulers of all kinds are welcome.
Q: What can I expect at the reunion?
A: Think: campfires, throwback paddles, old friends, and stories that may or may not have gotten more dramatic over the years. Take a canoe on the water, enjoy nostalgia-fueled activities, and enough s’mores to question your life choices (in the best way).
Q: Do I need to bring anything?
A: Bring your adventurous spirit, bug spray (you know better), and anything you'd love to share - photos, gear, stories, or even that beat-up paddle you swore you'd retire. And yes, bring a raincoat. If you plan to camp on base, be prepared to bring your own supplies.
Q: Can I bring my family?
A: Absolutely! Whether your kids need to experience the joy of canoeing or your partner finally wants to see what all the “Boundary Waters magic” talk is about, this is a family-friendly event. The more, the merrier! We have special registration fees for kids.
Q: I haven’t been back in years... will I feel out of place?
A: Not a chance. Within five minutes of arriving, you’ll be back in the groove. Canoe Base alumni speak a universal language: one part trail mix, two parts laughter, and a whole lot of “remember when?”
Q: If I camp on base, will there be showers/bathrooms available?
A: Funny you should ask... We’re working to raise money to build a new shower house! You're welcome to use the one currently here and be inspired to give to our exciting projects.
Q: How do I register?
A: Head on over to the registration site, fill out the form, pay your registration fee, and you’re in! Early bird pricing available before June 1st, and yes, it comes with bragging rights.
Q: I can’t attend but still want to be involved. What can I do?
A: You can still be part of the reunion magic by donating, sending a message to be read at the banquet, or supporting our fundraising efforts for the canoe base, donating to the silent auction and more. Also, don’t be surprised if your old camp buddy sends you guilt-trip texts until you RSVP for 2027.
Q: Why should I come?
A: Because the Canoe Base isn’t just a place - it’s a feeling. A reunion is your chance to reconnect with people who “get it,” relive the joy of the trail, and maybe finally beat your old paddling time across the bay (or at least try). You’ll laugh, cry (happy tears), and leave full of north woods spirit... and probably a few mosquito bites. But well worth it.
Want more info or have a question not covered here? Email Us