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Backpackers walk through a black landscape with green plants and craggy volcanic mountains beyond. Image by thehikinghi.com

Spring Break to Hawaii!

We’re heading to Maui for a weeklong escape packed with jaw-dropping scenery, tropical vibes, and some serious outdoor adventure. The heart of the trip will be a four-day backpacking trek through Haleakalā National Park, where we’ll hike through the surreal volcanic crater, camp beneath the stars, and soak in the dramatic views of ancient lava flows. Before we lace up our boots and head into the backcountry, we’ll kick things off with a catamaran tour along Maui’s stunning coastline. This sail will take us out to some of the island’s best snorkeling spots, where we’ll dive into crystal-clear waters teeming with vibrant coral reefs and tropical marine life.

This trip registration is now closed, but you can still read about it on our Spring Break webpage!

A canoe is paddled in front of the dark reflection of trees on water

Wilderness Canoe Trip to Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota

Paddle with us into one of the most breathtaking wilderness areas in the country. Spend 7 days canoeing through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), navigating crystal-clear lakes, portaging through pine forests, camping under the stars, and unplugging from everyday stress. This trip is about adventure, community, and challenge—no experience needed, just a willingness to try something new. If you’re craving fresh air, lifelong memories, and a true backcountry experience, this is your chance.

The Boundary Waters is a genuinely unique place in the world - approximately 1.1 million acres of federally-designated wilderness, a mixture of glacial lakes, streams, rocky cliffs, towering rock formations, forests and water all around. There are no roads, no cabins, not even signs! This is a place of water, sky, trees and animals; humans are the visitors! The Boundary Waters is a Dark Sky Sanctuary, meaning every night is yet another opportunity to enjoy the clear and bright night stars, and there is even a chance for the Northern Lights!

A person carries a canoe upside on her shoulder and smiles.

What is a canoe anyway?

Canoes are human-powered watercraft with an open design, easy to get in and out of, including packs and other gear, too. We will use canoes that are about 18 or 20 feet long and hold 2-3 people. Canoes are the ideal method of traveling in this area, because they are both seaworthy on the small and large lakes of the area, and are also easy to carry across the portages. We will use teamwork to flip them upside down and then one person will carry the canoe on their shoulders on the trail. Each canoe is made of lightweight Kevlar, so while it's a skill to learn, it should be attainable for everyone. Canoes are generally similar to kayaks; they are both small watercraft propelled by a person with a paddle, so if you've paddled a kayak before, it's not vastly different. They are not hard to master!

A white lily pad and green leaf float in a blue lake with the trees and sky beyond.

Our wilderness trip will last 7 days through this spectacular wooded wonderland. You don't need to know anything about paddling -- we'll teach you everything. While it's recommended to be comfortable around water, it is not a requirement to know how to swim (everyone will wear life jackets). Where the lakes are divided by land, we will "portage" which is where we get out of our canoes and carry our canoes and gear across a trail in the woods. Canoe trips are basically the best way to be out in the woods - with a variety of physical activity, you won't get tired of doing the same thing all day! We will carry tents, sleeping bags, stoves, food and everything else we need with us so we can enjoy our time outside. If you've never been camping, that's okay, too! We will get everyone ready with all that they need to know, the only real requirement for all participants is a willing attitude to learn and try new things!

You don't want to miss this trip or chance to enjoy the absolute silence, beautiful vistas, clean and clear water, and the stars above!

Dates: August 4-16, 2026 (Canoe trip dates August 7-13)

Cost: 

  • Current UML student (including incoming first year students and outgoing 2026 graduates): $595 - $300 deposit, with remaining $295 due in early June
  • Alumni, Faculty, Staff, and guests: $745 - $450 deposit, with remaining $295 due in early June

Note: Non-UML Guests are invited to come along with a current or former student, faculty or staff also attending the trip; please register around the same time.

Paddlers in a canoe rest on the water while looking out to the lake.

Cost covers everything: Van transportation to Ely, Minnesota and back from Lowell; camping fees, food, gear and guidance and instruction from your OAP trip leaders, AND a celebratory dinner in the town of Ely, Minnesota, after the trip. During the drive both directions, we will have sandwich items and crackers/snacks available, but we have found that most people on our road trips prefer to buy their own fast food about once a day. The only other costs could be any snacks or incidental purchases you choose to make on the travel there and back.

Register online for OAP 2026 - August 4-16 Boundary Waters Wilderness Canoe Trip

  • Registration deadline: June 1. If the trip has not met its minimum participation by June 1, it will be cancelled and all participants will be fully refunded.
  • Registration is first-come, first-served, so don't miss out! Encourage your friends to join, too! The link will show how many places remain. If it shows "0," you can still register and will join the waitlist. It will ask for your credit card information, but there will be no charge.
The glowing orange orb of the sun sits just above the far tree line and reflects on the water from a high view.

Group size: Group size is limited in the Boundary Waters to 9 people. Therefore, our maximum participants is 7 (plus two trip leaders), minimum 5. A waitlist is maintained once the trip is filled. Encourage your friends to join!

Cancellation Policy: Participants cancelling after June 2 will not receive a full refund unless another participant takes their place on the trip. If no one is able to take their place and the trip still has its minimum participation, they will be refunded 30% of the full payment. If the trip is cancelled by OAP for any reason, participants will receive a full refund of the trip cost.

Skill Level/Prerequisites: No previous experience paddling or overnight camping required.

Physical exertion: Easy to Challenging, depending on the moment. Teamwork is the theme to make anything strenuous easier! Paddling on lakes ranges from easy to strenuous depending on wind speed and direction. Portaging (carrying your gear and canoe on a path) is moderate, and depends on the trail, sometime is very challenging but only lasts a short time. Time spent at the campsite is easy. Participants will paddle and portage roughly 7-8 miles each day. This trip is planned for a generally fit beginner.

A waterfall flows across and past a rocky shoreline with a few trees on either side.

Required pre-trip meeting:

  • Preparation meetings will be scheduled around the participants in early June. In-person for those who can attend; online for those who need it. We will review itinerary, meals, lodging, and travel information.
  • We will have a second in-person meeting for everyone in late July to talk through needs and distribute rental gear.
  • August 2 or 3, timing depends on participant availability: Group meets at Bike Shop and Outdoor Center, packs up gear and food, readies van to leave in the morning. 

Itinerary, August 4-16:

  • August 4-6 (Tuesday through Thursday): Drive halfway across the country, stopping for budget camping in Ohio and Wisconsin on the way. Two days of roughly 10-11 hours drive time, one day 3 hours.
  • August 6: Arrive to Ely, pick up last groceries, finish packing, get orientation. We will stay inside in a bunkhouse overnight.
  • August 7-13 (Friday through Thursday): Seven days of a glorious wilderness camping trip! Each day will be packing up camp and traveling on the waterways between about 9 am and 3 pm. The afternoons and evenings are spent in the campsite relaxing, swimming, eating and enjoying a campfire. The middle day will be a "layover" day where we don't move camp and instead do whatever we want, swim, nap, eat tasty food, our choice!
  • August 13: When we return to town, you will enjoy your best shower ever (ahhhh!), then enjoy a celebratory group dinner at a local restaurant. We will again stay inside a bunkhouse overnight.
  • August 14-16 (Friday to Sunday): Return drive back to Lowell, with stops for budget camping in Indiana and New York. Return by midday to Lowell, clean up gear and celebrate a fantastic trip!

Register online for OAP 2026 - August 4-16 Boundary Waters Wilderness Canoe Trip

A person sits on the ground amidst cooking items at a campsite.

Packing List

The items on this list are strongly recommended for your trip. The weather forecast and your thermal perception (i.e. if you generally feel cold easily or often feel hot) should be considered when packing.

* denotes items we have (limited quantities) that you can borrow for free.

CLOTHING

One set of "wet" clothes - clothes we wear during every travel day and could get fully wet (jumping in the lake, rain, etc). We will wear the same outfit every travel day. (Don't worry, we'll all be the same level of dirty!)

  • Shirt Recommend 1 long-sleeve and 1 short-sleeve, quick-dry, lightweight. Non-cotton, no sweatshirts
  • Underwear Quick-dry (non-cotton) preferable
  • Pants Recommend 1 pair quick-dry pants. Non-cotton, no jeans, no shorts.
  • Socks Recommend a wool lightweight or mid-weight hiking style, 2 pairs is ideal. 
  • "Wet" Shoes We will wear shoes or boots during the day and regularly step into the water. They should have good tread, and ideally with ankle support. They should NOT be marketed as "waterproof." 

One set of "dry" clothes - clothes you can put on at camp and will not get wet during the travel day. We will wear the same outfit at every campsite.

  • Shirt Again, recommend 1 long-sleeve and 1 short-sleeve, quick-dry, lightweight. Non-cotton, no sweatshirts
  • Jacket Recommend 1 fleece, wool, or puffy top layer, should be compact
  • Underwear Quick-dry (non-cotton) preferable
  • Pants or long underwear bottoms/lower base layer Recommend 1 pair, quick-drying material such as nylon or polyester
  • Socks Socks for wearing at camp may be any material, 1 pair.
  • "Dry" Shoes Worn around camp or in the van; very lightweight athletic shoes or sport sandals are ideal—no flip flops or open-toed sandals

Other clothes

  • *Rain jacket Used for both rain and wind.
  • *Rain Pants Used for both rain and wind. Bottoms are a must, as weather can change suddenly
  • Pajamas everyone should always have a dry set of clothes to sleep in
  • Sunglasses Recommend with leash
  • *Warm Hat Sun and/or cold protection (Yes, this may be needed even in the summer)
  • *Gloves Lightweight
  • Neck Gaiter optional, can be used to protect from bugs
  • Baseball hat or sun hat
  • Swimsuit 

PERSONAL

  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
  • Feminine hygiene supplies plus toiletries disposal bag, pee rag
  • Personal environmental supplies Sunscreen, lip balm, bug spray
  • If needed: Hair ties
  • If needed: Glasses/Contacts/contact solution
  • Small pack towel and/or Bandana Washcloth is a perfect size. Versatile: use as sweat rag, hanky, napkin, etc.
  • Personal Medications
  • Medical Insurance Card
  • Optional: Hand sanitizer Small bottle

EQUIPMENT

  • *Headlamp
  • *Sleeping bag For summer, people should plan to use a 15-20 degree bag (which is typically comfortable down to 30-40 degrees depending on your own thermal perception)
  • *Sleeping pad
  • *Lifejackets, paddles and canoes will be provided for you
  • Optional small camp pillow There is not space for a full-size pillow on the wilderness portion of the trip, but you can bring a small blow-up pillow if you have one, or use an extra fleece. 
Two loaded canoes sit against a rocky shoreline.

FOOD AND WATER

  • *Bowl recommend a small plastic Tupperware-type bowl. No plate needed.
  • *Mug or cup lightweight plastic for warm drinks
  • *Utensils
  • *Water Bottle (Only 1 needed)

ADDITIONAL

  • Money For food on the road and/or possible souvenirs
  • Camera (or camera phone). A protective case is highly recommended. (There is no cell phone service in the wilderness.)
  • Book or journal or notebook Great for the van or down time on the trip
  • Lightweight rechargeable battery pack and charging cables
  • Multi-tool or pocketknife
  • Binoculars
  • Snacks for yourself - no more than 1 extra per day

DRIVING/OTHER CLOTHES

  • Driving clothes can be whatever you want and is comfortable! 
  • Extra pair of shoes for the van, to be used in case your shoes are wet after the trip. 
  • We will be camping in our tents and sleeping bags next to the van on the drive there and back. If you want to bring a larger pillow for this camping, feel free. 
  • We will be able to leave extra items behind in the van during our wilderness trip. 


*All items with an asterisk are available to check-out and included in the cost of your registration.

If you have any personal equipment (sleeping bag, etc.) that you would like to bring, please bring it to the pre-trip meeting so trip leaders can make sure it is appropriate for the needs of this trip.

OAP will provide all the necessary group items, including tents, cooking supplies, stoves and fuel, all the food (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks on the trail) and food storage, water purification, hygiene kit (hand sanitizer and biodegradable soap), first aid kit, emergency communication device, and maps, plus the rentals of canoes and paddles and life jackets.

Check out all of our upcoming trips on our Trips and Events Calendar webpage.

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