Summer BWCA Trips Overview

Summer BWCA Trips Overview

Jesus’ invitation to His disciples: “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest a while.” (Mark 6:31)

Boundary Waters Trip Overview

A retreat
An adventure
An invitation to slow down
Spring Training

Choose a half-day training in June
We will learn how to: portage, set up camp, plan for emergencies, load canoes, and work as a team. We will also learn about Leave No Trace, the trail Bible study, solitude, and more! Spring training is a required and valuable part of the trip. Get ready to learn!
Packing Party

The Sunday afternoon before your trip
Meet with your team for a 3-hour packing party. You will bring only the items on the packing list (just a few clothes and personal items) and we’ll pack our portage packs for trail. We will also learn more about our route and itinerary, and each camper will get their assigned trail jobs!
Day 1

Drive up north and camp
The 5-hour drive is time for us to slow down from city life and settle into wilderness life. We will turn off our phones and leave them and watches in the car after lunch. Our first camp will be at a Forest Service campground. Enjoy being in God’s great north woods!
Day 2

Enter the Boundary Waters
Enjoy our first morning solitude with breakfast and Bible study by the lake. Pack up camp and drive to our entry point. Head into the Boundary Waters! Paddle and portage to a campsite. Set up our basecamp, swim, rest, and cook dinner over the fire before final chores and bed.
Days 3-5

Explore the Boundary Waters
Settle into the joy of morning in solitude. Head out on an adventure mid-morning to discover new lakes and find a great rock for lunch. After siesta, paddle and portage back to camp. Dinner and chores wrap up with team discussion time by the lake before sunset.
Day 6

Pack up camp and travel home
Our last day is still unhurried with a leisurely breakfast and Bible study in silence. We’ll have one final team meeting and then pack up camp. As we paddle and portage back to the car, we’ll take in the final sights and sounds of the wilderness. Then we drive home.
Fall Follow-Up

An afternoon or evening in September
Gather together in the Cities with your group a month after the trip. Enjoy looking at your trip pictures over a meal. Celebrate joys, growth, and achievements. Laugh about the hilarious memories and even mistakes. Remember all the Lord did in us on trail.

Thanks for your interest in a Waters of Rest trip!

Waters of Rest trips are small-batch, intentional, unhurried retreats with goals of: time with the Lord in the wilderness, individual growth in humility, and learning together in community through joys and challenges.

Trips are offered July - September. Individuals or groups ages 18-70s can sign up for men’s, women’s, or co-ed trips. These guided 6-day, 5-night trips include training, all food, all gear, rich programming, a trail (Bible) study, and numerous opportunities for spiritual formation. The 2024 cost is $975. The benefits are immeasurable!

Boundary Waters campers do not need to be elite athletes, but need to be able and willing to do the following:

Physically:
1) Walk 1-2 miles up and down hills in various terrains
2) Portage (carry) 40-pound packs and canoes
3) Get in and out of canoe from rocky knee-deep water

Medically:
1) Share medical conditions accurately on med form
2) Know it could take up to 2 days to get to a hospital

Attitudinally:
1) Try new things with a positive attitude
2) Flexible and humble, ready to learn
3) Open to explore, releasing expectations

Spiritually:
1) Desire to seek Jesus in the wilderness
2) Listen, learn, and grow together

Relationally:
1) Work as a team for the good of the group
2) Compassionately help and ask for help
3) Follow instructions promptly and sincerely

Organizationally:
1) Complete the registration process before May
2) Reply to emails in a timely manner

What are the steps to registering for a trip?

There are many ways to visit the Boundary Waters. There are many excellent outfitters who guide trips. Waters of Rest trips are intentionally unique. See above.
Also, please take some time to honestly and prayerfully consider if you are in a place to participate as a camper on one of these trips. See above.
Each member of the group will commit to basic principles of wilderness living. These are essential for the safety and unity of the team, for the preservation of the Boundary Waters, and for a great trip together.
Click here to read the Wilderness Living Commitment.
We’d love to hear from you and walk you through the process of registering for a Waters of Rest trip for summer 2025!
Fill out the Trip Interest Form!