The Camp Voyageur Podcast
Co-hosts Alex Kvanli and John Burgman discuss all-things related to Camp Voyageur in Ely, Minnesota. They share trail stories, interview Voyageur alumni, and reflect on the lore of the Great Northwoods. They also trade Boundary Waters travel tips and advice. Whether you’re a former camper, a current camper, or an adventure enthusiast looking to improve your Boundary Waters experience, there’s something for everyone in each episode.
Episodes
34 episodes
Onward to the Bay! Lessons Learned Paddling from Ely to Hudson Bay with Peter Grunawalt
Peter Grunawalt recounts his 39-day paddle to Hudson Bay alongside fellow Camp Voyageur alumni Elliot Keller, Charlie Steiner, and friend Matt Fossand. Setting off on June 15th, 2014, from the shores of Camp's bay, the team navigated rugged lan...
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Episode 34
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23:44
Founder Charlie Erdmann's Interview on CampTalk (1998)
Charlie was known for his larger-than-life persona and stories, wisdom, and love for teaching. But don’t take my word for it, hear it “straight from the horse’s mouth”, as Charlie would say!You might also like:
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Episode 33
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36:06
Paddle Post Archives: War Canoe to Knife Lake (1987)
Another throwback trip story from the pages of an old Paddle Post newspaper. Story by Mike Zwirn.
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Episode 32
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5:44
Trip Story: A Collection of Memories (ft. Tom McKenna)
Longtime camper Tom McKenna recounts some highlights of his many trail adventures, including some experiences that took place in the rugged Alaskan backcountry after Camp.See also:
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Episode 31
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10:00
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12 Days in Wabakimi Provincial Park, Ontario
Grab a front-row seat as Alex shares stories from his crew's epic trip and the preparation involved. Don't forget to check out his trip video! The Wabakimi Provin...
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Episode 30
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1:05:53
Big Trips & CV Olympic Highlights with Ben, Ben, & Huck
Veteran campers Ben and Huck share what it's like being a Camp Voyageur Olympic Captain, hiking in the mountains of Montana, paddling from Ely to Lake Superior, portaging over the 8.5-mile Grand Portage, & more.
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Episode 29
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1:30:15
LIVE Late Nights with Camp Voyageur
Join Ben and Ben live in the Mess Hall where campers and staff share hilarious stories of fish, epic trips, and current events. John Erdmann closes the show with two songs you can't miss.
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Episode 28
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50:16
The Biggest Boundary Waters Myths... BUSTED!
Co-hosts Alex and John discuss some of the biggest “myths” about camping in the Boundary Waters, including common misconceptions related to portaging, weather, trail food, and more. See also:
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Episode 27
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1:27:08
Paddle Post Archives: The Sirens of Eskwagama (2001)
A story about the time-honored camp day-trip of bushwhacking into Mystery Lake. Story by Jack Davidson and John Ranson. --(Sound effects and music from Pixabay)--
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Episode 26
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7:31
Jim Nicholson on 50 Years of Canoe Trips, Meeting the Root Beer Lady, & Saving the Boundary Waters
Jim ponders how his tripping philosophy has changed since the 1960s and describes his visit with Dorothy Molter, the last permanent, non-indigenous resident of the Boundary Waters. You might also like:
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Episode 25
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38:25
Trip Story: Racing a Storm (ft. Ned Brandt)
Ned Brandt recalls how the war canoe could be a heavy, cumbersome, water-logged vessel on the trail—but also how its size allowed for moving very fast across the water when absolutely necessary. --(Sound effects and music from ...
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Episode 24
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4:32
Charles Erdmann on Parenting Today's Kids, Developing Their Personalities, & Tips for Taking Them Camping (Without Screens)
Charlie draws upon his experience raising four boys, camp counseling, and leading 100+ camping trips.See also:...
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Episode 23
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33:35
Tom McKenna on Appreciating Leadership at Camp, Working Up to “Great Big Trips,” & Discovering Serendipitous Camp Connections Later in Life
Camp alumnus Tom McKenna recalls the camp programming of the 1960s, the memorable Greencastle and Monmouth cohorts of campers, and one of the most legendary “Voyageur Firsts.”See also:
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Episode 22
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38:54
Trip Story: Digging Deep (ft. Dale Reckman)
Dale Reckman reflects on a trip from the mid-1970s during which the solution to a particular dilemma resided in an unlikely place—on the muddy shoreline.--(Sound effects and music from Pixabay)--
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Episode 21
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5:40
Ned Brandt on Camp in the Late 1980s, His Unique Connection, & Lessons Learned
Ned recounts his fond memories of Coach, a certain infamous trunk, Charlie Erdmann, and growing up at summer camp.See also:1980s: New Na...
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Episode 20
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26:11
2023 Summer Recap
Alex and John discuss some of the highlights from the recently concluded camp season, including pre-camp preparations, in-camp activities, and trail adventures. (Plus, Alex shares details and dates about the upcoming 2024 summer camp season!)
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Episode 19
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1:09:08
Trip Story: The Ultimate Protein Diet (ft. Greg Lippert)
Camp alumnus Greg Lippert recalls having to improvise when it came to eating well on the trail.--(Sound effects and music from Pixabay—Caffeine Creek Band, JuliusH, AntipodeanWriter, etc.)--
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Episode 18
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3:50
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Trip Story: Almost There (ft. Joe Baumann)
Former counselor Joe Baumann reflects on an overly ambitious trip to Nibin Lake and Bibon Lake—known as “Nibin & Bibon” in Camp Voyageur lore.--(Sound effects and music from Pixabay—Caffeine Creek Band, JuliusH, Breviceps, Andre...
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Episode 17
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16:49
Trip Story: Paddling from Ely to Minneapolis with Bryan Halverson & Kyle Emmans
Bryan and Kyle share their 415-mile canoe expedition from Farm Lake to Minneapolis. --(Sound effects and music from Pixabay)--
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Episode 16
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1:03:45
Dale Reckman on Camp Donuts, Perfect Rocks, & The Value of Lifelong Learning
Dale Reckman was a camper for a couple of years in the mid-1970s, and he has continued to enjoy and explore the wilderness of Northern Minnesota ever since. In fact, he has spent a total of more than 300 nights in the Boundary Waters and ...
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Episode 15
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43:47
Greg Lippert on Benefitting from the Small-Group Dynamic, Gaining Proficiency on the Trail, & Attending Camp During the Tumultuous 1960s
Greg Lippert attended Camp for a series of years that spanned the late 1960s and early 1970s. Almost immediately, he developed an affinity for the trail and became an avid fisherman. But more broadly, his time at Camp was marked by the historic...
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Episode 14
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52:01
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Trip Story: Strange Sounds (ft. Ned Yonkers)
Former camper and counselor Ned Yonkers recalls a trail dinner mishap...and its feared consequences. -- (Sound effects and music from Pixabay—Caffeine Creek Band, JuliusH, Musictown, and MondayHopes) --&nb...
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Episode 13
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6:00
Boundary Waters Gear Hacks
Alex and John share some of their favorite gear tips. See also:9 Food Hacks You Can Do in the BWCAW by Alex Kvanli
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Episode 12
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1:01:56
Otto Jose On His Career in Conservation, Introducing Kids to the Outdoors, & Chasing Mountain Lions
Otto's passion for the outdoors included his Camp Voyageur summer experience in 1974. His love for the outdoors led to a 30+ year career in outdoor recreation/education and wildlife conservation. This included working for Indiana University's B...
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Episode 11
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47:31
