River Heroes
Adventure in Service!
Ages: 11+
Trip Length: 6 days / 5 nights
Small Group Rate (3-5 people): $4000
Full Group Rate (6-10 people): $6000
about the destination
The Namekagon/St. Croix Scenic Riverway is noted for being one of the most scenic waterways in the state of Wisconsin. And it needs your help!
You will become intimately familiar with its clear waters, lush banks, and comfortable campsites as you paddle, camp, and care for this precious eco-system!
Along your route, you’ll stop to clean up trash and remove invasive species. Your hard work will bless the critters who call this place home, and the fellow travelers who have also come here to experience real peace. You’ll live the call to care for God’s creation.
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Trip overview
The week begins at Amnicon, where you have a day or preparation and orientation to learn everything you need to know, such as how to pack and what to do if your canoe tips. We do a big campfire on our sandy beach of Lake Superior that night. The next morning, we drive you out to the Namekagon. You spend each day paddling down the river, setting up camp each afternoon. There is time to swim, explore, and play before cooking dinner over the fire. You end each evening with a meaningful community conversation around the fire. At the end of your trip, we’ll pick you up and bring you back to Amnicon. You’ll spend your last night sleeping under the stars on our sandy beach of Lake Superior. It’s AWESOME!
frequently asked questions
Who can come on a River Heroes trip?
Trip participants must be:
- At least 11 years old on the first day of the trip,
- In reasonably good health,
- Able to lift and carry 30 pounds over a short distance,
- Able to swim 25 yards and tread water for 30 seconds while wearing a USCG certified Personal Floatation Device (life jacket)
- Able to walk half a mile over uneven terrain without assistance, AND
- Have a licensed medical practitioner sign a health form certifying that they are healthy enough to engage in the kinds of activities we’ll do on this trip.
Anyone with a chronic medical condition must:
- Be able to manage their own care without assistance,
- Bring all their own medications and supplies,
- Be willing and able to communicate with Amnicon staff if they’re not doing well,
- Have experience managing their condition during prolonged periods of increased stress & activity, AND
- Have not had any medical emergencies within the last year.
If you have questions about whether this trip will be a good fit for you, don’t hesitate to contact us! Call 715-364-2602, email info@amnicon.org, or click the button below.
What are the guides like?
Our wilderness guides are amazing, and you’ll love them. We send two highly trained individuals with each group. They will be at least 19 years old, and have been chosen because they have demonstrated an impressive level of maturity, care of creation, and a desire to connect with and serve our campers. They will be certified in Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness Water Safety, CPR, and have extensive training in wilderness skills, navigation, group management, and mental health first aid. We do our best to hire a diverse staff every year, and often hire staff from overseas! Amnicon does not discriminate in our hiring based on gender identity, sexual orientation, race, country of origin, or religious affiliation.
What are the bathroom facilities like?
Campsites have pit toilets that are often referred to as “Ranger Boxes”. They are down a path and out of view of the campsite. It’s like sitting on a toilet seat without any walls. It might be a little weird your first time, but once you get used to it, the view is quite nice! And no walls means they usually don’t smell bad. Every few miles along the river there are boat landings that have concrete outhouses.
Is there any portaging?
Nope! That’s one of the perks of paddling down a river.
Is there time for swimming?
Usually there is ample time to swim on this trip. Campsites are located every ½ – 1 mile along the river, which means each group has a lot of flexibility in terms of how far they want to paddle each day and how much free time they want to have.
Wondering Something else?
ready for an adventure?
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