Camp/Wilderness Skills

Tim Aurand, Beth Naughton

An Epic Journey to the 63 United States National Parks

Bear - upstairs Fri 4:30pm-5:15pm

Sylvania - main floor Sun 1:30pm-2:15pm

A PowerPoint presentation of the planning, and implementation of visiting all 63 US National Parks in 27 months. Immediately after retirement, Beth and Tim bought a Ram Promaster van and upfitted it into a camper van and set out on their journey to see all 63 national parks.
We will present many insights previously presented in Beth's blog - Wilderness Wandering which provided details on each of our park visits. Included in our presentation will be details regarding the van purchase and ... Read More

Timothy Bauer

The Pleasures and Perils of Cold Weather Paddling

Superior - main floor Sat 2:30pm-3:15pm

Winter paddling started for Timothy one year when there was no snow to ski on. The following year, he realized that he'd paddled at least once a month for the previous 12 months, which in turn led him to wonder how long he could keep it up. Fourteen years later (or 168 months in a row), the quest has superseded the question.

But isn't it dangerous? Isn't it cold? Isn't the water frozen? Sometimes. But it's also a bewitching time of year. The stern serenity of the season defies ... Read More

Bob Carlson

Brew your best cup in the woods

Atrium - upstairs Sat 12:30pm-1:15pm

Atrium - upstairs Sun 10:30am-11:15am

Myles Carter

Outfitter Assisted Self-guided Far North Canoe Tripping

Bear - upstairs Sun 11:30am-12:15pm

John Chase

5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I Started Kayaking

BWCA - main floor Fri 5:30pm-6:15pm

Superior - main floor Sat 9:30am-10:15am

It sounds easy...buy a boat, put it in the water, start paddling. Let's talk about what you need, what you don't, and more to make a paddler's first or 50th day on the water full of smiles. Come to this safe space where we'll explore all those questions that you've been afraid to ask but need to know.

John Chase

Perfectly Pack your Kayak for a Multi-Day Trip

to be scheduled

Loading your personal and shared group gear in your boat is both art and science. This hands-on workshop will equip you with tips and tricks to pack your kit for a dry, safe and enjoyable multi-day journey without having to cut the handle off your toothbrush.

Aluminum Chef

Superior - main floor Sat 4:30pm-5:15pm

For over twelve years we've had our own homage to a particular reality TV competition that we call The Aluminum Chef. Our three Aluminum Chefs will test their camp culinary skills against each other in true outdoor style. Kevin Callan returns as our unstoppable emcee/chaos agent in this fast-paced event.

Woodswoman and dried-food aficionado Mona Gauthier and ormer park ranger Marty Koch go up against presen er of WPT's Emmy-Award-Winning Wisconsin Foodie (and owner of the of the ... Read More

Abigail Cichocki, Emma Brackett, Helena Karlstrom

The Hudson Bay Girls- Lessons Learned from 80 Days on the Water

Quetico - main floor Fri 5:30pm-6:15pm

Algonquin - main floor Sun 11:30am-12:15pm

In the summer of 2025, the Hudson Bay Girls-a team of four college-aged women-completed an 80-day, 1,381-mile canoe expedition from Lake Superior to Hudson Bay. They are the first all-female crew to publicly document their paddle along the historic fur trade route from Grand Portage to York Factory. Join them to hear stories from the trail, learn what it takes to plan a multi-month wilderness expedition, and explore how their journey connects adventure, environmental stewardship, and ... Read More

Peter Frank

4,853 mile eastern US circumnavigation by canoe

Bear - upstairs Fri 3:30pm-4:15pm

Bear - upstairs Sat 9:30am-10:15am

Algonquin - main floor Sat 2:30pm-3:15pm

On October 20th at 9:43am, Peter Frank completed the circumnavigation of the eastern United States, "The Great Loop", becoming one of the few people to complete the route by paddle. The journey, spanning 5,043 miles, was performed solely by canoe, and took 500 days to reach the destination from whence it began. There was no dedicated support crew, he spent most nights in a tent, apart from the times he was hosted by strangers whom he met along the way. Peter started at 22 years old, and crossed ... Read More

Chris Gavin

Foraging from Watercraft

Sylvania - main floor Fri 3:30pm-4:15pm

Bear - upstairs Sat 3:30pm-4:15pm

Join us as we explore the cornucopia of wild edible foods that can be encountered on the water during your next paddle. Whether finding an edible wild mushroom on a stream side log by chance, or gearing-up to head out in your watercraft to gather wild rice, we will cover the basics of getting into wild foods that can commonly be encountered while paddling, recommend resources to increase your knowledge and confidence, and answer your questions about how to harvest wild food safely and ethically. ... Read More

Rob Kesselring

Campfire River Stories from Anywhere and Everywhere

Quetico - main floor Sun 1:30pm-2:15pm

Rob Kesselring

Have Canoe, Have Van, Will Travel

Quetico - main floor Sat 12:30pm-1:15pm

For a decade, Rob Kesselring and noted Canadian Canoeist and Birder, Sue Plankis, have been full-time van lifers. Traveling from the Arctic Circle in Alaska to the Florida Everglades, they have learned the secrets of Vanlife. Their first van was a DIY Ford F-Series, and for the last six years, it has been a professionally converted Dodge Promaster. Their favorite hull up on the roof rack is a 32-pound carbon tandem canoe. Attend the presentation to find out why. Learn the ins and outs of the ... Read More

Rob Kesselring

The Thrill of a Self-Guided Far North Canoe Trip, You Can Do It!

Superior - main floor Sat 3:30pm-4:15pm

Ken Koscik

Quetico Provincial Park - Wisdom from 57 Years and over 85 trips

Caribou - upstairs Fri 3:30pm-4:15pm

Caribou - upstairs Sat 10:30am-11:15am

Ken Koscik started his adventuresome journeys to the Quetico Provincial Park in 1969. Quetico is 1.2 million acres of wilderness, and shares the Canadian border with the famous Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Northern Minnesota and is well known for its wilderness canoe camping experience and great fishing.
Ken will share his love for and experiences in Quetico. This will include the awesome beauty of the wilderness, the wildlife, the canoeing, the camping, the fishing, the solitude and ... Read More

Stacie Longwell Sadowski, Vince Sadowski

Hammock Camping 101: Hanging out in the Woods

Caribou - upstairs Sat 2:30pm-3:15pm

Caribou - upstairs Sun 2:30pm-3:15pm

Curious about how to get started hammock camping? This presentation will introduce you to the comfort and ease of hammocking. We will share the advantages and disadvantages to hammocks, equipment that you can buy or make, safety tips, and Leave No Trace principles. Either for use as a primary shelter, or just an occasional add-on, hammock camping will expand your fun and comfort outdoors. Avoid common mistakes and misconceptions about hammocks. Learn about different hammock styles, sleeping ... Read More

David Meier

20 Items Experienced BWCA Campers Always Pack (That Newbies May Forget!)

BWCA - main floor Fri 3:30pm-4:15pm

Sylvania - main floor Sat 2:30pm-3:15pm

Andy Nevitt, John Seal

421 Miles: Fast Paddling the Wisconsin River

Algonquin - main floor Fri 5:30pm-6:15pm

BWCA - main floor Sun 2:30pm-3:15pm

Dave Shapiro

Ask the Knot Guy

Atrium - upstairs Sat 1:30pm-4:40pm

Atrium - upstairs Sat 1:30pm-4:15pm

Atrium - upstairs Sat 2:30pm-3:15pm

Atrium - upstairs Sat 3:30pm-4:15pm

Will my canoe stay on top of the car for the drive? Will my tarp fall down in the rain? Will my kayak get washed off the beach during the night? Stop by our clinic for a hands-on lesson, check out our knot board, learn a better truckers' hitch. Ask us your knot related questions, if we don't know the answer we will find out for you.

Kris Simonson

How to Go Solo at Any Age

Superior - main floor Fri 3:30pm-4:15pm

Algonquin - main floor Sat 9:30am-10:15am

BWCA - main floor Sun 10:30am-11:15am

Traveling solo can be intimidating, especially as we age. When I started my attempts at solo BWCA trips, I struggled with gear weight, safe travel systems, and managing my own expectations. Came learn about the changes I made to lighten my gear and the physical and mental preparation that have allowed me to safely expand beyond entry point lakes. Learn about strategies to pare your gear to a weight that can be single portaged.

Donna Smith, PJ Smith

Fly Fishing 101 - A Beginner’s Guide to Fly Fishing

Atrium - upstairs Sun 12:30pm-1:15pm

Riley Smith

The Ephemeral Joys of November Canoe Trips in the BWCAW

Bear - upstairs Fri 5:30pm-6:15pm

Bear - upstairs Sat 2:30pm-3:15pm

Isis Timm

We Endeavor: Lessons Learned on the Border Route Challenge

Caribou - upstairs Sat 11:30am-12:15pm

BWCA - main floor Sat 2:30pm-3:15pm

In 2025, Isis became the youngest woman to complete the 220 mile Voyager Challenge, a self-supported 8-day endurance paddle across the BWCA. In her presentation "We Endeavor: Lessons Learned on the Border Route Challenge" she'll detail her preparation, gear, and the physical and emotional obstacles she faced completing this extreme endurance expedition.

Calem Watson

Alone Across the Northwest Territories

Quetico - main floor Fri 3:30pm-4:15pm

BWCA - main floor Sun 1:30pm-2:15pm

Karla With A K

Day Paddling Trips & Paddle-in campsites in & around Wisconsin State Parks

BWCA - main floor Fri 6:30pm-7:15pm

BWCA - main floor Sat 11:30am-12:15pm

Did you know some of our Wisconsin State Parks have water trails for you to paddle? And paddle-in sites to camp at? If not, then this is the session for you! Take a journey with me around the state to learn about which state parks have great day water trips and also paddle-in campsites. Karla will talk about location, entry points, notable facts, and learned hacks.

Karla With A K

Hammock Camping 201

Caribou - upstairs Sat 3:30pm-4:15pm

Dive deeper into the hammock camping world and learn how to get the best sleep after a winter hike. We will talk about suspension, protection (tarp & bug net), hammock (style, length, & fabric) and insulation (pads, TQ / UQ, socks, & tents). We briefly mention safety, group hangs, pets, hammock ethics and additional resources. If you have any hammock questions, this is the session to get them answered.