Storytelling/Humor

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.

Woodswoman and dried-food aficionado Mona Gauthier and former park ranger Marty Koch go up against Kyle Kiepert, local chef with a long pedigree of fine dining restaurants.

Our trio of cooks use donated MSR stoves and cook kits, and a pantry of ... Read More

Rob Kesselring

Campfire River Stories from Anywhere and Everywhere

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

Kyle Parker

What a Cross-Country Canoe Journey Taught Me

Quetico - main floor Sat 10:30am-11:15am

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

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

In this reflective and engaging presentation, long-distance paddler Parker.paddles shares the deeper story behind his cross-country canoe expedition, not just the 5,000 miles traveled, but the mindset shaped along the way. Over months of navigating from Neah Bay, Washington to Key Largo, Florida through remote rivers, wild weather, and long stretches of solitude, Parker discovered unexpected lessons about resilience, fear, trust, time, and the quiet, profound kindness of strangers met along the ... Read More

Bear Paulsen

Wilderness Babies

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

Most wilderness travellers give similar reasons for visiting the backcountry, among them: recreation, relaxation, inspiration, and seeing wildlife. Everyone loves seeing animals. It's a thrill to see animals in their natural environment especially when you have successfully hunted them with a camera. Babies are rarer than adults and even more exciting. Bear will share pictures and stories from memorable encounters with youthful wildlife across North America. Come for a gamut of wildlife from ... Read More

Stephen Simpson

Boreal Odyssey: A Northwoods Vision Quest

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

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

This presentation describes Steve's experiences as he paddled a Klepper Kayak 3000 miles through lakes Michigan and Superior and along the network of rivers, lakes, and portages commonly called the "Voyageurs Highway" in Canada. He was 19 when he set out from Evanston, Illinois in 1975, socially inept, disillusioned with civilization, and convinced he wanted to become a hermit. When asked about future plans by a High School Guidance Counsellor, he described his life goal as "Finding a remote ... Read More

Jerry Vandiver, Caitlin Evanson, Amanda Healan

Songs about paddling and all things outdoors!

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

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

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

Back to Canoecopia for the 14th year, award-winning songwriter Jerry Vandiver has song credits on over 15 million records and paddling credits on countless rivers, streams, and lakes across North America. Jerry will be debuting several new songs along with favorites from his previous paddlesongs CDs. Look for several special guests joining Jerry and The One Match Band (featuring Caitlin Evanson & Amanda Healan) for a fun, musical and unique addition to the Canoecopia experience.