Summer BWCA Trips Overview
Jesus’ invitation: “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest a while.” (Mark 6:31)
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Boundary Waters Trip Overview
A retreat
An adventure
An invitation to slow down -
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Wilderness Orientation
Half-day training in May
Leave No Trace, Wilderness Living Commitment, Wilderness Etiquette, Teamwork
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Spring Training
Half-day training in June
Hands-on training on how to portage, set up camp, load canoes, navigate, paddle, and work as a team.
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Packing Party
Saturday afternoon before your trip
Meet with your team bringing the items on the packing list to pack our portage packs for trail.
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Day 1
Drive up north and camp
Drive up, slow down, and settle into wilderness life at a rustic campground on the edge of the Boundary Waters.
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Day 2
Enter the Boundary Waters
Enjoy our first morning solitude, breakfast, and Bible study. Pack up camp and head into the Boundary Waters!
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Days 3-5
Explore the Boundary Waters
Enjoy our base camp with day trips, siesta, Trail Study, and Team Time exploring the Boundary Waters together.
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Day 6
Pack up camp and travel home
Keep the unhurried vibes for our final BWCA morning as we pack up camp, leisurely paddle and portage out, and drive then home.
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Fall Follow-Up
Celebration in September
Gather with your team in the Cities to enjoy trip pictures and a meal. Celebrate our trail days and share what God did and is doing!
Waters of Rest Boundary Waters Trips 2026
Intentional, unhurried retreats the goal of time with the Lord in the wilderness for healing, rest, and restoration.
Individuals or groups ages 18-70s can sign up. Trips are men’s, women’s, or co-ed.
Trips are guided and include trail food, gear, programming, a trail (Bible) study, and spiritual formation.
The 2026 trip cost is $900. The benefits are immeasurable!
Programming includes:
A required 4- hour Wilderness Orientation in May
A required 4-hour Spring Training in June
A required Packing Party prior
The 6-day/5-night trip
Trip 1: July 6-11, 2026, with Packing Party July 4
Trip 2: July 27-Aug 1, 2026, with Packing Party July 25
Trip 3: Aug 17-22, 2026 with Packing Party Aug 15
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 history 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) Be flexible and humble, ready to learn
3) Stay open to explore without 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 guide’s instructions promptly
Organizationally:
1) Complete the registration process by early May
2) Reply to emails in a timely manner
What are the steps to registering for a trip?
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There are many ways to visit the Boundary Waters. Waters of Rest trips are intentionally unique. Please take some time to consider if you are interested in this type of a trip. We are not a commercial outfitter, but an intentional wilderness retreat. See above.
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Each member of the group will commit to basic principles of wilderness living. These are essential and non-negotiable for the safety and unity of the team.
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We’d love to hear from you and walk you through the process of registering for a Waters of Rest trip for summer 2026! Let’s get the conversation started!
