Camp Mini-Yo-We alumni Bryanna “Haka” Elliott is a former camper and much-loved summer staff member. We’re thankful for her current contributions as an adult volunteer, whether that’s serving on our Medical team or supporting our out-tripping programs. Most recently, she’s led our 10-day Northwoods canoe trips for 14- to 15-year-old campers. We invited Bryanna to share about her tripping experiences on this week’s blog.
Out-Tripping Foundations
My first-ever canoe trip was the Voyageur trip at Camp Mini-Yo-We. This was followed later by a trip with my small group during the Leaders in Training (LIT) program. These first trips launched my love for the outdoors and spending time in the backcountry each year. I have been fortunate to meet many friends who like to trip both through camp and outside of camp. Leading the last few Northwoods trips for Mini-Yo-We has been such a blast. I enjoy sharing my love of the great outdoors with each group of campers and spending an extended amount of time in the calm and beauty of nature. Canoe trips and backcountry camping have taught me so much over the years, but I’ll narrow it down to skills, friendships, God and adventure for this post.
Developing Skills
From my Voyageur canoe trip onward, I have learned so many skills. These include camping basics such as fire building, creative cooking over a fire, how to stern a canoe, using a camp stove, packing a dry bag, following a route on a map and portaging a canoe.
I have also learned so much about myself, including how to persevere through long portages both individually (singing a song helps) and collectively as a group. Everyone is a part of the crew and has a role to play on trips. We balance one another’s strengths and weaknesses so that together we can get all the work done. Sometimes, we get to do our favourite jobs, like building a fire, and we also take turns doing our least favourite, like washing the nut-butter knife.
There are always challenges to overcome. To be honest, there are moments on each trip when I question why I choose to do this, usually on a long, hot day with a few portages or when we’re paddling into the wind down the Northeast Arm of Lake Temagami. However, when the trip is over, the laughs and the great times I had with the group are what I remember most.
Fast-Track to Friendship
There is something about trips that brings people closer. You scale a steep hill with heavy packs together in the pouring rain and — BAM — instant friendship. You now have a friend who you know you can count on during the good times and who will stick alongside you in the low times.
The combination of spending a lot of time with a small group of people, having few distractions and supporting one another through tough things like long portages fast-tracks friendships. Some moments are not so fun, but the people around you can make it a positive experience. You find ways to fill the hours you spend together in close proximity. Some groups love to sing, others like to chat. I have experienced and witnessed the closeness groups feel when they accomplish something together.
I loved watching the LIT trips I led sit down to play cards together and hang out for hours. I remember my own LIT small group spending the first free time after we returned from our trip with just our group because we had enjoyed getting to spend time with one another so much. I am thankful I have been able to get to know so many people in this way.
On my last camp trip, I enjoyed seeing the campers spend quality time together by building a bow and arrow, creating their own sleeping shelter/sauna, catching fish and playing rounds upon rounds of Monopoly Go.
Growing Closer to God
It is such a blessing to be able to experience God’s creation when in the backcountry. It feels as though you have a front-row seat to the sunrises, sunsets, stars and northern lights. Seeing wild animals is always a bonus; although, our groups are so loud we scare them off most of the time. Seeing bald eagles, osprey, moose, beavers and turtles never gets old.
I have learned so much about God through canoe trips. He has answered our prayers and I have felt his presence many times. He has given me patience and strength and has kept us safe. I have learned about God through conversations with others and seeing how his word is applicable in our daily lives. The long paddles provide excellent opportunities to talk about God and discuss what we are learning.
Always on an Adventure
Each and every trip is an adventure — you never know what could happen around the corner. There are so many variables that repeating the same route looks different from trip to trip. The unknown is one of my favourite parts. There are always unforeseen challenges: a broken tent pole, a misplaced map, discovering the site you hoped to stay at is already occupied, a thunderstorm that comes out of nowhere or a completely mud-covered portage route. It’s guaranteed that anyone who has been on a trip has a story to tell.
I am thankful for the camp where I took my first few trips and I am looking forward to many, many more to come!
Take Your Own Trip This Summer!
Is your camper ready to try out-tripping? Mini-Yo-We’s Voyageur program for 11- to 12-year-olds is the perfect 3-day starter trip for those with no experience. Click to learn more about Voyageur!
New for Summer 2025, we’re offering a 5-day trip called Explorer for campers aged 13 to 14. It will build on the skills learned in Voyageur but does not require past tripping experience. Click to learn about our Explorer trip!
Northwoods is an incredible 10-day trip through Temagami for 14- to 15-year-old campers who are ready to challenge themselves. Click to learn more about Northwoods!
Visit the Dates & Rates page on our website to find out which weeks these programs are offered as well as pricing.