Often our classes are designed for canoes or sea kayaks exclusively and sometimes either one will work just fine. On some trips, a shorter or recreational kayak would also be adequate. Please note the suggested boat abbreviations under each class description. If you still have questions, please feel free to ask.
C = Canoes Only
SK = Sea Kayak (16-18 foot)
RK = Recreational or Shorter Kayak (12-14 foot)
S4 C
U.P. streams are small and swift; draining steep terrain so we can't wait very long after the
snow melts to catch them with adequate paddling water. These streams will keep you busy
learning paddling, safety and rescue skills. Attention to detail is paramount since streams are
remote, often run through gorges, and rapids vary from boulder bed "rock gardens" to ledges. We will meet in Watersmeet, MI the first morning and, depending on conditions, instructors and students will decide as a group on a river to run each day. River difficulty will be Class II and III. 60-807-65209
Shane Tulowitzky/Ruth Jaeger
Friday - Sunday, May 11 - 13
9 AM - 4 PM each day
Class #60499 Fee: $115
Class #60500 Fee with canoe rental: $160
S4 C
The Bois Brule River has well-defined water patterns that encourage precision. This two-day teaching trip on Class I and II moving water includes a variety of instruction on basic skills, stopping when you want, avoiding rocks and reading water so you see it as your partner, not your adversary. We have a few runs to choose from in the general vicinity of Ashland and Brule. Water level, weather, and student skill will be determining factors. A favorite run leads to the river mouth at Lake Superior. River distances will range from 7-13 miles each day. The group will camp out or individuals can find nearby lodging if desired. 60-807-65200
Shane Tulowitzky/Ruth Jaeger
Saturday & Sunday, June 23 & 24
9 AM - 5 PM each day
Class #10082 Fee: $85
Class #10083 Fee with canoe rental: $115
S3 C
This underrated section of the Wisconsin River has no development and could easily be identified as a wilderness river. There is one Class I rapid along this route that is easily portaged. Participants should be comfortable paddling in moderate currents and maneuvering around rocks, especially if the water is low. 60-807-65200
Scott Bradley/Shane Tulowitzky/Ruth Jaeger
Tuesday, July 10
9 AM - 4 PM
Class #10084 Fee: $38
Class #10085 Fee with canoe rental: $48
S2 C, SK, RK
Spend a day on the water learning about loons from a researcher’s perspective. Jay’s research is in behavioral ecology and his specialty is looking at the mechanisms, both ecological and social, that loons use to select and defend breeding territories. We will travel slow and discuss much. 60-807-65200
Jay Mager/Dan Clausen
Friday, May 25
10 AM - 3 PM
Minocqua Area
Class #61012 Fee: $28
Class #61013 Fee with canoe rental: $38
S2 C, SK, RK
Explore Waswagoning, "a place where they spear fish by torch light." Join us for a multifaceted tour that will take you back in time. We’ll start with a paddle to Strawberry Island, where the last battle between the Sioux and Ojibwe was fought in 1745. We will transition into our journey through time with a walking tour of the George W. Brown, Jr. Museum, which offers top-notch exhibits dovetailing the old and new ways into a holistic picture of Ojibwe life and history. Following the museum tour, we will enjoy a traditional Ojibwe dinner with a guest speaker, Chairman/Elder Tom Maulson, who will talk about the land and what life was like years ago. Finally, we will walk to the pow-wow grounds and take part in the celebration of life, dancing to the rhythm of the drum, the heartbeat of the earth. Simple surroundings near the water's edge and traditional dance regalia accompany beautiful sunsets and gentle evening breezes. Old songs and dances float across the lakes, reminding us of the hundreds of years of continued Ojibwe presence. 60-807-65200
Rae Lundberg/Fred Maulson
Thursday, August 9
Noon - 9 PM
Class #10094 Fee: $65
Class #10095 Fee with canoe rental: $75
S2 C
Here’s a chance to paddle any one (or all three) sections of the Upper Wisconsin River. Each day we plan to be on the water for 3-4 hours, plus shuttle time. If water levels permit, the first day we’ll start at the headwaters and paddle five miles of narrow, twisty stream (which often has beaver dams and is best navigated with a short canoe or kayak). The second day we’ll go from Highway 45 to Rummels Road, an eight-mile stretch of mostly shallow stream with some small riffles. The third day will be a little more ambitious as we hope to paddle 10 miles of winding river from Rummels Road to River Road. Sign up for any one, two or all three days.
60-807-65200
Sandra Lotto/Joe Panci
Day 1: Friday, June 8
Noon - 4 PM
Class #10076 Fee: $24
Class #10077 Fee with canoe rental: $34
Day 2: Saturday, June 9
Noon - 5 PM
Class #10078 Fee: $26
Class #10079 Fee with canoe rental: $36
Day 3: Sunday, June 10
Noon - 6 PM
Class #10080 Fee: $28
Class #10081 Fee with canoe rental: $38
S3 C
“Rivers Less Traveled” Series with Paddlin’ Scott and Canada Bob
With its dam recently removed, this clean, hard-bottom trout habitat stream northeast of Eagle River is back in its natural state. On our river breaks and at lunch Scott and Bob will feature lively discussions about some of their journeys on some of Canada’s most remote river systems. 60-807-65200
Scott Bradley/Bob Knops
Thursday, July 12
9 AM - 4 PM
Class #10086 Fee: $30
Class #10087 Fee with canoe rental: $40
S3 C
This primary tributary of the St. Croix National Riverway offers outstanding paddling. Most of the Namekagon is undeveloped, offering the canoeist a genuine wilderness experience. We’ll depart on Thursday with enough time for meandering and guided tour of the Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum. This museum opened in 2010 and is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of historic canoes. After spending the night in a local motel we will depart early to canoe an 11-mile section of the Namekagon River. While there are no rapids in this section, participants should be comfortable paddling in a moderate current. Transportation, canoes and one night lodging is provided. 60-807-65200
Scott Bradley/Shane Tulowitzky/David Osborn
Thursday & Friday, July 26 & 27
Depart Rhinelander at 1 PM on Thursday, return Friday evening
Class #10089 Fee: $110 double occupancy
Class #10088 Fee: $150 single occupancy
S3 C, SK
The Wisconsin Chapter of the Nature Conservancy highly regards the natural value of Wabikon and Riley Lakes, located in south central Forest County. These lakes have approximately nine miles of undeveloped and protected shoreline. We will spend the day paddling and exploring this unique and diverse eco-system. 60-807-65200
Sandra Lotto/Scott Bradley
Friday, August 17
9 AM - 3 PM
Class #10096 Fee: $30
Class #10097 Fee with canoe rental: $40
S3 C, SK, RK
Starting in Manitowish Waters, we’ll canoe a predominantly quiet water stretch of the Manitowish River in the company of Bob Martini, retired Water Resources Management Specialist. With the exception of one short bit of boulder dodging, we’ll have a relaxing, leisurely float of about nine miles. Throughout the paddle, Bob will inform us on the history, hydrology, biology and politics surrounding the Rest Lake Dam, the Manitowish Chain of Lakes, and the reach of water downstream. 60-807-65200
Ruth Jaeger/Bob Knops/Bob Martini
Wednesday, August 29
9 AM - 4 PM
Class #20007 Fee: $35
Class #20008 Fee with canoe rental: $45
S2 C
The Ojibwa call it Ma-no’min; you know it as wild rice. This one-day course will introduce you to gathering and processing this wonderful Northwoods resource. Our harvest methods will not differ much from those traditionally used so the bulk of time will be spent in our canoes gathering rice. Enjoy a shore lunch that includes dishes made with wild rice and a discussion of different processing methods. Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission Warden, Fred Maulson, will join us for both events and provide the materials and instruction for you to make your own ricing sticks before we set out to gather. Students will need to purchase a Wisconsin DNR harvesting permit ($8.25 as of 1/12); one permit is needed per family. NOTE: Only Wisconsin residents may gather rice. 60-807-65200
Rae Lundberg/Fred Maulson
Saturday, September 8
8:30 AM - 2 PM
Class #20009 Fee: $32
Class #20010 Fee with canoerental: $42
Wil Losch/Rae Lundberg/Fred Maulson
Saturday, September 15
8:30 AM - 2 PM
Class #20011 Fee: $32
Class #20012 Fee with canoe rental: $42
S1
Ma-no’min, called "wild rice" outside the Ojibwe culture, has played a central role in tribal life. It is used in ceremonies and as a major food source. Traditionally, its harvest promoted social interaction in late summer each year. Gathering Ma-no’min and preparing it to the state in which you can eat it is a lengthy process with many steps. We’ll meet at the Nicolet Rhinelander Campus where you will be shown the four stages of finishing rice: drying, parching, hulling and winnowing. We will have rice already dried and ready to be finished so you can participate in the entire finishing process and learn first hand how to finish your own rice. This class is an excellent addition to Adventures in Wild Rice Gathering and Processing. 60-807-65802
Rae Lundberg/Fred Maulson
Saturday, September 15
5 PM - 8 PM
Class #20014 Fee: $18
Rhinelander Campus – Learning Resource Center
S4 C
Let us take care of some of the logistics of a full day of bicycling and canoeing in the color-splashed Northern Highland State Forest. Enjoy a bike tour covering approximately 20 miles on the Boulder Area Trail System and Northwoods back roads with a little time in Boulder Junction. After biking, we’ll have some canoes ready for a tour of an area lake. Last year participants in our "Pedal-Paddle" asked for more bike, less canoe; we’re responding to that request with this trip. Endurance for a sustained effort of several hours is required. This trip includes use of our canoes but you will need to bring your own bicycle. 60-807-65200
Ruth Jaeger/Shane Tulowitzky
Saturday, September 22
9 AM - 4 PM
Class #20013 Fee with canoe rental: $45