EVERY AUGUST…
We travel to the tip of the MN arrowhead, to the end of the Gunflint Trail, and a 2-mile boat/canoe across the Seagull river to take over Birchwood Wilderness Camp on the edge of the BWCA.
Adventure Awaits
A Yoga Retreat for the {aspiring} Outdoor Enthusiast
Session 1: August 8-11, 2024
Session 2: August 11-14, 2024
Hop in a canoe, and find your self set in the tranquility of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Imagine sitting on your yoga mat and looking out into Northern Minnesota's most tranquil landscape. The beauty of the untouched land is unparalleled. The peace is unimaginable.
We sync up with the pace of nature. With less distractions, we are able to tune into our progress and personal growth.
We progress on a mental, physical, and spiritual level. Surrounded by not only Mother Nature herself, but with other inspiring, like-minded women setting out to begin or deepen their yoga journey.
This yoga retreat is open to all-levels of yoga practitioners. Come with an open heart and adventurous spirit!
Birchwood Wilderness Camp
End of the Gunflint Trail
North of Grand Marais, MN
on the edge of the boundary waters canoe area wilderness
“No frills…all thrills!”
A rustic retreat for the adventurous wanderer.
If you consider running water (hot showers!), a bunkhouse to sleep in, and homemade meals fancy…you will be thoroughly spoiled at this retreat.
What’s Included
3 Nights, 4 Days Lodging | Yoga | Workshops | Meditation | Journaling | Meals (V, GF, DF options) | BWCA Day Trip + Gear | Hiking | Canoeing | Rock Climbing | Campfire | Swimming | Time for Relaxation | Wildlife | Adventure
Arrivals + Departures
Please arrive by 3:30pm (sharp) on your first day - we all meet together at the boat landing at the end of the Gunflint Trail.
Departures begin at roughly 10:30am on the last day.
Location
Journey with us way up north- to the tip of the arrowhead. Our destination is at the end of the historic Gunflint Trail, and a 2 mile boat/canoe ride up the Seagull River. Birchwood Wilderness Camp is located at the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Packing
We will provide you with a detailed packing list. Packing as light as possible will be important, that being said we also have a barge that we can put our bags etc on. The barge’s name is Barracuda!
Opt Outside
Four days and three nights of simplicity. We will spend much of our time outside, rain or shine. And yes, there will likely be bugs! August in Minnesota can certainly be interesting. Sometimes we get lucky with zero bugs and perfect weather, but we cannot guarantee that of course. Rain gear, and bug spray are items included on the detailed packing list to registered attendees.
Lodging
The camp provides basic bunkhouse accommodations - rustic, one step up from tent camping. We will be sleeping in bunk houses without electricity. The windows to the bunk houses are screens. Guests will sleep on the bottom bunks.
There are 7 bunk houses in total: 6 of them have four beds and one of them has six beds. You bring your own bedding - a sleeping bag and pillow will suffice. You are provided a clean fitted sheet on your twin-sized bed.
After a long, fulfilling day of outdoor adventure that little bunk bed will feel like a heavenly cloud.
Ammenities
The shower house, including sinks, toilets, and showers are located in a separate building, a short walk from the cabins. Yes - there is running water and hot amazing showers!
During free time, take advantage of the serene waterfront, secluded hiking, wood-fired sauna, GIANT WATERSLIDE, river swing, and more. Woohoo!!
The dining hall has electricity and Wi-Fi. There is drinking water to fill water bottles.
Meals
We will eat all of our meals in the dining hall, except for the day trip into the BWCA where a bag lunch is prepared for you to bring along. Birchwood Wilderness Camp staff do an outstanding job preparing our meals. They also wash our dishes - THANK YOU! Accommodations for dietary restrictions and allergies are well cared for (i.e. V, GF, DF etc.)
Yoga Classes
Our yoga classes will take place in the great outdoors, on the gorgeous custom yoga deck overlooking the BWCA boreal forest treetops. In case of inclement weather, we will move to an indoor space overlooking the Seagull River.
The setting will provide opportunity for deep introspection, as well as connection amongst our intimate little community for the retreat.
Every yoga class will be suitable for all levels: beginner to experienced.
BWCA Day Trips
A highlight of our Adventure Awaits retreats is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness day trips. With our retreat location on the edge of the BWCA - access to Minnesota’s pristine wilderness has never been easier!
While in the Boundary Waters, we will canoe, practice mindfulness, explore, breathe, and soak it all in.
All day trip gear will be provided such as: canoe, paddles, lifejackets, BWCA permit, and lunch. Bring your own water bottle. We have refill options for filtered BWCA water and/or iodine treatment.
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Romance Lake
Hike from Birchwood Wilderness Camp property to a secluded Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness lake where your canoes await you. With no public access to these pristine waters, you are sure to experience quiet, serenity, and breath-taking beauty. We enjoy lunch on a big rock in the peace and quiet of the wilderness. Swimming and cliff jumping during lunch are our favorite activities here.
This trip is recommended for our beginner paddlers. It’s also highly enjoyable for intermediate to experienced paddlers.
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Seagull Lake
Paddle from Birchwood Wilderness Camp into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on Seagull Lake.
Paddle past BWCA campsites, take in the beauty of the islands and cliffs. Enjoy breathtaking views from the Little Palisades. We park our canoes, hike up the Little Palisades, and enjoy lunch with a stellar view that goes on for miles.
This trip is recommended for our intermediate to experienced paddlers.
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Saganaga Lake
Paddle from Birchwood Wilderness Camp, through a picturesque BWCA channel to Lake Saganaga.
Expansive views of Saganaga boasts beautiful cliffsides, island campsites, and miles of open water.
Scope out a swimming and cliff jumping site. Enjoy lunch at a serene and peaceful BWCA campsite.
This trip is recommended for our intermediate to experienced paddlers.
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Overnight Saganaga Lake
New option for returning retreaters! Adventure Awaits Alum are able to apply for the opportunity to enjoy a BWCA overnight experience.
Paddle into Sag with your small group and leader on day 2 of the retreat. Depart early in the morning, enjoy a paddle to scope out a campsite. Help set-up camp, build a cooking fire, prepare meals, swim, relax, hike, and enjoy peace in the BWCA. Enjoy a night out in the wilderness. Practice and gain new skills. Build confidence in your abilities. Paddle back to Birchwood the following day (day 3), just in time for dinner and a campfire.
Meet the Team
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Bryana Cook
Retreat Leader, Yoga Teacher, Wilderness Canoe Guide, Wilderness First Aid + CPR Certified
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Stacy Nightwine
Retreat Leader, Yoga Teacher
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Nora Woodworth
Wilderness Canoe Guide, Outdoor Educator, Yoga Teacher, Wilderness First Aid + CPR Certified
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Jessica Wiens
Wilderness Canoe Guide, Group Leader, Wilderness First Aid + CPR Certified
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Shannon McGrath
Wilderness Canoe Guide, Group Leader, Wilderness First Aid + CPR Certified
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Jessica Baumhofer Frank
Yoga Teacher, Group Leader
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Elizabeth Sorensen
Yoga Teacher, Group Leader, Wilderness First Aid + CPR Certified
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Penny aka Ashley Bredemus
Retreat Host, Birchwood Wilderness Camp Owner, Photographer, Wilderness First Aid + CPR Certified
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Alison Olson Cox
Thai Yoga Bodyworker
FAQs
Are there prerequisites?
You do not need prior yoga/canoeing experience to attend. An open mind and willingness to learn will be important. You do need to have the physical ability to sit in a canoe and/or on hard surfaces on the ground outside.
We will be spending all of our days outside rain or shine. Plan on bug bites (mosquitoes, flies, etc.) and dirt. Count on memories that last a lifetime! This will require a flexible attitude, and the strength and stamina to enjoy it!
Is there cell service?
There is no cell service on the Gunflint Trail or in the BWCA.
We send detailed directions and instructions to registered guests prior to the retreat.
While at Birchwood Wilderness Camp, there is Wi-Fi and electricity in the dining hall only. You can make calls/text via Wi-Fi if your phone has that capability. You can charge your phone in the dining hall. There is also a landline phone to use onsite and we provide you with the number for your family to use.
Do people attend solo?
Yes! Frequently. We always have a healthy number of solo retreaters.
The best part about this is - no one to worry about but yourself! The other great thing? Meeting really amazing women that also love getting outside!
Where do we sleep?
Bunkhouses. There are twin-sized bunkbeds. We have our guests sleeping on the bottom bed only. We room 3-4 people per bunkhouse. No private/semi-private options available. A friendly group experience for all!
Is there running water?
Yes! Birchwood Wilderness Camp has running water. Hot showers, flushing toilets, and drinking water for you. Spoiled in the wilderness!
How do we get to Birchwood?
You drive to the very end of the Gunflint Trail (about an hour northeast of Grand Marais). Park your car at the boat landing on the Seagull River and lug your stuff to the handcrafted barge name Barracuda. You can ride on the barge or canoe the two miles down the Seagull River to Birchwood Wilderness Camp. We travel as a group.
Adventure Awaits
Session 1
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Two sessions to choose from!
Session 1: August 8-11, 2024
Session 2: August 11-14, 2024
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At the end of the Gunflint Trail, on the edge of the BWCAW. An exclusive summer camp we get the joy of overtaking every August.
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waitlist link available after clicking registration button below
Session 2
-
Two sessions to choose from!
Session 1: August 8-11, 2024
Session 2: August 11-14, 2024
-
At the end of the Gunflint Trail, on the edge of the BWCAW. An exclusive summer camp we get the joy of overtaking every August.
-
waitlist link available after clicking registration button below
Registration
Session 1: August 8-11, 2024
Session 2: August 11-14, 2024
Investment: $800 per person
Important Information
CANCELLATION POLICY
We hope that you can appreciate the amount of time, love, and energy we wholeheartedly put into each retreat. Not just during the event, but the many months leading up to it.
Prior to 8 weeks: $80 fee
4-8 weeks notice: $150 fee
4 weeks and less notice: 75% of total amount fee
14 days or less notice: no refunds available
BIPOC SCHOLARSHIPS
As part of our ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion in the yoga space, we are offering scholarships to Black, Indigenous, people of color at our summer yoga retreats. Please fill out a BIPOC scholarship application here. Thank you!
Read more about our Boreal Bliss Scholarship Foundation here.
EMAILS
Email is how we communicate important info to you. Approximately 6-8 weeks prior to the weekend, we send you emails with important information regarding your weekend retreat including packing list, itinerary, FAQ, pre-retreat survey with roommate requests, dietary needs, and more. Your timely response is important for our planning process. Thank you!
