ADVENTURE TRIPS

Welcome to Edwards Tripping

          Edwards YMCA Camp provides the opportunity for the adventurous camper to choose to spend their summer camp experience on one or all of the three trips we currently offer.  Why trips?  We feel that it is our responsibility to help your child reconnect with nature and provide an opportunity for personal growth.  Although our campers receive many benefits while participating in our in-camp program, an adventure trip provides new and exciting challenges for the campers to overcome.  It provides a feeling of accomplishment, independence, and adventure.  Although not nearly on the same scale, imagine how Lewis and Clark felt exploring the Missouri River; a vast expanse of the unknown and the excitement of the journey. 

   “The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man.”

  -Author Unknown-

  Mountain Biking

Ages 13-16 (must supply your own mountain bike)     This trip is being offered for those off-road adventurers.  The Camp Edwards staff will escort campers to enjoy three separate trail systems measuring 46 total miles through the scenery of Wisconsin. The trip begins at camp as we go over basic bike maintenance, skill assessment and trip preparation.  Campers will be driven to the Devil’s Lake trailhead for their first leg of the trip; a 6 mile off-road ride.  While at Devil’s Lake, the campers will also partake in hiking and swimming.  The following day, campers will be driven to the Elroy-Sparta trailhead where they will camp.  Beginning the next morning, they will head out on their longest leg of the trip; a 30 mile ride on paved and gravel trails ending in Sparta Wisconsin. The final leg of the journey will take them to Black River Falls to enjoy an off-road experience on the 10 miles of mountain biking trails.  Camp Edwards’ staff will lead the trip and an emergency vehicle will stay with the campers at all times.  Cell phones are mandatory for the staff to carry and all Edwards Staff are trained and certified in CPR/First Aid and Waterfront Lifeguarding for the swimming activities. You are responsible for your own well functioning mountain bike, helmet, backpack and water bottle.  Camp will take care of the rest.  Please call if you have any other questions.

Devil's Lake Rock Climbing Trip

Ages 12-16  High above the ground, a Camp Edwards camper’s fingertips grip on a small rock ledge.   Below him, his fellow campers cheer on his progress.  He brings his right foot up and secures a nice purchase on the rock face, allowing him to reach one last time to feel the success of the climb.  Someone yells from the bottom, “Let go of the rock and sit back!  I’ve got you!”  The trained rock climbing guide slowly lowers the camper to the ground where all his friends wait to pat him on his back and say, “Great job.  That was awesome!”  Your camper can experience this opportunity by signing up for our Devil’s Lake Rock Climbing trip.  All campers will learn basics of rock climbing on Camp Edwards’ climbing wall before they pack up and head to Devil’s Lake State Park.  At Devil’s Lake, the camper will enjoy a true outdoor experience.  Camping in a tent, cooking over fires, swimming, and three full days of rock climbing mark their outdoor adventure.  Adventure Rock outfitters will supply the equipment and experience necessary for a safe and fun trip.  The camp staff is responsible for all other aspects of the trip.  From lifeguarding swim times to supervising outdoor activities, and through traditional camp devotions and vespers, we intend to weave the benefits of a traditional camp experience into the woods and provide your camper a memorable time.  The campers will return to camp in time to participate in the Honors program on the Friday before camp ends.   There is limited space for this trip and a minimum of four campers must sign up to allow us to offer this opportunity.    All staff is at least 21 years of age.  Camp Edwards’ staff will lead the trip and an emergency vehicle will stay with the campers at all times.  Cell phones are mandatory for the staff to carry and all Edwards Staff are trained and certified in CPR/First Aid and Waterfront Lifeguarding for the swimming activities.

Brule and Peshtigo River Trip

Ages 13-16  Scenic river ways, challenging rapids, and carefree summer time camping awaits your camper in this 20 mile canoe and rafting trip.  Your camper, supervised by our well trained Camp Edwards staff, will spend a week of fun on the water.  Learning canoe basics, low impact camping, and river navigation will begin their trip at Camp Edwards.  Then it is off to the great white north.  Campers and staff will travel to Florence, WI where they will camp at a local state park before setting afloat for their first 10 mile run down the Brule River.  The Brule is a great river to test their skills and learn more about canoeing and navigation.  The scenery is breathtaking and the air is fresh, far away from the hustle and bustle of the cities.  After their first ten miles, the campers will camp on the river and enjoy a true “back to basics” experience cooking over a fire and camping near the river.  The next morning they will set off for their final 10 mile stretch down the Brule where they will experience slightly more challenging waters, but nothing like what they will encounter on the Peshtigo.  After their second day on the Brule, the campers will then head to Crivitz, WI where Kosir’s outfitters will provide the rafts and a certified river guide to usher the campers down the class I, II, and III rapids the Peshtigo provides.  This is a shorter river run that will allow the kids to have a blast but also get back to camp in time for the honors ceremony.   There is limited space for this trip and a minimum of four campers must sign up to allow us to offer this opportunity.    All staff is at least 21 years of age.  Camp Edwards’ staff will lead the trip and an emergency vehicle will stay with the campers at all times.  Cell phones are mandatory for the staff to carry and all Edwards Staff are trained and certified in CPR/First Aid and Waterfront Lifeguarding for the swimming activities.

   Please visit Dates & Prices for more information.  Please visit Forms if you would like to register or download forms.