Unsettled: Boundary Waters Canoe Camping

Unsettled: Boundary Waters is a wilderness-based canoe and camping trip in northern Minnesota for adventurous professionals who are looking to escape their routine and get (way) out of the office. 

You will need a base level of fitness to join this trip. For example, if you can hike for 3+ hours out on a mountain trail at a moderate pace, you're in the right place. You need to have some paddling experience - just to be confident that you're not going to flip out (literally) of the boat every time you paddle. You'll paddle your canoe with one other Unsettler. The trip is fully guided, and a good mix between a supported aveneture and self-sufficiency. 

Most people on an Unsettled retreat are mid-career professionals with vast interests. Our average age of participants is mid-30s to mid-50s. We are a diverse community by profession, ethnicity, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, and more. The clear expectation is that everyone who joins is respectful of differences of diversity. We will not tolerate any form of prejudice or aggression towards individuals. This is a vacation for everyone after all, and everyone deserves adventure, growth, and connection in their lives! 

We've hosted CEOs and entrepreneurs, artists and designers, and people who are active, even experts, in everything from transcendental meditation to CrossFit, from Bikram yoga to kiteboarding, and from diving to flying. On any given day, however, most of us are content hanging out with each other, exploring new places, and trying new things.

Since thinking big about our work and careers is one of the organizing principles of Unsettled, many participants are high achievers who organize major conferences, run businesses, or are recognized experts in their field. We have a lot of designers, developers, entrepreneurs, and startup enthusiasts on our trips.

We pull into our secluded coves each afternoon in time to set up camp, build a fire, go fishing, take a plunge, etc. You'll pitch your tent each evening, lay out your gear, and help with camp chores like building a fire and preparing dinner.

We will debrief, look at our route for the next day, and sit back and enjoy it all.

You'll eat a warm meal and before long, zip up into your tents for a good night's rest. Tents are shared, with 2 participants per tent, and we all camp immediately near the other tents in our group. 

As soon as you pay your deposit or first payment, your spot for the trip is secured. Deposits are typically 25% of the trip costs. This deposit/first payment remains refundable for 10 days following your payment, subject to a $100 administrative fee. There are no refunds after that. Should you need to transfer your payment to another trip, you can do so up to 45 days before the start date of your trip, also incurring a $100 administrative fee. Please note that there are no transfers available if there are fewer than 45 days remaining before your trip’s start date. 

We typically canoe 3 - 4 hours per day. 

There are plenty of times and places to take a break.

You should be in good shape and ready for an adventure on this trip. 

A full packing list is provided 2 months before the trip. 

For starters, recommend you bring your own sleeping bag (rated to 20 to 40 degrees F. A sturdy pair of sandals or water shoes designed for water sports. Quick dry, full sleeves/pants active clothing/outerwear. There's a lot more on the list, but this gets you started. 

Nope. 

This is a wilderness adventure, and so we cannot control every element. However, by late August, the mosquitos are to a minimum. Bears, wolves, and other animals live in this wilderness area but do not pose a threat to large groups like ours. 

This trip is capped at a maximum of 9 people.

Unsettled is a community for those who refuse to settle in their pursuit of growth, meaning, and adventure. We bring together creatives, entrepreneurs, artists, freelancers, and the intellectually curious who seek to replace routine with adventure. You will share the adventure of a lifetime alongside a curated group of peers who hold a wealth of experience far deeper than just their careers, and join a growing community of Unsettled alumni spread out over 80 countries around the world.

At Unsettled, our community thrives on diverse perspectives, backgrounds, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and identities. We extend an invitation to all who embrace these values of respect and inclusivity of others. Our community is built on a foundation of mutual respect, where everyone is encouraged to engage in open dialogue and foster understanding. If you're like us, you seek out diversity and want to learn, experience, and grow from it. Welcome home.