2024 Wilderness Canoe Trip Opportunities
If you have never been vulnerable with others and long to do so,
If you are struggling with questions and fears,
If you long for a deeper connection with God,
If you want to laugh, sing, play, and explore,
If you want to grow in leadership skills…
Go on a wilderness trip!
“Even though I enjoy hiking and canoeing, going on a wilderness trip like this was definitely out of my comfort zone, but it turned out to be such a good experience for me! Stepping aside from the normal busyness and distractions of life, personal development was facilitated through learning many practical skills and I was challenged in spiritual growth by the devotionals and initiatives the leaders shared. I would certainly encourage you to consider experiencing such a trip for yourself!”
~Stacy Canoe Trip 2023
“Hello to everyone who is reading this brochure! If you are debating what you should do to fill up your summer vacation, I wish I could convince you to go on a canoe trip, a Chadash Ministries’ canoe trip in particular:-) It is absolutely filled with fun and adventures and serious campfire talks. As for me, I kind of signed up without knowing what I was getting myself into. I knew none of the people and I was scared to death and almost backed out of it. Well, my dad wasn’t so easily persuaded by doubts of the canoe trip. He had heard that there was no cell service and we were to live off grid and that was enough for him. He was sure I would love it. Yes, the first minute I met my canoe-mates, I was terrified. But by the time we’d weathered two-foot waves, tornado warnings, camp floodings, and life stories together, we’d formed an inseparable bond. Even though it’s been a couple years since I went, every time I see one of those friends, I know I would do anything for them. I know that sounds cliché, but it’s true.
I went on this trip at a point in my life where I didn’t really trust any people around me, including my parents. I dealt with intense rejection . Out on that water, and especially on solo day, it was just me, God, and nature. And when social media and negativity is stripped from you, God is able to work at your heart wounds. I will always remember it as a time when I started trusting people around me again, not because they are perfect but because we are all loved and forgiven by the same Creator.
Random memories from the trip are canoe races, poison ivy and mosquito rashes, the worst birthday cake in history, more sand shaking out of our beds and clothes than I ever thought was possible, washing our hair with dish soap in the river (nobody caring how ugly we looked until we saw the first mirror in a long time), and the release of swimming in the dark after some intense life stories. My favorite memory by far is standing up in our canoes and singing our trip theme song when we got to the place where the Wisconsin River joins the Mississippi. I know God knew what He was doing when He brought us eight girls and our two camp leaders together.” ~Darla