You don’t need any experience in the backcountry or camping to be involved in a Backcountry Sojourners (BCS) expedition.  We will outfit the group with many of the essential items needed for a safe and successful trip such as tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, backpacks, canoes, life jackets, etc.  A personal packing list will be available so items can be obtained beforehand.  Plus, we will be helping you learn the ropes along the way.  If you are a seasoned veteran of the wilderness, you can help others along with us!

We provide the trip plan, logistics, leadership, and gear such as tents, sleeping bags, pads, backpacks, watercraft, food, etc.  Participants will need to bring clothes, footwear, and other miscellaneous items such as a headlamp, sunglasses, or a pocket knife.  See the gear list for the different types of trips.

The registration fee is simply a fee paid in good faith along with an application submission.  An expedition fee covers all of the costs necessary to attend an expedition (e.g. backcountry permits, transportation from the departure site, gear rental fees, food, etc).  You will be responsible for any necessary travel costs to the appointed group departure site for a given trip.

Yes.  Trips do vary in their physical demands ranging from minimal to quite strenuous.  You can refer to the specific expedition you are interested in and there will be a fitness description provided (fitness difficulty rating).  We will provide participants with general fitness metrics and plans leading up to departure.  Even though the expeditions do vary in physical demands, weather conditions can impact these requirements. Feel free to reach out for more detailed questions.

Expeditions are centered around remote wilderness areas with minimal urban or human influence.  Canoeing, backpacking, and winter camping are the main types of expeditions, but locations do vary from year to year.  A canoe or paddling trip consists of traveling distances in a canoe and portaging from lake to lake while setting up camp along the way. Backpacking consists of traveling distances by foot with one’s gear on their back while setting up camp at a different location most evenings.  Winter camping involves traveling via snowshoes, transporting one’s gear using a backpack or pulk sled, and setting up a permanent camp allowing for day hikes and other activities. 

Canoe expeditions are mainly located in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) in northern Minnesota or the Quetico (provincial park in Ontario on the Canada/Minnesota border).  Backpacking trips vary from the Rockies to Isle Royale in Lake Superior.  Winter Camping is usually in northern Minnesota.

Yes. We have two types of adventures – open and closed.  Open trips are for any individual who has an interest in one of our specific trips in the context of our mission.  Closed trips are ones that either we plan for a particular group or will host for a group that approaches us with an idea. 

After registration, the participant will receive an orientation document that will include details pertaining to their expedition and a packing/gear list.  Updates will be provided depending upon weather, environmental changes, and any other factors that could influence an expedition.

BCS will meet with each participant before an expedition either individually or as a group via the web or in-person depending on one’s location.  This will allow for other questions, clarification of gear list items, physical preparation, and hopefully to help ease any apprehension that exists. 

Due to ethical standards and safety concerns, alcohol, recreational drugs, illegal drugs and/or smoking ARE NOT PERMITTED.

Expedition registration is open until filled up until 1 month before an expedition (except by special permission from BCS). Registration will be open approximately 3-4 months before the departure date. For most trips, there will be an “early bird” registration window with a discounted expedition fee.  On some of the more strenuous trips, one may receive a phone call to ensure that the physical demands can be met.  The number of participants is naturally limited by permit quotas and gear availability. 

Every expedition is outfitted with a first aid kit, a trip leader certified in basic life support, and a satellite communicator that is connected to emergency services.   Granted, even though safety is always taken seriously, there are inherent risks of travelling and staying in the backcountry.

$100 is due at time of registration and will be applied toward the total expedition cost.  This will be a deposit to hold your spot.  The balance for the expedition is due two weeks prior to expedition departure.  If you want to request special accommodations for payment, please contact BCS.

Cancellation and Refund Policy:  The $100 deposit is non-refundable.  The full balance is due two weeks before the expedition departure date.  If you cancel within 2 weeks of the trip start date, you will forfeit the entire expedition fee.  Some expeditions will require an earlier deadline for cancellation and will be stated on the individual expedition page.  Transfers can only be approved and issued by the BCS board. If for any reason BCS cancels an expedition, a full refund will be issued.  If the dates of an expedition need to be changed, considerations will be taken regarding refunds or transfers. Expeditions are impacted by weather and other environmental factors, and this can influence departure and return times/dates.  If you have any questions regarding our policies, please call or complete the contact form.

Transfer Policy:  All transfers from one BCS expedition to another are subject to the same conditions as the “Cancellation and Refund Policy”.  After registering for an expedition, you may transfer that specific expedition one time only. Transfers can only be approved and issued by the BCS board.

Medical Necessity or Emergency:  In the event of a medical need and upon receipt of a written statement from a doctor attesting to one’s inability to participate in the expedition they registered for, BCS will refund the entire expedition fee minus the $100 deposit.

All refunds will be issued within 10-14 business days of the documented request. Documented requests can be received in writing or in email.