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Answers to all your questions about Qajaq Camp weekend.

No planning, no problem.

Qajaq Camp is an all-inclusive event which means all you have to do is sign up, show up, and have fun!

Click the headings to learn more.

Click headings below to see what’s included with your registration:

  • Minnesota has a great collection of local and traditional paddling skills mentors. At Qajaq Camp we offer you access to the best of the best — rolling, strokes, harpoon throwing, ropes, and yoga are all staffed by our volunteer mentors. We also believe that everyone is constantly learning and everyone has something to teach. If there is a skill you would like to share, please contact us to discuss.

  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided, apart from the Potluck Dinner (check schedule for which day), as well as coffee, tea and water. We do our best to accommodate food allergies and preferences: vegetarian, vegan, gluten free etc. Please provide us with your dietary needs during registration.

    Please remember to bring an item or two for the potluck dinner. Camp members have exclusive access to kitchen facilities all weekend including freezer/refrigeration, stoves, ovens, and sinks.

  • Hok Si La offers great camping on the clifftops above Lake Pepin. We have two large group camp sites reserved and these costs are included in registration. Temperatures range widely from 30° – 90°F! so please plan and bring your equipment accordingly.

    There are showers (coin operated, bring a fistful of quarters), and plenty of places to set up drying lines.

    The park requires that you bring your car into the park only twice – once to drop off your equipment and once to collect it at the end. There is ample convenient parking where you can leave your vehicle during the event. . (Please note that sleeping inside of vehicles in the parking lot is not permitted by Hok Si La).

    And - you are camping, in the outdoors … that comes with sunshine and bugs. Please bring sunscreen, bug spray and check regularly for ticks.

  • Qajaq Camp is not just about learning afloat, we also do our best to educate, embrace and enjoy the full culture of Greenland. With talks on many relevant subjects, film screenings, trip reports, arts projects, (sometimes special recipes!) and even a qajaq/kayak building event.

  • There are usually a couple of opportunities to take group paddles during camp as well as a chance to watch and discuss numerous trip presentations. These are great opportunities to discover places to paddle and meet like-minded people to plan adventures with.

    Qajaq Camp is as much about building a community as it is about building skills. We look forward to welcoming you into our community.

 

Camp Location

Qajaq Camp is held just south-east of Minneapolis and Saint Paul in Hok-Si-La Regional Park and Campground on the shore of Lake Pepin.

Exclusive Qajaq Camp member access to group campsites and a large dining hall for communal meals and activities.

The cost of the tent camping is included in the event registration fees. Please note that this location cannot accommodate campers or teardrop trailers, and sleeping inside of vehicles in the parking lot is not allowed

There are two shower houses at the campground. The showers are hot and require quarters for use.

The on-water activities occur on Lake Pepin using the sandy beaches at the park. You can get additional maps and information about Hok-Si-La Regional Park and Campground on their website.

Qajaq build competition

Camp Itinerary

2025 Updates coming soon!

  • 3:00p Camp open

    3:00p Mentor training

    3:30p Informal on water training

    4:00p Group paddle

    6:00p Dinner

    7:00p Team activity – flags

  • 6:30a Coffee

    7:15a Yoga

    8:00a Breakfast

    9:30a On water training

    12:00p Lunch

    1:30p On water training

    4:00p Qajaq Build

    6:15p Appetizers and dinner prep

    6:45p POT LUCK Dinner

    7:45p Evening activity

  • 6:30a Coffee

    7:15a Yoga

    8:00a Breakfast

    9:15a Kayak Race

    10:00a On water training

    12:00p Lunch

    12:00p Silent Auction open!

    1:30p On water training

    3:30p Rolling & Harpoon Competition

    6:00p Indian Dinner

    7:00p Prize giving + Talk

    7:30p Silent Auction Closes

    8:00p Pay up!

    8:30p Bonfire

  • 6:30a Coffee

    7:15a Yoga

    8:00a Breakfast

    8:30a Pay for silent auction items

    9:30a On water training

    12:00p Lunch

    1:00p Camp to be vacated

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

  • This is a tent camping event. You need to supply your own tent and sleeping equipment. Your registration fee includes the cost of the tent site for the event.

    Being early in the season the weather is very unpredictable. We have experienced everything from warm sunny days to cold torrential rain. There are ample flat camping sites to accommodate everyone.

    Restrooms are provided at the campground, and there is fresh (drinkable) running water available.

    There is a large dining hall in the center of the camp which we use for meals and activities.

    There is a large fire pit and firewood provided for the evenings.

    Note: You are only allowed to drive your car twice into camp; once to unload, and once to pick up your gear and leave. The kayaks will remain near the beach overnight.

    (If you've turned your car into your camper, Hok Si La wants you to know that sleeping inside of vehicles isn't allowed under their permit).

  • There are two modern shower / bath house facilities on the campground. Showers are nice and toasty and require quarters for use.

  • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are provided, with the exception of Friday dinner which is a potluck – please bring an item to share with the other attendees.

    Please contact Qajaq Camp to discuss suitable food.

    Cutlery and crockery is provided for meals. Please bring your own cup/mug.

  • The water will be cold, and you should expect to get wet, especially if you plan to participate in rolling training.

    Dry-suits or thick wet-suits are recommended.

    PFD’s are required.

    Neoprene or similar headgear is recommended.

    Nose plugs and ear plugs are advisable.

    Obviously, bring a kayak and paddle… ;)

    Bring a Yoga mat for the morning sessions.

    Please bring an item or two for the Silent Auction - the auction helps us cover the costs of the event each year.

    Snacks to share during happy hour are always appreciated

    Any beverages you want beyond coffee, tea, and water.

    Please bring a refillable water bottle for your personal use.

    And - you are camping, in the outdoors.. that comes with sunshine and bugs. Please bring sunscreen, bug spray and check regularly for ticks.

  • None – we welcome everyone from absolute beginners to seasoned veteran paddlers, everyone has something to learn and something to share.

Click headings below to see each FAQ:

Cancellation Policy

Qajaq Camp reservations are non-refundable and non-transferable.

If you have a reservation and you find you are unable to attend camp please contact us via email info.qajaqcamp@gmail.com to discuss options. This is necessary due to prepayment for the camp site facilities, plus the insurance and camp entrance protocol requiring advanced notification of all attendee names. Thank you.

Youth Scholarships

Qajaq Camp is pleased to offer a Youth Scholarship this year! The purpose of our scholarship program is to encourage young people to get involved in Greenland-style kayaking and to learn about Greenland qajaq culture. The scholarship covers 50% of the cost of registration. Any participant under age 18 needs to attend with a responsible adult. The responsible adult need not be the parent or guardian of the youth. To be eligible, applicants must be 13-17 years old and be able to function independently of the adult with whom they are attending.

To apply for a youth scholarship, the responsible adult attending with the youth or the parent/guardian of the youth must have attended Qajaq Camp in the past five years. This process ensures that the parent/guardian and the youth understand the nature of the camp enough to judge accurately whether the youth is a good fit for the opportunity.

Qajaq Camp is an adult event. Alcohol is present, conversation and activities are geared towards adults, and the occasional cuss word pops out. Most mature teenagers integrate well with adult attendees.

Please submit a one-paragraph letter expressing your interest in the event to info.qajaqcamp@gmail.com, and we will reply with the formal scholarship application.

Completed applications will be due by Feb 28th of the desired year of attendance, and recipients will be notified by the beginning of April.