History

1971

Les Voyageurs was founded in 1971 under the name Les Canot des Amis. The crews consisted of 8 boys and the founder, Fred Rupp. The trips were 15 days and took place in Ontario’s Quetico Provincial Park. In these early years there were up to 4 crews per summer.

1973

The trip locations began to change from the Quetico to remote areas of central Manitoba and Ontario.

1977

The length of the trips was changed to 1 month.

1981

Was a pivotal year in our history:

1. The name was changed to Les Voyageurs
2. The program was incorporated as a non-profit, tax exempt (501c.3) organization.
3. The first girls crews were added to the program.
4. For the first time crews were guided by past participants
5. Six crews hit the trail

1987

The inaugural Far North trip saw a crew travel the Hayes River to end at York Factory on Hudson Bay. The years that followed have found Voyageur crews on the Seal River, Middle Track Route, the Kazan River, the Thelon River, and Coppermine River.

2004

Les Voyageurs moved into its new home on the Mississippi River. Voyageur “Base Camp” is a spacious building on Pine Point. It contains meeting, work, and storage spaces along easy access to the Mississippi River.