Urban Boatbuilders is a St. Paul-based nonprofit which teaches young people how to make canoes and other watercraft – and teaches them valuable vocational and leadership skills at the same time.

The organization took some of its apprentices on a three-day canoe trip down the St. Croix River in early October. Here are some of the kids’ reactions. Republished with permission.

I had very much fun getting to go camping, sitting next to the camp fire. Man, it was cold.
–Anonymous

I had fun. It was cold. I haven’t been camping in the cold before. It was a great experience and I would do it again any time. I went there with great people and seen some beautiful things.
–Anthony

It was a pretty long drive here. I fell asleep the entire way here. I found out putting up a tent isn’t as hard as I thought…I’m learning how to be away from the cities and big buildings have been replaced by tall, autumn turned-out trees. I sometimes can’t help but feel detached from humanity even if it’s only for a few days…Just the thoughts of canoeing on new unexplored waters is to die for.
– Bri 🙂

I had a great time camping out with them. Sitting around the camp fire on a cold day was great, everyone was having fun and joking around. Canoeing was great and exhausting. My arm was killing me, but I still had a good time. I enjoy canoeing and looking at nature and seeing nice houses…I was amazed how in the morning the river was fogging and looks like a scene from Jason vs. Freddy Kruger. Canoeing in the fog was cool.
–Danny

To me the best moment was canoeing in fog. The worst moment was sleeping in the cold. I love the trip a lot.
–Patrick

Today was a good day, finally back from the camp trip and the thing I like most was just canoeing from Minnesota to Wisconsin. Also canoeing with fog everywhere. The thing I liked least about the trip was being cold at night and also we didn’t get to take a shower. But I got used to it. In conclusion, today was good and I have some good stories in my memories that I will never forget.
–Darrius