Camp Stories
Two crews. One river. Summer 2026 on the Lower Mississippi.
Girls Camp
Directed by Dr. Abe Hudson Jr. · Guided & outfitted by Quapaw Canoe Company
Based at Storm Creek Lake, Mississippi River State Park
The 2026 season opened with our girls crew. With a storm forecast pushing camp inland and many first-time paddlers on the younger side, the crew set up basecamp at Storm Creek Lake in Mississippi River State Park. Days ran to Buck Island and back — canoe safety, way-finding, and exploration through the Helena wetlands.
On Buck Island, a newly-hatched dragonfly became attached to one girl's finger, and rode all the way back to camp. She named her Hoja — Spanish for leaf.
Hoja was a slender skimmer dragonfly whose wings were still developing. She became a rock star back at camp. At Art Table everyone wanted to draw her.
Later that day, Hoja's wings fully developed. She flew off, to begin her life as an insect apex predator in the rich wetlands of the Lower Mississippi Valley.
— John Ruskey
The girls learned to cook over fire, met a professional ranger, walked the woods, and shared songs around the campfire. Thursday closed with awards, recognitions, and smiles on the drive home.
Read the full recap on Substack →Boys Camp
Directed by Dr. Abe Hudson Jr. · Guided & outfitted by Quapaw Canoe Company
Based at Storm Creek Lake, Mississippi River State Park
A week after the girls crew closed out, 15 boys arrived at Quapaw Canoe Company in Clarksdale. Same base at Storm Creek, same big canoes, same routine — paddle out, discover, return, campfire.
A baby catfish, released back into water. An art table under the pavilion. Water play at Storm Creek Lake. Everything comes together in a wholesome, safe, meaningful way.
— caption to a pen & ink drawing by a 2026 Canoe Camp boy
Thursday's awards ceremony closed the week. Paddles up to Dr. Abe Hudson Jr., to the Mississippi River State Park team — director Kristina Root and interpretive ranger Bola Ojo — and to every boy who stepped into a canoe.
Read the full recap on Substack →