Below are descriptions of the variety of available lodging options for the reunion weekend, including those at Homeplace and in the vicinity. After you register for the reunion you will be sent a survey regarding travel & lodging where you can tell us whether you plan to stay at Homeplace or in Ely. If you plan to stay at Homeplace please note we will do our best to honor your preferences but, options are limited. 

 

Homeplace Accommodations

If you haven’t been to Homeplace in a while, the variety and amount of available “indoor” housing might surprise you!  Nevertheless, all of the housing options are fairly rustic.  No option has indoor plumbing, though some do have electricity.  Some housing assignments will be made based on accessibility requirements rather than strict preference.  Please request your preferred housing option through the 60th Anniversary Reunion RSVP Questionnaire: 

 

Space to Pitch a Tent

Self-explanatory.  We can offer a variety of grassy, (mostly) flat locations where you can pitch a tent.  These sites will likely be farther from indoor plumbing, though open-air latrines (“slammers”) will be available.  If you don’t have your own tent, you may be able to borrow one.

 

Bug-screened Tent Cabin

Located in Student Village or a staff housing area, tent cabins offer walls, a roof, and mesh windows.  Most tent cabins have 5 bunk beds in them and can sleep a total of 10 people, so space will likely be shared with others.  No electricity, though they are closer to washhouse facilities than the tent spaces.

 

Indoor Bunkhouse (limited)

Homeplace has a few indoor bunk-style accommodation options, including The Wedge, The Myron, and The Ice Palace.  Each bunkroom can sleep 8-10 folks on bunk beds or cots.  Bunkhouses feature electricity and closeable windows and doors.

 

Indoor Hamilton Room (very limited)

The Hamilton Cottages are primarily summer staff housing, so the number of available units will depend on the amount of remaining staff.  Each cottage is divided into four units with their own doors.  Each unit features two bunks—one on the lower level and one in a loft (accessible via ladder).  Some units feature a double bunk in the loft.  All Hamilton units have electricity, though they are located slightly farther from the washhouse facilities than other housing options.

 

Ely Accommodations

The town of Ely offers a variety of hotel and motel options, and Ely’s Chamber of Commerce (www.ely.org) has information on all hotels, lodges, and B&B’s in the area.  Some recommendations with detail are below.  Be aware that the Homeplace reunion will span Labor Day Weekend, and rates may be higher than listed below.  If you plan on staying in town, we strongly suggest you reserve your room early.

Ely is a small town of about 3,700 people. Spread out over several miles, our quaint community has fun stores to check out downtown and several local restaurants. The only national chain stores are Dairy Queen, Subway, and Dollar General. The motels listed below are about 1 mile from the main strip, yet are within closer walking distance of a convenience mart (gas station), the grocery store (Zup’s), DQ, and Subway. 

Sample hotel options and rates (subject to change based on your needs):

Northwoods Inn and Suites:
1605 E. Sheridan St.
(218) 365-2873
Prices: $160 (+ tax) 

The Adventure Inn
1145 E. Sheridan St.
(218) 365-3140
Prices: $145 - 155 (+ tax)

 

A Stay Inn Ely
112 W. Sheridan Rd.
(888) 360-6010
Five attractive wood-paneled rooms with private bath, that share a kitchen,
dining and living room; ranging from $135 - 175/night (+ tax)

Grand Ely Lodge
400 N. Pioneer Rd.
(218) 365-6565

Nearby Campgrounds
Homeplace is surrounded by the Superior National Forest, which offers two recreational campgrounds off Highway 1 near Homeplace. 
If you would prefer to camp and commute to the weekend’s festivities, you can reserve a site at the South Kawishiwi River Campground (closer) or Birch Lake Campground (farther).  These campgrounds offer standard National Forest system amenities such as vault toilets, potable water, and boat ramps. 
The South Kawishiwi Campground also features a swimming beach.  Reservations can be made through www.recreation.gov, and we have also reserved some sites in case of Homeplace overflow.

Driving Directions to Homeplace 

Homeplace, one of the wilderness base camps for the Voyageur Outward Bound School, is located about 11 miles south of Ely, Minnesota off of Highway 1.  There are three common routes to get here from the Duluth area (details for each are below):

1. The first is the scenic route through Two Harbors and includes travel through wooded areas without cell service and services.  If you choose this route, make sure you have enough gas to travel about 1.5 hours after leaving Two Harbors. 
2. This route is a little longer than the first option and not as scenic, yet it has more houses, services, and cell service, in case you need help.  
3. The third option is if you want to go through the town of Ely before arriving at Homeplace. 

Homeplace’s physical address is:
Voyageur Outward Bound School
1007 Spruce Road
Ely, MN 55731

**Some GPS devices and online mapping services have trouble recognizing it, so be sure to check your directions ahead of time.

The Scenic/Quickest Route:

• Take US 61 north of Duluth for about 25 miles to Two Harbors. 
• Turn left at the Holiday gas station/Hanlees onto Highway 2 (4th Street). 
• Follow Highway 2 forever or until you hit the end of the road (about 45 miles).   There is one stop sign in about 25 miles where you take a right and then in about .3 miles you make a left.  You will still be on Highway 2 during this time.
• At the end of Highway 2, you hit a T intersection with Highway 1. Take a left. 
• Follow Highway 1 to mile marker 297, where you will take a right onto Spruce Road where there is also an Outward Bound sign. 
• Follow Spruce Road for about 2 miles and turn left at the Outward Bound school sign (also a small blue fire road number 1007). Homeplace is a couple of miles down this road.

Through Virginia/Babbitt

• Take US 53 north from Duluth to Virginia (about 60 miles)
• Continue along 53 until you see the sign for Highway 169 to Ely (about another 5 miles)
• Turn right onto Hwy 169.
• After approximately 7 miles, take a right onto Highway 21 directly across from the Silverado Saloon (blue building with flashing yellow sign). 
• After traveling for about 12 miles on Rte. 21 you’ll reach Embarrass. Continue on until you reach the outskirts of Babbitt.  A golf course will be on your right. You need to take a left to continue on Hwy 21. 
• Take Highway 21 until you see a landfill sign, half mile past this; take a right onto County Road 120 (towards Ely Airport). Continue on 120 until you hit a T junction with Highway 1. 
• Turn right on Hwy 1. Just past mile marker 297 you will see a sign for Spruce Road along with an Outward Bound School sign. Turn left here. 
• Follow Spruce Road for about 2 miles and turn left at the Outward Bound school sign (also a small blue fire road number 1007). Homeplace is a couple of miles down this road.
  
  

The Longest Route, Through the Town of Ely:

• Take US 53 north from Duluth to Virginia (about 60 miles)

• Continue along 53 until you see the sign for Highway 169 to Ely (about another 5 miles)
• Turn right onto Hwy 169. Take 169 to Ely (approximately 45 miles).
• Turn right onto Highway 1, at the Chamber of Commerce. 
• Travel about 10 miles, then turn left onto Spruce Road where there is also an Outward Bound School sign. Follow Spruce Road for about 2 miles and turn left onto VOBS road. 

When You Arrive
Parking may be limited at Homeplace due to the high number of current and former staff and trustees expected to attend.  When you arrive, please follow signs indicating where you should park.  Please continue down the gravel road to the Pieh Building (our main administration building), where registration will occur starting at 12pm on Friday, August 29th.

Carpooling
If you are interested in providing or receiving a ride for/from another reunion guest, please indicate your willingness on the 60th Anniversary Travel & Lodging Questionnaire:

 

When You Arrive
Parking may be limited at Homeplace due to the high number of current and former staff and trustees expected to attend.  When you arrive, please follow signs indicating where you should park.  Please continue down the gravel road to the Pieh Building (our main administration building), where registration will occur starting at 12 pm on Friday, August 29th.

If your travel has been delayed please call 218.491.6799.

 

Duluth Arrival Time 
If you are flying or taking a shuttle bus to Duluth please plan to arrive no later than 4:00 PM. Duluth has limited flights. Based on the current options VOBS will plan to have two Shuttles transporting folks from the Duluth Airport to Homeplcae. If you are struggling to find flights that will get you here by this time please let us know and we can help accommodate!

Shuttle #1: Will depart the Duluth Airport around 1:00 PM. 
Shuttle #2: Will depart the Duluth Airport around 4:00 PM. 
**Expect to be on the shuttle for two to three hours while we transport you to Homeplace.

Arriving by Plane-Duluth: 
Flying into Duluth International Airport (DLH, typically more direct, more expensive)

Arriving by Plane- Minneapolis:
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP, typically less expensive, more airlines). 
If you fly to MSP, Groome Transportation offers shuttles from the MSP Airport Duluth.  If you arrive by Groome Shuttle, Please indicate your drop-off location as the Duluth Airport. (Click on the orange text for info on Groome shuttles)

Arriving by Bus

Both Greyhound and Jefferson Lines serve Duluth at the Jefferson Lines Terminal (4426 Grand Avenue, Duluth, MN 55807). 
Jefferson Lines (http://www.jeffersonlines.com/) connects Duluth to the Greater Midwest, including the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. 
Greyhound (http://www.greyhound.com) runs a national network of bus routes. 
VOBS can pick you up at the bus station, or you can meet us at the Duluth Airport by baggage claim. Please indicate your preference for pick up in the 60th Reunion survey. 

Driving to Homeplace 
You are more than welcome to Drive to Homeplace for the reunion. For driving directions please reference the 'Driving to Homeplace tab' under transportation.

Homeplace’s physical address is:
Voyageur Outward Bound School
1007 Spruce Road
Ely, MN 55731

Travel Problems
If an unavoidable travel delay occurs every effort will be made to support you and get you to the reunion!  Please call 218.491.6799 as soon as possible on your travel day so that we can facilitate the pickup.

Duluth Accommodations

If you are unsure about reaching your pick-up point on time, we advise you to arrive a day early. The cost of your room is not included in your tuition. Airport shuttles to hotels are sometimes available, or you may need to take a taxi. There are several hotels near the Airport, Bus Station or Downtown Duluth.  Some options include: 

Near Airport: 
Econo Lodge 218-722-5522
Country Inns & Suites 218.461.3312
Days Inn 218.727.3110

Near Bus Station and Downtown: 
Super 8 by Wyndham 218.628.2241
Radisson Hotel 218.481.11185

  

 

 

        

The reunion will end at approximately 10:00 AM on Sunday, September 1st.
Folks needing transportation to Duluth will depart Homeplace before this time, and you may miss the closing circle. These logistics are still being worked out. 

Returning to Duluth

Reunion guests requesting a shuttle will be transported to Duluth on September 1. 
Please book your departing flights any time after 1:00 PM on September 1st.

You will arrive in Duluth in time for a 1:00 PM flight.  We cannot guarantee that you will be able to make any flights or get a bus out of Duluth, MN, before 1:00 PM, so plan your itinerary accordingly.