“There are other companies doing rafting and they do a really good job but we did not see anyone serving the family unit,” Co-owner Evan Blagec said. “We wanted to provide high quality, if possible, private options for smaller groups where everyone feels like they are a part of the experience and not just another person getting put down the river that day.”

True North Outpost consists of Blagec and partners Nate Alwine and Austin Kelsec. Although he does not remember, it was Alwine who trained Blagec to be a river guide when they both worked at another adventure resort over 15 years ago.

Years later, a 120-year-old farmhouse became available and Alwine and Kelsec approached Blagec about starting True North Outpost with Blagec running the day-to-day operations.

Operating the river rafting was not part of the original plan — a fourth partner did the tours when the business started but has since moved on.

TRUE NORTH OUTPOST is at W5768 Old Piers Gorge Road in Norway. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)

Getting the farmhouse ready to open proved to be a monumental task that took every spare moment the partners had for nearly two years.

True North Outpost now offers a wide variety of camping and outdoor gear. In addition, the store features True North Clothing Outpost and items made by local artists and crafters such as soaps, candles, coffee and honey.

If equipment is all that keeps someone from getting out, True North Outpost rents canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, mountain bikes and fat tire bikes in the winter.

True North Outpost also has antiques. Partner Kelsec and wife Michelle previously owned and operated Eighth Avenue Antiques in Norway, but after selling that building moved the antiques to the upper floor of the outpost.

That location proved problematic, however, as customers did not want to climb the stairs and space was limited. So the antiques are now in another building on the property, a setting Michelle Kelsec had long envisioned.

True North Outpost also has antiques in a separate building, run by partner Austin Kelsec and wife Michelle. They previously owned and operated Eighth Avenue Antiques in Norway. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)

While a large part of True North Outpost’s business is the rafting trips, that is far from the only adventures they offer. Even in the winter, events are happening — snowshoeing trips, full moon hikes and mountain biking with fat tire bikes.

To otherwise keep busy in the winter — or year-round — and get in shape, True North Outpost also offers an indoor climbing wall. Those interested in climbing can come and try it for an hour or two, renting climbing shoes and chalk bags, and if they like it they can get a monthly membership.

Wednesday nights are for adults and Thursdays are for children, with coaches on hand and fun climbing activities.

But Memorial Day to Labor Day are the busy times for True North Outpost. Blagec said they look to hire 16 or 17 guides for those months.

Whether rafting, paddle trip, mountain biking, indoor or outdoor rock climbing or a tour of area waterfalls, True North Outpost has something for everyone regardless of age or skill level, they said.

“A lot of our activities operate around the same time — a family will come in and mom and dad will take the older kids rafting and grandma will take the younger ones on a climbing trip or do the waterfall and wine tour,” Blagec said. “We can provide pretty much something for everybody.”

Blagec said rafting is a great activity for beginners and experienced rafters alike; in fact, he has seen children as young as age 4 and seniors in their 80s all have a good time on the Menominee River trips.

Children do have to be at least 12 years old to take on the Class IV whitewater rapids in Piers Gorge. But there are less challenging routes such as the Class II Chipmunk Rapids and Class I “Boogie Water.”

Blagec even recommends spending multiple days at True North Outpost to try a variety of activities.

The main aim is for everyone to have a good time and he said the best way for that to happen is to keep everyone safe.

“My first rule is getting hurt is not allowed — as soon as you start getting hurt you are not having any fun. So we center everything around safety,” Blagec said. “I say this with certainty — we train our guides in all activities more than any other company.”

True North Outpost is at W5768 Old Piers Gorge Road and is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. They can be found online at https://www.truenorthoutpost.com or to shop online go to https://truenorthonlineshop.square.site.

They said a newly designed website should be operating in the next few weeks.

True North Outpost can be followed on Facebook and Instagram as well for discounts on summer adventures.