NORTHERN WILDS April-May 2012
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O to Camp! Gunflint camps serve up wilderness skills with a side of personal growth By Dyke VanEtten Williams I believe that nobody should be allowed to get a job, buy a car or get married until they have been on at least one 4-week canoe trip. You only know who you really are when it’s raining and somebody needs to gather ďŹ rewood. Extended time in the wilderness can be the best possible education in how to be a human being. While such trips or similar circumstances—growing up on a farm is a good alternative—were once commonplace, they are not at all
MINK LAKE CAMP Six large log cabins and a rustic lodge with gas lights and stone fireplace provide a homey base camp—the only buildings on the lake. On the grounds for residential groups are a high-ropes course, canoeing equipment, sauna, and space for relaxation and contemplation with limited distractions. Mink Lake Camp is affiliated with Trout Lake Camps, sponsored by 250 Baptist churches in Minnesota and Iowa. CONTACT: John Wicklund, Director jpwicklund@comcast.net
ADVENTUROUS CHRISTIANS For over 40 years, Adventurous Christians (“A.C.�) has been a small, rustic, year-round wilderness ministry. In the summer, AC offers guided canoe trips of various lengths and challenges. In the
the norm today. Wilderness camps provide an irreplaceable experience for young people—both campers and staff. The Gun int Trail has been home to a richness of camps over the years, and almost all are still there. Here are ďŹ ve Gun int Trail camps serving young people today, described from south to north. Contact them directly for more information, conversation or a visit. A YMCA Camp Menogyn guide and a youthful camper pause their paddles on Caribou Lake. | YMCA CAMP MENOGYN
other seasons they host wilderness retreats for church groups, leadership and women. They also offer “Adventurous Canines,� a winter camping experience featuring sled dogs. Sponsored by the Covenant Church. CONTACT: Mike and Nicole Nelson (218) 388-2286 ac@adventurouschristians.org www.adventurouschristians.org
James Bay. CONTACT: Maureen Martin, Program Director. (218) 388-4497 (summer), (763) 230-9310 (winter) maureen.martin@ymcatwincities.org www.campmenogyn.org
WILDERNESS CANOE BASE
YMCA CAMP MENOGYN Located on West Bearskin Lake on the edge of the BWCAW, YMCA Camp Menogyn (min-o-jin, from the Ojibwe “to grow fully�) is a wilderness adventure program primarily for teens. For 90 years, Menogyn has sent large numbers of small groups out on traditional canoeing, backpacking and rock-climbing trips in Minnesota and across North America to places like the Rockies and
Member FDIC
Wilderness Canoe Base specializes in guided canoe trips for middle and high school youth and intergenerational groups. Service work projects, team-building activities and “on base� outdoor activities are available through Island Camp. Wilderness Canoe Base hosts family camps and year-round retreats like Taize worship, women’s retreats and yoga weekends. Sponsored by Lake Wapogasset Lutheran Bible Camp, Inc. CONTACT: Emma Harness, Wilderness Site
Director. (218) 388-2241 wcboffice@campwapo.org campwapo@campwapo.org
CAMP BIRCHWOOD Camp Birchwood gives boys ages 7 to 17 valuable outdoor and interpersonal skills through outdoor adventure trips and traditional in-camp activities. On the Seagull River since 1969, this private camp (known for a time as Gunflint Wilderness Camp) has had campers from all over the world listening to the call of the loons, watching northern lights and breathing the fresh, clean air. CONTACT: Dan and Melissa (800) 451-5270. info@birchwoodforboys.com www.birchwoodforboys.com
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