Teen Wilderness Adventures YMCA Camp Widjiwagan 2014 Summer Schedule
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TEEN WILDERNESS ADVENTURES YMCA CAMP WIDJIWAGAN 2014 Summer Schedule widji.org WIDJIWAGAN OUR MISSION Widjiwagan was founded in 1929 as RESPECT FOR SELF: Respect begins by believing in yourself a wilderness adventure program in and your own capabilities. At Widji we stress taking care of northeastern Minnesota. Throughout yourself and taking responsibility for your actions. our 85 year history, young people have been inspired by the Widji wilderness RESPECT FOR OTHERS: We emphasize goal setting, experience. sharing, and working together as a group to accomplish more collectively than would be possible individually. We honor Our mission is simple— “to develop, individual differences, believing that diversity presents many in young people, respect for self, opportunities for learning and personal growth. community and the environment, through wilderness adventure and RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: environmental education.” Travel in the wilderness is conducted using “Leave No Trace” ethics and standards. Respect is the foundation of all Widji sessions and trips. RESPECT FOR EQUIPMENT: We stress the importance of taking care of the tools and equipment we use in wilderness travel. 85TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION WEEKEND JULY 11-13, 2014 Join Widji alumni, family and friends for a weekend at camp to celebrate the traditions and history of YMCA Camp Widjiwagan. Visit widji.org for additional information. 2 widji.org . (P) 612-822-2267 . (F) 612-223-6322 • [email protected] WIDJIWAGAN GENERAL INFORMATION BUILDING A FOUNDATION TRAIL COUNSELORS The key to providing successful wilderness Leadership is the key to a quality wilderness trips is preparation. All Widji sessions begin experience. At Widji, our trail counselors are WIDJIWAGAN with two to three days at base camp. During teachers, role models, coaches, and mentors. Ely this time, campers meet their counselors and They are highly trained both by Widji and 61 fellow group members and begin planning. through their previous experience. They Campers are involved in all aspects of the all have certifications in lifeguarding and LAKE SUPERIOR trip preparation: goal setting, establishing a CPR, and all are certified Wilderness First menu, route, and honing the many skills they Responders. They are carefully selected for Duluth will use on their trip. their experience with and interest in working MINNESOMMINNEESSOTSSOTAA with teens, their judgment, leadership, and 35 WILDERNESS SETTING wilderness skills. The real magic of a Widji experience happens WISCONSINW NNSI in the wilderness. For canoe groups, this CAMPERS 94 might mean paddling out of camp or getting Of all the things toBig bringStone L. to camp, a positive dropped off on the edge of the Boundary attitude is the most important! Campers St. Paul Waters Canoe Area Wilderness or Quetico should come to Widji willing to learn, eager Minneapolis Provincial Park. For backpack groups, this to be challenged and to function effectively 94 means driving west to the mountains or east as a member of a small group. to Isle Royale or the Superior Hiking Trail. Once groups go ‘on trail’ they spend the rest RISK MANAGEMENT Ely, Minnesota of their session in the wilderness. They move For over 80 years, Widjiwagan has been most days and camp in a different place teaching care and respect to youth in TRAIL GROUPINGS AND most nights. Free from the distractions of a wilderness setting. It is important for FRIEND REQUESTS civilization, groups get to know each other parents and campers to acknowledge that Campers are grouped as much as possible and come together to accomplish their due to the remoteness of our trips, instant according to age and experience. Groups goals. On trail is where friendships form and communication with emergency medical are kept quite small, by design. A big part of memories are made! services is not always possible. Because of what makes Widjiwagan special is the strong this, we have developed a risk management friendships that are formed on trail. We PROGRESSION OF CHALLENGE strategy that couples advanced wilderness encourage campers to come to camp ready The Widji program has been carefully crafted first aid protocols and training with a to make new friends. However, sometimes to offer progressive challenge and growth thorough knowledge of the areas we use. it is very important for two campers to be for teens ages 12-18. As campers return to Our program cannot guarantee accident-free together in the same trail group. We will try Widji year after year for more challenging travel, but our attitude and investment in to honor a friend request for two friends to trips, they build upon their wilderness skills accident prevention can ensure that, in the be together, but we cannot accommodate and take on greater leadership roles. event of accident or illness, our counselors requests for more than two friends to be have the training and judgment to make grouped together. appropriate and expeditious decisions. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Widjiwagan welcomes all who wish to participate, and annually raises scholarship funds to help make that possible. Please let us know if we may serve you or your family in this way. You may call us at 612-822- 2267 or visit widji.org to receive a financial assistance application. [email protected] . (P) 612-822-2267 • (F) 612-223-6322 . widji.org 3 WIDJIWAGAN CANOEING ADVENTURES PATHFINDERS CANOE TRIP INTRODUCTION Entering grade 6 TO CANOEING SESSIONS New trip this summer! Widji will be Entering grades 7-8 offering a ‘Sampler’ trip for campers These sessions are ideal for first-time entering 6th grade in the fall of 2014. This campers looking for an introduction to 5 day experience will introduce campers to the Widji experience and the Boundary the basic canoe and camping skills for an Waters. Campers will learn the basic skills overnight camping trip. This program will of canoeing, camping, and navigation in a focus on the tradition and history of Widji, fun and supportive environment. A typical the BWCAW, and the French Voyageurs, Intro trail group consists of two Widji trail who traveled northern Minnesota during counselors and four to six campers. After the fur trade era. On the 3rd morning of three days of training and orientation at camp, the campers will paddle to a nearby Widji, groups venture out ‘on trail’ for six to campsite on Burntside Lake to get a sense ten days in the BWCAW. Although canoeing of what ‘trail life’ is like and camp overnight and portaging can be demanding, working as with their fellow Pathfinders and two Widji a team allows campers to accomplish a lot Counselors. The group will return the next more together than they could as individuals. day and be involved with the banquet and All campers are expected to pitch in and do closing activities. This trip is a great way their share of the work, carrying packs and to introduce an eager camper to Camp tents across portages which may be up to a Widjiwagan. mile long! #Days Fees Intro Canoe #Days Fees 6/29–7/3 5 $500 6/17–6/27* 11 $968 7/6-7/10 5 $500 6/23–7/3 11 $1,210 7/13–7/17 5 $500 6/29–7/10 12 $1,320 8/1–8/5 5 $500 7/6–7/17 12 $1,320 8/10–8/14 5 $500 7/13–7/23 11 $1,210 7/19–7/29 11 $1,210 7/25–8/5 12 $1,320 8/1–8/14 14 $1,540 8/10–8/20 11 $1,210 8/16–8/25* 10 $880 *Discounted 20% 4 widji.org . (P) 612-822-2267 . (F) 612-223-6322 • [email protected] WIDJIWAGAN BWCAW SESSIONS QUETICO SESSIONS Entering grades 8-10 Entering grades 9-12 These canoe adventures, the mainstay The pristine lakes and remote wilderness of Widji’s canoe program, are our most trails of Canada’s Quetico Provincial popular trips—perfect for excited, first-time Park provide challenge and adventure for campers as well as seasoned canoeists. experienced campers. Trail groups travel Each group of five campers is under the deep into the heart of the Quetico and learn leadership of one Widji trail counselor. Over the basics of expedition style canoe tripping. the course of the trip a group may travel 60- 140 miles through the heart of the Boundary One Widji counselor provides leadership Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, learning and for up to five campers. In the Quetico the refining their paddling and camping skills portages are more rugged than those in the along the way. BWCAW, there are no designated campsites, and it is generally less populated. Quetico BWCAW Canoe #Days Fees campers are required to have a valid passport. 6/12–6/21* 10 $880 Fees 6/17–7/3 17 $1,870 Quetico (includes 6/23–7/3 11 $1,210 Canoe #Days permit fee) 6/29–7/10 12 $1,320 6/12–6/27 16 $1,824 7/6–7/17 12 $1,320 6/17–7/3 17 $1,938 7/13–7/29 17 $1,870 6/23–7/10 18 $2,052 7/25–8/5 12 $1,320 6/29–7/10 12 $1,368 8/1-8/14 14 $1,540 7/6–7/23 18 $2,052 8/10–8/23 14 $1,540 7/13–7/29 17 $1,938 8/16–8/25* 10 $880 7/19–8/5 18 $2,052 *Discounted 20% 7/25–8/14 21 $2,394 8/1–8/14 14 $1,596 8/1–8/23 23 $2,622 8/10–8/25 16 $1,824 [email protected] . (P) 612-822-2267 • (F) 612-223-6322 . widji.org 5 WIDJIWAGAN BACKPACKING ADVENTURES ISLE ROYALE CANOEING/BACKPACKING Entering grades 7-8 COMBINATION Isle Royale, a National Park in the midst of Entering grades 8-10 Lake Superior’s cold clear waters, offers a If you are not quite sure whether backpacking fantastic introduction to backpacking.