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Finding My Happy Place in the BWCA: Henry’s Story

August 24, 2016

Pictured above is Henry Munnich, former Anwatin Middle School student and three-time Boundary Waters Canoe Area adventurer with Project Success. This photo is from his first trip as a 6th grader. Below, Henry shares his reflections on his three trips and how they have shaped his life.

Nothing compares to waking up at an unsettlingly early hour to meet an abundant amount of sleep-deprived teenagers, embarking on a journey they are still too tired to fully comprehend.  For three years of middle school I’ve been among that very group, boarding a bus in the early morning to head north.

Instantaneously, as we disembark from the bus and arrive in the Boundary Waters, time slows to a halt. I realize I have found my happy place. Time is no longer a number. You get up when the sun comes up. You can’t tell what day it is, what year it is, or what’s happening in the rest of the world. You only know where the sun is.

The timelessness is powerful and something you can’t experience anywhere else. So is the silence, and the freedom. It is a feeling of freedom that only increases over the next seven days. We are able to choose where we stay, where we go, and what we do. It’s an inspiring experience being greeted by the naturally unchanged beauty of the Boundary Waters each year.

What is it like in the Boundary Waters with Project Success? It is something different to everyone, but to me…

… the BWCA is an opportunity to “choose our own adventure.” Everyone’s BWCA journey is their own, and the groups grow closer as the trip goes on. We enjoy quiet time to ourselves, but also build our teamwork skills — our BWCA groups see each other through good times, frustrations and challenges, and the rewards of achieving our goals.

… the BWCA is a place where you could sit for hours just listening, if you’d like — to the crickets or to life’s heartbeat. The scenery is shades of green. The stars and the sunsets are phenomenal. There is nothing but fresh air. It is amazing to watch a storm roll in. At home, I can be so removed from the outdoors that I am not aware of nature’s cues, and do not realize a storm until it starts to pour and the first thunder begins.

… the BWCA is anything but stressful. It’s breathtaking, inspiring, rewarding. It’s particularly rewarding in the way it challenges each member of our trip in its own way. Each of us face our own challenges — like learning not to complain. I remember the time when a huge lightning storm hit us in the middle of a lake. In between rows, we’d go back a few yards — in fact, we almost tipped. I almost complained: “This is horribl…y AWESOME!”

… the BWCA is a place to overcome challenges. My biggest physical challenge was portaging — I set a goal to portage with ease. Accomplishing a portage felt empowering. As a sixth grader, I was disappointed that I couldn’t carry the canoe for even a few minutes on my first trip in 6th grade. Now, my biggest inspiration to stay in shape is carrying those canoes to the next lake. After that initial trip, I started working to get ready for the next trip to be able to do everything possible — AND I DID! In fact, I portaged every portage in seventh grade. Now, portaging is intuitive and natural, and much easier for me. As I challenged myself to portage, I learned that everything that was once inconceivable becomes effortless with time, preparation and commitment.

Each year I traveled to the BWCA, I came away from the trip with deeper skills. These trips have taught me that I am resilient. I can handle setbacks. As a sixth grader, I didn’t enjoy working in teams but I’ve learned more about teamwork through my trips and I’ve built skills, like giving friendly directions, that have greatly benefitted me in school.

These trips have meant so much to me. I love being in nature for a week straight — it’s something everyone should do for the experience. All of these stories and more make the Boundary Waters my “happy place.”

For another reflection on our BWCA adventures, read a volunteer perspective: The Power of the Boundary Waters.