217 Ardeyda Dugsiga Dhexe ayaa Waqooyi u Tagaya Adventures Dibadda oo PS ah
This summer, Project Success hosted 217 students on four week-long expeditions to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and a four-day trip to the Apostle Islands. These trips are a part of Project Success’ Expeditions programming which encourages students to get out of their day-to-day comfort zones while helping them gain new perspective for their potential in the world. These trips are centered on allowing students opportunities to grow in their self-confidence, connect with nature, and build new friendships.
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA)
The BWCA Canoe Adventures took place in June and July and included more than 200 students, 33 Project Success volunteers and staff leaders, and 30 Wilderness Canoe Base experts. During this seven-day expedition, students canoed, hiked, swam, camped in tents, and cooked meals over an open fire. For many students, this was their first experience camping, or even being away from their families. They learned the basics of camping and portaging from the Wilderness Canoe Base experts and their Project Success Leaders, and returned from these expeditions as seasoned camping veterans.
“Every moment [in the Boundary Waters] felt free and adventurous and I finally felt like myself. It was amazing to finally be free of the burden of expectations and society. When I’m there, every task is necessary and it makes it feel like each day is worth living. Every time I’ve gone, my mental health has drastically improved, for this is the part of my life that I was missing.” – Project Success Student
The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Fourteen students embarked on the Project Success Apostle Islands Kayak Adventure on July 24. This four-day overnight program is made accessible to students who might require extra support to access and enjoy outdoor recreational activities, including students with physical, health, developmental, social, and/or cognitive needs. In addition to three Project Success staff and three professional guides from Wilderness Inquiry, our support staff includes two Personal Care Assistants (PCAs). Students on this adventure kayaked through the Bark Bay Slough sighting Sandhill Cranes, a family of Trumpeter Swans and other wildlife. They explored the Mawikwe Sea Caves carved into the cliffs of the big lake’s south shore, hiked an interpretive trail with signs both in English and Ojibwe, and swam every day in Lake Superior. They spent their days exploring the outdoors, making friends, bonding with one another over sandcastles, and swimming. All while spending their nights going on night walks, watching the sunset, making s’mores, and telling stories around the fire before going to bed in their tents at Wilderness Inquiry’s Little Sand Bay Base Camp.
Students were asked what they will take away from this experience, here are some responses:
“Leadership and responsibility”
“Living in the moment”
“This was the best experience I’ve ever had!”
“Endurance”
“Perseverance and teamwork”
“Friendship”
“Trying something different when one thing doesn’t work”
“Anyone and anything can be family”
“Seeing how life interconnects with nature”
“Strategic silliness”
“Making new friendships”
These outdoor adventures introduce students to the wonders of Minnesota and Wisconsin’s natural beauty all while instilling valuable life skills and self-belief. They are faced with new challenges ranging from making a fire for the first time, to navigating being away from the familiar comforts of home. Through these experiences, students learn their own strength and gain valuable life lessons and new friendships along the way.
Many thanks to our partners at Wilderness Canoe Base and Wilderness Inquiry for the long-standing partnerships that allow us to bring students on these impactful trips each summer!
“Thank you SO MUCH for such a great trip! I am so endlessly impressed with everything that Project Success does, and my student had a wonderful time!” – Project Success Parent