UWCA: Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventures Discover the Wilderness in your Backyard! The Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventures program connects thousands of Minnesota youth to the natural world through hands-on learning adventures in environments that are close to home. The UWCA is a collaborative effort of Wilderness Inquiry, the National Park Service, and many other partner organizations—representing the… [Read more] UWCA: Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventures
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Governor Mark Dayton were hosted by the National Park Service, the Mississippi River Fund, and Wilderness Inquiry on a tour of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. The Secretary and Governor learned about the advancement of invasive species such as Asian Carp, and environmental and economic issues related… [Read more] U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar recognizes UWCA as nationally significant program
Youth Program Evaluations __________________________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Floating Classrooms: Evaluation 2019 Jane Fields – PhD, Clare Halloran – EdM, Annie Jenkin – MA, Joe Schantz – BA Since 2010, Wilderness Inquiry has worked with the University of Minnesota Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI) to evaluate the success of our programs. In 2019 Wilderness Inquiry… [Read more] Youth Program Evaluations
When the call came early this summer from Richard Weber, renowned Arctic Explorer and lodge operator, to participate in a new summer leadership camp at his remote Arctic Watch Lodge, Faith, a recent St. Paul Public Schools graduate, was ready for the challenge. This is just the kind of result we are hoping to see for youth who… [Read more] Faith’s arctic adventure
Resources for Youth The UWCA program creates great adventures for youth. We provide all the equipment you need. No experience necessary. Trip Types We offer both day trips and overnight camping trips. Day trips generally are a four-and-a-half hour guided paddle down the Mississippi River, complete with hands-on activities and interpretation by National Park Service rangers. Overnight trips… [Read more] Resources for Youth
Wilderness Inquiry’s Josh Garubanda was highlighted by the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) as a key role model for communities underrepresented in the outdoors. One of NOLS’s objectives is paving the way for young people of color to become passionate about America’s wild places. In the summer of 2013, NOLS organized Expedition Denali with a group that made history… [Read more] Josh Garubanda highlighted as national role model
The cliff section of Garden Wall at Glacier National Park is beautiful… and formidable. The three-foot-wide trail snakes along the side of a towering precipice with a sheer drop uncomfortably close underfoot. Shante paused in her tracks to take a deep breath and absorb whispered words of encouragement from a teacher, hesitating before cautiously moving… [Read more] Pathway to outdoor careers
Canoemobile Program Overview Canoemobile engages youth to improve school performance, cultivates a stewardship ethic, and creates pathways to pursue educational and career opportunities in the outdoors. Led by Wilderness Inquiry, the Canoemobile is a collaboration of federal, state, and local partners connecting thousands of urban youth to the natural world through hands-on, outdoor learning in cities… [Read more] Program Overview
Tabitha Edwards, a north Minneapolis native, first engaged with Wilderness Inquiry as a participant on a Mississippi River Day Trip with a local community group. That experience sparked her interest with WI, and she stayed in touch by volunteering for trip pack-ins, soon becoming an intern and a staff member for 3 years. Her vibrancy and positive attitude permeated… [Read more] Tabitha Edwards – Finding a home at Wilderness Inquiry
From Guest Blogger Megan O’Hara, Youth Outdoor Employment Director: This summer, Wilderness Inquiry (WI) and the US Forest Service (USFS) worked together to introduce youth to our national forests in Minnesota and lead them in camping and recreational opportunities. The trips covered issues facing our national forests and career opportunities in maintaining and protecting these… [Read more] Wilderness Inquiry & US Forest Service introduce youth to National Forests
