What is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW)?
Frequently Ask Questions
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The Necessity of Wilderness
Do I need previous canoing and camping experience to come on this trip?
Do I need to have any special equipment?
Are there any special rules for students going on this trip?
Will taking this trip cause problems with me moving into the dorms?
Students must abide by Nebraska Wesleyan University student code of conduct, which disallows any
illegal drugs or alcohol consumption.
illegal drugs or alcohol consumption.
Yes, you need to bring appropriate clothing, sleeping gear, eating utensils, and course related
materials. See the equipment list page for specific items.
materials. See the equipment list page for specific items.
How physically demanding is this trip?
Is camping safe in the BWCAW?
Yes, as safe as any wilderness experience can be. There are certain risks inherent on any camping
and canoeing trip, but every reasonable precaution will be taken. The trip leaders have had experience
leading groups on camping/canoeing trips and are trained in CPR and First Aid.
and canoeing trip, but every reasonable precaution will be taken. The trip leaders have had experience
leading groups on camping/canoeing trips and are trained in CPR and First Aid.
This northern Minnesota wilderness is the eighth largest in the continental U.S. at 810,088 acres. Its
northern boundary is contiguous with the Canadian wilderness, Quetico Provincial Park, creating a 2
million acre wilderness area. Managed by the Forest Service, this area is accessible only by foot or
canoe and limited by a quota system to preserve the wilderness experience.
northern boundary is contiguous with the Canadian wilderness, Quetico Provincial Park, creating a 2
million acre wilderness area. Managed by the Forest Service, this area is accessible only by foot or
canoe and limited by a quota system to preserve the wilderness experience.
I want to offer this wilderness experience to both those that have camping/canoing experience as well as
those new to the outdoors. No previous experience is required.
those new to the outdoors. No previous experience is required.
At times, this will be a strenuous trip. Every person, including the trip leader, must carry canoes and
equipment along the portages. Some of the portages are long, steep, rocky, and wet. Packs and canoes
weigh in excess of 50 lbs. We will sleep in tents, but we will be in the weather. With this said, if you are
in good physical condition, you should not have a problem with the trip.
equipment along the portages. Some of the portages are long, steep, rocky, and wet. Packs and canoes
weigh in excess of 50 lbs. We will sleep in tents, but we will be in the weather. With this said, if you are
in good physical condition, you should not have a problem with the trip.
No. In July you will receive your dorm assignment, so you get to move into the dorm 10 days earlier than
most students. You move into the dorm and set up your room on Monday August 13. We will have a
Monday evening meeting and meal to get acquainted, then you can sleep in your dorm for an early
departure the next morning. We return to campus on Wednesday August 22, so you will be back to
participate in all of the New Student Orientation (NSO) activities on campus along with the other first year
students.
most students. You move into the dorm and set up your room on Monday August 13. We will have a
Monday evening meeting and meal to get acquainted, then you can sleep in your dorm for an early
departure the next morning. We return to campus on Wednesday August 22, so you will be back to
participate in all of the New Student Orientation (NSO) activities on campus along with the other first year
students.
Who cooks and takes care of camp activities?
All students share in the responsibilities of camping, including cooking, cleaning up afterwards, setting
up and taking down tents and tarps, and fire making. We are a team and work together to make the trip
successful. You may not have experience in these activities, but you will learn.
up and taking down tents and tarps, and fire making. We are a team and work together to make the trip
successful. You may not have experience in these activities, but you will learn.
Is this a class or a camping trip?
It is both. Experiencing a wilderness area is the most important learning activity and this occurs all day
everyday. Beyond this, students learn the common plants and animals of the area, examine the role of
fire in this ecosystem, and reflect about his/her experiences. We will spend time during the remainder of
the semester to explore other topics associated with wilderness.
everyday. Beyond this, students learn the common plants and animals of the area, examine the role of
fire in this ecosystem, and reflect about his/her experiences. We will spend time during the remainder of
the semester to explore other topics associated with wilderness.
How is trash dealt with on the trip?
Visiting a wilderness area requires a "leave no trace" ethic. This means that what goes into the
wilderness comes out. The food we take is dehydrated and packed to eliminate paper and plastic waste.
No bottles or cans are allowed int he BWCAW. Wilderness latrines are present in each campsite, but
are not garbage cans and should be used for the intended purpose only.
wilderness comes out. The food we take is dehydrated and packed to eliminate paper and plastic waste.
No bottles or cans are allowed int he BWCAW. Wilderness latrines are present in each campsite, but
are not garbage cans and should be used for the intended purpose only.
What if I have other questions?
You can drop me an email at dbenham@NebrWesleyan.edu or telephone me at work at 402-465-2449
or on my cell 402-570-7357.
or on my cell 402-570-7357.
Can I take this class if I plan to play sports or be involved in extracurricular
activities?
activities?
Several sport teams begin practice during the time we are camping including football, volleyball and
soccer (both men and women). Thus members of these teams are not eligible for this course. However,
no other extracurricular activities conflict with this trip.
soccer (both men and women). Thus members of these teams are not eligible for this course. However,
no other extracurricular activities conflict with this trip.
What are the "facilities" like when camping?
Each campsite has a "wilderness latrine" which is a nice toilet seat covering a rather large hole. We
bring our own toilet paper and close the lid after use (no flushing required!). Any biodegradable items
can be placed in the latrine, but plastic or cotton feminine products should be packed out (bring along a
supply of ziplock bags). A nice article to read on Women in the Backcountry is found on the Canadian
Canoe Routes site. It is best to "do your business" before leaving camp, but if you "gotta go" while we
are traveling, you dig a hole 6"-8" deep, 200' from a water source and bury the waste.
bring our own toilet paper and close the lid after use (no flushing required!). Any biodegradable items
can be placed in the latrine, but plastic or cotton feminine products should be packed out (bring along a
supply of ziplock bags). A nice article to read on Women in the Backcountry is found on the Canadian
Canoe Routes site. It is best to "do your business" before leaving camp, but if you "gotta go" while we
are traveling, you dig a hole 6"-8" deep, 200' from a water source and bury the waste.