Summer Academic Enrichment Eligible Programs

Goals

Our teaching philosophy is simple: learning happens best when one experiences it. Lives it. Breathes it. Hands-on activities combined with an unbelievably beautiful campus make our living laboratory the kind of educational experience you can’t get anywhere else.

The Voyageurs 2-wk Ultimate Survival Program was created for those campers with a high interest in developing their environmental science knowledge and skills, as well as, their outdoor adventure and recreation skills. The goals and objectives for the program are to; * Understand that all living and non-living components of an environment interact with one another to form an ecosystem * Understand that humans have a great ability to alter natural systems * Gain an appreciation of their natural surroundings and take an active role in the conservation and stewardship of our environment. * Understand that a complex natural system is more stable than a simple one, and more able to absorb disturbances. * Gather evidence that all living things acquire physical and behavioral adaptations to be successful in their environment * Demonstrate the ability to perform basic map and compass skills, including: measuring and plotting bearings on a topographic map, with emphasis on reading contour lines, recognizing landform features, and estimating elevation gains and losses. To develop self-reliance, self-confidence and self-respect * To develop leadership skills to use in their own groups and community. * Understand human connections to weather and climate and how to maximize safety during inclimate weather. * Demonstrate an understanding of the science behind and the causes, prevention and treatment of cold injuries, heat injuries, dehydration, and sun injuries. * Use renewable energies to harness power for cooking and travel * To develop skills needed to build life-long friendships * Describe the backcountry ethics associated with leave no trace (LNT) travel and camping. * Identify the major impacts r

Activities

We choose curricular content based on the local, natural and cultural history of Minnesota, as well as broader environmental issues. Science-based classes provide opportunities to learn more about our planet and how it works; cultural history classes give a glimpse of the way our predecessors interacted with local ecosystems to create a life for themselves; current event classes help us to understand emerging issues; personal growth and team-building classes develop skills for meeting personal and group challenges; and outdoor skill classes help students discover ways to keep learning about their environments for a lifetime.

Courses and activities for the Voyageur 2-wk Ultimate Survival Program include; * Wild edibles and Plant ID of Northern Minnesota * Mammal Identification * Navigation Skills and Techniques using a Compass, Map and GPS * Reading the Landscape by exploring the Geology of the Lake Superior Region * Organic Farming & Food Gathering through Hunting Techniques and Planting * Survival Skills – Wilderness First Aid * Traditional Skills and Crafts * Shelter Building * Renewable Energy – Solar Cooking, Harnessing the Wind for Power, Outdoor Cooking * Traditional Fire Building * Wilderness Ethics * Native American and French Voyageurs Connections to the Land

Program Dates

July 14 - 27, 2019

All sessions are 2 weeks in length

Can students reside on campus? Yes

Can students commute to campus? No

Can students take online classes?