In July and August, Minnesota Sea Grant, the National Park Service, and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa are offering three free overnight camp experiences for new and beginning campers. Deadline to register is June 17.
Each trip begins and ends at Grand Portage National Monument and includes a day trip aboard the Seahunter III to the Windigo Visitors Center on Isle Royale National Park.
“One of Sea Grant’s roles is to connect people to water and water science,” said Marte Kitson, Minnesota Sea Grant extension educator. “The Voyage of Discovery experiences give new and beginning campers opportunities to learn about Lake Superior and how to protect it through learning leave-no-trace camping skills, and learning about the cultural and natural history in Grand Portage and on Isle Royale.”
Each Voyage of Discovery is open to youth ages 9-12 who are accompanied by an adult mentor. Mentors can be teachers, educators, parents, grandparents, guardians, youth group leaders, siblings, and other responsible adults. Educators with or without an accompanying youth are also welcome.
“The National Park Service has partnered with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Minnesota Sea Grant and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa to remove barriers that prevent youth from experiencing the outdoors and developing the shared sense of ownership that leads to stewardship of the North Shore of Lake Superior,” said Brandon Seitz, a biological science technician with the National Park Service at Grand Portage National Monument.
The free, two-day overnight camps will be offered three times during the summer of 2019. Each trip starts at 12:30 p.m. on day one and ends at 4 p.m. on day two. The three trips will be July 13-14, August 3-4, and August 23-24.
Isle Royale has been a part of the homeland of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa for centuries. Minong, meaning the good place, is what they call Isle Royale to indicate its practical and spiritual significance. Participants will learn about the geographic and cultural connections the Grand Portage people continue to have to Isle Royale.
On the morning of day two, participants and instructors will board the Seahunter III vessel for a 1 1/2-hour trip on Lake Superior to the Windigo Visitors Center in Isle Royale National Park for a special interpretive program.
Space is limited and the registration deadline is Monday, June 17. Register here: bit.ly/2XNDIUq.
For a list of what participants should bring and other details go to www.seagrant.umn.edu/news/2019/07/13. Contact: Marte Kitson, Minnesota Sea Grant extension educator, 218-726-8305, HelloSeaGrant@gmail.com.
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