Boundary Waters Experience (BWX)

News from the Trail...

By: Pat Gores

Between the 11^th and 16^th of July, I was blessed to guide a group of guys from Messiah Lutheran Church in Roseau, MN.  I was excited about this trip because I had been off the trail for too many weeks and this group was a great way to come back.  These guys had a great community already established that I was excited about hopefully being invited into.  And they did accept me with open arms.

 

We traveled from Lake One all the way to north Insula Lake and back.  We spent three days on a fantastic campsite that blessed us with needed rest and relaxation through fishing, reading and swimming.  Then we proceeded to travel through some beautiful narrow water that brought us towards one of the more difficult portage in the area, and the guys stepped up and one person even double packed since our leader was hurt from a fall that he took earlier that day.  One of the things that was amazing to watch was when one of our yokes broke on our canoe and the group provided great ideas on how to fix it so we could continue the trip.

 

The spiritual side of the trip was clearly blessed.  First off, the passion that the leader showed for the kids was amazing to see and watch.  He had an ability to connect with them and bring them into conversations.  Life stories went well, especially the questions.  The guys really enjoyed asking each other ridiculous questions near the end of the trip.  The discussions that we had during the week really seemed to stick with them.  This was noticeable when we were talking about the week and they seemed to have pulled some great things from our discussions.

News from the trail...

Hey this is Carissa and this past week I led a co-ed group from Cristo Rey on the Basswood Falls route; this was my first trip guiding and I couldn’t have asked for a better group. The group I led was crazy awesome, the first day out was pretty hard, we paddled 12.5 miles which is pretty impressive for a group of kids, one of which had never been camping before. We all stayed injury free throughout the trip except for one boy who seemed to get injured enough for the rest of the group, with everything from a leech attack to almost getting swept down some rapids we were portaging up. On this trip we saw the pictographs near Basswood Falls, which were quite exciting there are two pelicans, an eight-person canoe, a man, but most exciting was the ‘eccentric moose’, which was smoking a double pipe. We loved talking about music and food, I allowed ‘food fouls’ all week, because I love talking about food; everyone in the group got Latino rapper nicknames, mine for the week was Lady Teardrop.

Life stories went well, I think it was good for everyone to share their life experiences with other people. After a last minute change in my content for the week, I had planned on doing foot washing during affirmations, but after finding out that one of my leaders had extreme dislike for feet, I decided to do Christmas on the trail. It was great to see everyone getting excited and creative about making Christmas gifts, we had everything from a duct tape wallet, to a spirit stick, to a mini bow and arrow. The most powerful thing we did this week was affirmations; this really brought our group together and let everyone hear the good in them that others see.

Carissa

Trail & 1st Aid/CPR Training

It's not too late to sign up for a BWX trip this summer!

 

Congratulations...

The Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal unveiled the 2010 40 Under Forty honorees last week.  Honorees, representing some of the Twin Cities top young business and civic leaders, were selected from nearly 300 nominees.  We'd like to congratulate Andy Dauska for being honored by this award.  Andy is a Senior Partner at Carmichael Lynch.  Andy is also a BWX Board member, serving as our Marketing Chair.  Read more here...

BWX Work Weekend...

May 21st - May 23rd

The Boundary Waters Experience is gearing up for another season.  We have some work on the base camp property near Ely to accomplish in order to be ready for the summer. We are asking for your help!  There is work for everyone: repairing a staff cabin, trimming trees, sorting trail food, readying boats, cleaning gear, etc.  We have a place for everyone to stay, and will provide food.  All that you need to do is arrive and lend a hand working.

Please join us for the weekend – e-mail or call Marcus to RSVP: BWX@mac.com or (612) 743-7700. 

Meet The 2010 Trail Guides: Erik

My name is Erik Elmstrand. I am finishing my 3rd year of a college at U of MN-Duluth, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. I enjoy most active outdoor activities like running, hunting, broomball, canoeing, backpacking...  I also enjoy spending time with my family and will miss being more involved on my family’s farm in East Central Minnesota this summer. This will be my first summer as a trail guide at BWX, and I am following in the footsteps of my oldest sister, Becky, and my brother-in-law, Erik, who also were guides for BWX. It is exciting for me to think that I will be able to spend so much time in God’s creation and and be challenged to grow in my Faith along with others. Uffda, I almost forgot, I enjoy a good hot-dish, long good-byes, hockey, and ice fishing.  I am looking forward to spending the summer in the north woods.

Meet The 2010 Trail Guides: Pat

My name is Pat Gores.  I am currently a sophomore at Bethel University and I am studying business with an emphasis on finance.  I love hockey, golf and pretty much anything outdoors even if I haven’t tried it yet (I have a dream to skydive, but so far I haven’t had the opportunity).  I was raised in Fargo ND so I am excited to live and work in an environment that has more to offer aesthetically than plains.  My first experience with the Boundary Waters was winter camping so I will always hold that near and dear to my heart.  I believe that one of the most accessible ways to God is through nature and community with fellow believers and I am extremely excited to spend so much time in that potent and amazing mixture this summer.

Meet The 2010 Trail Guides: Carissa

My name is Carissa Bodette and I'm from Lakeville, Minnesota. I'm an Environmental Studies/Third World Studies major with a Spanish minor at Bethel University. I love running cross country, and Nordic skiing basically becomes my life in the winter. I love traveling and being adventurous, and I have a passion for the outdoors, including kayaking, canoeing, slack lining, hiking, and camping. I also have an obsession with visiting MN state parks, especially those with interpretive trails. I love seeing God in every aspect of my life and experiencing the beauty of all of His creation.

Carissa

Meet The 2010 Trail Guides: Jennifer

My name is Jennifer Krussow and I was born and raised in Minnesota. This year I will be completing my pre-requisites for the nursing program at Anoka Ramsey Community College; I will also be finishing their music program next spring. I am a part time nursing assistant and seasonal lifeguard, and in my spare time I love swing dancing, rock climbing, photography, and jamming with friends. I have my fathers feet and my mothers nose. I also jumped around my apartment after Marcus called me and informed me that BWX was offering me a position. I am so excited be submerged in God's beautiful wilderness this summer, and I have no idea what He is going to do, which scares and excites me to no end.

-I am excited to meet everyone! Hope to see you soon.
Jennifer

Trail Guide Job Openings - Summer 2010

We will be recruiting Trail Guides all next week.  Stop by to visit with us about the position.

Monday: Bethel University

Tuesday: Northwestern College

Wednesday: Crown College

Thursday: North Central University

2010 Trip Dates...

We have limited availability for summer 2010.  Call to reserve your trips today!

How you can help...

This year we have two financial goals that we are asking for your help in realizing.  If you would like to contribute to either the BWX Scholarship Fund or the Trail Equipment Capital Project, you can contribute using: checks, cash, stocks, debit-cards, or the United Way.

1)    BWX Scholarship Fund: Each year the BWX helps raise scholarship money so that it can be given it to groups who would otherwise not be able to join us.  We have a strong tradition of providing scholarships to 15% of our groups each summer. This year 15% of our business will be seven trips, which amounts to $21,000. If you would like to sponsor a full trip, you can do so by giving $3,000.

2)    Trail Equipment Capital Project:  After ten years of responsible use, it is necessary to replace much of our trail equipment.  We are asking for financial gifts to help us replace canoes, tents, and sleeping bags.  The total cost of this project is $40,000.

In her own words...

By: Jennifer Grassman, Youth Director

For the past three summers, more than fifty Inner City Minneapolis Latino Youth from Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, Espíritu Juvenil Youth Group, have had the opportunity to participate in the Boundary Waters Experience.   The uniqueness of these trips hasn’t solely been the “shear nature” of the wilderness, but the true exposure through hands on experience with God’s creation. 
The challenges faced throughout the adventure often times present themselves well before we even set foot on trail.  95% of our youth are unable to fund their own trip and lack the proper gear.  BWX has been truly gracious to us by supporting our efforts in the form of scholarships available for all youth even down to helping us get the kids dressed and ready to live in the wilderness for a week.  The challenges faced before, during and after our annual Boundary
Waters Experience trip are what make these kids physically and mentally stronger…and yes, it can happen in one short week!  It is difficult, and all the kids will CONSTANTLY remind you of that, however they are never ready to leave and always eager to return. 

The unique experience felt throughout each group is the true reason why our group returns year after year.  A special family-like bond is developed over the week between each youth, chaperone, and the professionally trained BWX guides through the teamwork, compassion, truth and humility.  We purposely place the youth in pre-planned groups so that they are able to meet new friends. 

What does it mean to experience God?  How will I be able to experience God out in the woods if I don’t at home?  These two questions often run through the minds of our kids because of the reality of their own lives.  Gangs, drugs, depression, pregnancy, immigration, deportation and single parent homes are just a small list of the ever-growing heartaches, which 
our kids are faced with on a daily basis.  To step out of the streets of South Minneapolis and into the beauty of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is like entering into heaven on earth.  Most youth have never seen trees (in mass groupings), swam or fished in glacier created lakes, seen Native American pictographs, fallen asleep to the howl of wolves, woken up in the morning to the call of the Minnesota Loon, experienced numerous mosquito bites or just  “surviving” in the wilderness.  

For myself as a youth director, seeing God in the form of nature is fascinating, however, I truly feel blessed to see Him working in the lives of each and every kid, especially when they have their own chance to be enhanced through such a great opportunity, the Boundary Waters Experience.  

How is the BWX doing?

It is well.

The Boundary Waters Experience (BWX) started ten years ago as a small intimate ministry that was being run out of a garage.  In the first years the BWX facilitated a handful of trips.  The excitement and positive feedback from these initial trips propelled us to invite more people to participate in this experience. 

Over the last decade, we have had the privilege of hosting, serving, loving, and sharing the things of God in the BWCAW with exactly 200 groups of people.  These groups were made up of over 1,600 people who spent over 11,000 days in the wilderness with us. 

They have come from a great breadth of backgrounds, traditions, and ages.  We have served middle school youth, high school youth, college people, families, ministry teams, senior citizens, support groups, and many, many urban and multicultural groups.  In fact, 37% of all of the trips that have participated a BWX trip were multicultural.  

Another statistic that we are quite pleased by is that each year the BWX has donated 15% of our trips to urban and multicultural groups who would not have been able to participate due to financial hardship.  This has been made possible by the generosity of financial supporters of the BWX.  To date we have given away 30 fully scholarshipped trips, serving 240 people!

Celebrating...

The Boundary Waters Experience was wonderful this summer.  The BWX community loved, served, conversed with, taught, and lived in the ways of Jesus with more people than ever before.  We are quite pleased.  God loved, provided for, and was apparent to our campers and staff in many ways.  It was a privilege to share God’s love and ways in His beautiful creation.

The people that composed our Trail Guide Staff this summer were creative in loving each other, campers, and the community of people we interacted with in Ely.  I give much thanks and appreciation to these fantastic people who chose to voluntarily serve as Trail Guides this summer.  Quite simply… they are wonderful folks!

As for my family, we are well.  Summer is a special time for Abby and I, because we get to raise our little girl (Selah) in the woods with ten big sisters and brothers.  They love and treat her well.  Two months hence, she still asks where all of her “friends” are and prays for them by name each night.  We have a great job.

Already we have excitement about what God will do through this ministry in the coming year.  I take pleasure in knowing that there will be many more people joining us on trips, that there will be another staff community that will amaze me, and that all of us together will try to follow our God in the ways of Jesus.  It is for these reasons, that the Boundary Waters Experience exists, and is a special way of living.

Marcus

Thank you to the 2009 BWX Staff...

You all did a great job.  Thanks for serving so many folks this summer.

2010 Summer Registration is open...

The BWX has opened registration for the 2010 summer.  Some of our weeks are filling quickly.  Take a look at the website for further details and pricing.

Trip Dates for 2010

• June 19 - July 25 - (Limited Availability)
• June 26 - July 2
  
• July 3   -  July 9
• July 10 -  July 16
• July 17 -  July 23
• July 24 -  July 30
  
• July 31  -  Aug. 6 - (Limited Availability)

News from the trail...

So far this summer has been the most challenging and most rewarding of my life.  I am continually challenged to grow by our camp director Marcus, my campers, the rest of the BWX staff, and God’s word.  It really is amazing to be part of a community that collectively looks to glorify God while edifying each other and our environment.  I can only hope that as I grow here, the principles we have practiced will carry over in how I love and interact with my community when I go back to school in the fall. 

I have had some amazing experiences here, one of which was with a trip from Hope Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND.  I had the opportunity to co-guide this trip with Mary and we were continually amazed at the fortitude and friendship demonstrated by our campers of whom the average age was fifty-two.  These women all had responsibilities at home, families to take care of and people dependant on them.  The highlight of this trip for me came after a week filled with canoeing, hiking, rock-jumping and Bible studies.  We were able to do a foot-washing and serve the ladies in a symbolic and tangible way in the example that Jesus demonstrated to us in the Bible. 

I also had the opportunity to take out a group from Bloomington Lutheran Church in Bloomington, MN.  This group consisted of a co-ed group of students who grew up in the same church, school, and community and were transitioning from high school to college.  They all played instruments and took every opportunity to sing about anything; as I learned, “there’s a song for everything!”  Overall, the thing that impressed me about the BLS group was their joy.  Despite the fact that we capsized a canoe in the first hour, had a run-in with Hagrid the Forest Ranger, battled rough winds and rain all week, they didn’t complain, but instead kept a positive attitude throughout.  The highlight for me was celebrating Christmas with this group and being able to share the birth and incarnation of Christ with each other.  They were FANTASTIC and I have no doubt that wherever God leads them they will affect the world. 

Steph Lally

News from the trail...

I have had a great first couple of weeks at BWX.  The wilderness has been a great setting to learn and teach about God and life.  I have had the privilege, thus far, of taking two inner-city high school/middle school groups of boys out on the trail.  I have been blessed with amazing weather and even better people.

The first group was six young men from the Cristo Rey Jesuit School in Minneapolis.  We learned a lot about nature, life, God and leadership.  It was a great experience filled with challenging wilderness and interesting conversation.  We even survived a very intense lighting storm laughing through the whole thing to Chuck Norris jokes.  They never ceased to amaze me, and I have never laughed so hard in my life.

Next, I took a group of Junior High guys from San Miguel Middle School in Chicago, IL.  This group was comprised of half 2nd year Boundary Waters Vet, and half first time adventurers.  We spent a lot of time hiking and paddling trying to explore everything the wilderness had to offer.  Not only did the guys learn from me, but I learned how to catch the Holy Spirit and what it sounds like to ‘WADE IN THE WAAAATER!’.  It was another great experience and I can only hope that the rest of my trips will be as exciting, eventful, inspiring, and fun as the last two have been.

Nick Nolting

Views from the Trail...

Steph Lally...

My name is Steph Lally and I hail out of Princeton, New Jersey.   I’m a senior at Crown College which is located thirty minutes west of the twin cities.  I have two majors in business administration and Christian studies and three minors in human resource management, psychology and counseling.  I love working with people, learning from them and building relationships.  Athletics is a huge part of my life and I love integrating it with my faith in Jesus Christ by challenging my body through physical competitions.  I am beyond excited to work with BWX this summer in God’s creation doing something I love to do. 

Cooper Ternes...

My name is Cooper - I just graduated from Bethel University in Theology and Philosophy.  I am really looking forward to my first summer at the BWX! I've never worked in the BWCA before, but I have worked in camping ministry for about five years and I absolutely love it.  Some things about me; I really enjoy wood working.  Other things I like to do are to cook and make music. I love getting to know new people. And being out in God's creation.  I love to talk about new ideas and perspectives. Also I am looking forward to both the community of BWX and the solitude of the BWCA. Most of all though I am exited to see both what God has for me and what he has for me to do this summer.

Nick Nolting...

My name is Nick Nolting and I am  22 year old student at Miami University in Oxford OH.  I am a Business-Economics and Decision Sciences Double major.  I am 6' 6'', I require an extra long sleeping bag, I wear size 38'' pants, and no...I don't play basketball. 

I have been attending the Boundary Waters Experience since it's infancy about 6 or 7 years ago.  I have had the pleasure to find myself as well as the love of Jesus in this amazing place.  While in the Boundary Waters you are constantly surrounded by the presence and beauty of God.

I am ecstatic about meeting new people to share the beautiful wilderness, as well as the love of God with.

See You Out There...

Jeff Sugden...

My name is Jeff Sugden.  I am a 3rd year student at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI where I am majoring in Computer Engineering.  I am also a student intern at GE Aviation, where I help design electrical testing equipment for avionic components.

I enjoy many outdoor activities including, cross country skiing, scuba diving, rock/ice climbing, biking, and canoing / kayaking.  One of my favorite things to do is go on trips to explore new places.  I am always amazed at the beauty that God displays through nature.  I also like to talk and discuss ideas with other people.  This will be my first summer with the BWX, and I am excited to meet and explore the wilderness with all of you this summer.

Erin Gilliland...

Hi my name is Erin Gilliland, and I am from North Minneapolis, Minnesota. I will be a senior at Bethel University this fall, majoring in Studio Art with minors in Communication and Leadership Studies.

This is my second summer with BWX, and I am so excited to experience it again. It is such a blessing to be able to live up here, serve this camp, and meet so many people while doing it!

Here are a couple things that I absolutely love: being outside and alive in God's creation, spending time with friends and family, eating ice cream, being spontaneous, making art, and having long conversations about absolutely everything.

The Boundary Waters Experience is a place that I have come to connect with God in a different way than I have ever experienced.  Having the opportunity to discuss, question, learn and love in community this summer is one of the things I am excited about most! Hope to see you up here!

Chip Addington...

My name is Chip Addington and this will be my third summer working at BWX. This summer I will be supporting the camp by being its Guide Team Leader, helping to manage base camp details and support the guides, plan routes and building the overall community of the camp. Its an experience that I am really pumped for, and I am truly looking forward to it.

I am currently a student at Bethel University in the Twin Cities, and will be a senior this fall majoring in both Studio Art and Environmental studies. Making, creating, and exploring are all passions of mine, I love to travel and experience new places and people, and do things I've never done before. I can't wait to see you all in the woods.

Couple of good men...

The BWX is still accepting applications from men for the Trail Guide position for the 2009 summer.  If you are interested in working with us, please let me know.  If not, please pass the work along to folks that you know who may be interested.  Thanks, Marcus

Kristin Parden...

My name is Kristin Parden and I'm originally from a wonderful area of North Idaho called Coeur d'Alene. I attended the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, where I studied Chemistry and learned a lot about relating to people who are both very similar to myself and very different. In addition to the outdoors, I like to read, swing dance, draw, and hold long theological conversations. This past year I have been working as a nursing assistant in my home town's emergency room and I will be attending medical school this fall.

I love outdoor activities, especially canoeing, downhill skiing, and hiking, and I am so excited to be a part of BWX this summer! I feel God's overwhelming peace and power when I am out in nature and there is nothing else on earth that compares. It is my desire to experience the challenges of canoeing while growing in faith with others.    

Mary Saviano...

My name is Mary Saviano and I'm a music student at North Central University.  I have a wide variety of interest.  I enjoy traveling, playing piano, reading, being outdoors, meeting new people, and doing almost anything that presents a challenge.  I love helping other people overcome challenges and do things they never thought they'd be able to do.

I spent this past summer working with BWX, and the experience gave me a whole new perspective on God and nature.  Being so close to His creation, I realized that I didn't have to go "searching" for Him... He was right there with me.  Through the things around me, I could see His power, goodness, and beauty.  Instead of feeling like I had to do something special in order to please Him, I realized that I, too, am part of His creation, and I please Him just by being alive and loving Him.  On trail I watched Him work in the lives of campers, leading them to depend on Him, and trust each other through the challenges they faced.  It's an experience I wouldn't trade for anything, and I'm looking forward to going back.

Meet the BWX Guides...

We are starting a series of posts to introduce you to the BWX 2009 Guide Staff.  In the next weeks, each guide will post a bit about themselves for you to get acquainted with them.

New Website...

The BWX has launched a new website this week.  It has many new features, including videos, resources for leaders and campers, as well as a way for people to ask questions directly to Trail Guides, former clients, and the BWX staff.  Check it out. 

Trail Video

BWX Fall Newsletter

Download News Letter

Wilderness to cyberspace...

The BWX has gone electronic.  The camp has some new tools to help people learn about the ministry, stay connected with friends, share stories and pictures from the trail, watch our video, and share it all with new people.

To the right of this posting, you will see links to our group site at Facebook, our video in You Tube, and our website.

We hope that you will enjoy these, use these, and share these places.

It begins...

Politics are among of my favorite things.  I love to think about them, to talk about them, and to learn about them.  In the course of my friendship with Doug Pagitt, we have had many "spirited" conversations about government and politics.  We have seen eye to eye on some issues and disagreed wholeheartedly on others.  At the end of each conversation I have left with a stronger friendship and a broader view of our system.  Today, Doug has announced his bid for the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2010.  This is a good thing. 

http://dougpagitt.com/

Coming along well...

Ross' new cabin next door to the camp is getting close to being done.  It is fun to make the progress...
 

Introducing...

The 2009 BWX Guide Team Leader is Chip Addington.  Chip has been a wonderful part of our Guide Staff for the past two summers.  He brings much to the ministry component of leading trips, he is a skilled outdoors man, and he also has deep knowledge of wilderness medical procedures.  In this job, Chip will work with the Guide staff to ensure a high quality of trip content through planning both the spiritual and physical components of our experiences.  We're glad to have him.

After a long & good summer...

Canoes for Sale...

The BWX is selling it's  We-no-nah "Tuf-Weave Boundary Waters" canoes with portage pads and skid plates.  Three are 2007 models ($1,275) and one is 2008 ($1,375). The canoes cost $2,129 new.  They are in great shape, and were used by a camp in this summer.  The canoes are in the Twin Cities now.  Call Marcus at (612) 743-7700 or e-mail at bwx@mac.com.

A better place to be...

Last week Abby and I were thinking about being somewhere else - anywhere else.  It seems that the animals conferred about messing with us.  It started out being kind of fun, when two wolves came out of the woods onto the road while I was driving to the dump.  I stopped to take a look, and they came closer.  I realized that they were sniffing at the bed of the truck, where the garbage was that I was hauling.  I moved on.  The next three were less than fun.   While brushing my teeth a spider dropped a line from the ceiling and ended up sitting on my toothbrush, which was in my hand.  After that, Abby was in the bathroom, when the ceiling vent swung open under the weight of the mouse that rode it down.  The real prize happened while we were driving, and a snake came out of the engine and began slithering up the front window.  It was an arm length away.  It stuck its toung out.  I hate snakes.

Thoughts on "A Christianity Worth Believing"...

By: Stacy Schnaare
North Central University

This year the BWX staff has been reading and discussing Doug Pagitt’s book, A Christianity Worth Believing.  The underlying theme of this book is that there is more to the Christian life and Christian living than our fallen state and following static rules.  Christianity is a vibrant way to live in the ways of Christ and is a hopeful and positive experience, to live in the Kingdom of God.  So often, the culture that many of us have been raised in emphasizes our inherent evil nature and paints a bleak picture, one in which we are depraved of any ability to connect with God without fulfilling certain qualities or conditions first.  Pagitt explains a view of Christianity that is filled with hope for life of living in the ways of God now, rather than biding our time here, depraved and hopeless, until one day everything will be perfect.  God wants us to live with Him now and invites us into that journey and adventure, integrated into what God is doing!

The BWX staff has enjoyed and been challenged by the concepts in Pagitt’s book and would recommend reading this work.

Nice letter from one of our groups...

Hello Everyone,

I made it back from our Boundary Waters trip last weekend.  I think I could live up there.  I  took a group of 8 kids/adults from our church on a wilderness ministry trip for four days.  The "roughing it" part was a little more than I thought, but it was no less than perfect.  I didn't think any trip could top the Grand Canyon or Australia, but the past four days were by far the most memorable and spiritual journey I have ever been on.  I have attached some of the pictures I had developed. As soon as everyone else turns theirs in, we are going to put them in a slide show and present them after church in the next few weeks.  Hopefully we can get another trip together for next year.  The kids stubbornly came off the water saying they would rather have had the week long trip and what was I thinking only planning for 4 days.  I am using that to measure the sucess of the trip.  I highly encourage you to think about using the Boundary Waters Experience organization to experience the Boundary Waters.  You will experience more than if you just went on your own.   Family...think about this for a get-a-way possibility.  The website is www.bwexperience.com.  Enjoy the pictures.   Thank you Boundary Waters Experience Staff.  We are praying for the continued success of your group and mission.  You have an unbelievable thing going.  We can't thank you enough--especially Jacob.

God Bless,

Jessica Ollinger

Happy Birthday to Brittaney...

Happy 21st Birthday to Chip...

BWX Olymipcs

  Congratulations to the folks that participated in the BWX Half Marathon that runs from the Base Camp at Mine Lake, 13.1 miles to Ojibway Lake along the Fernberg Road just east of Ely Minnesota.

 

A family walk in the woods...

We went for a walk to gather berries on Ojibway Lake Road yesterday.  Selah picked rocks until she figured out that she could eat the raspberries.  It was a nice time.

Congratulations to Elyse and Damien...

Last week Elyse and Damien got married in a beautiful setting filled with loved ones.  Abby and I were able to fly to Colorado and participate in the festivities.  In addition to Elyse, Abby, and I being there from the BWX, Matt Peterson, and Benny were also a part of it.  It was great fun, and good to happen.

As a staff, we have been reading and chatting about this...

Doug Pagitt:  "A Christianity Worth Believing"

Soon members of our staff will share thoughts about the book and our conversations on this blog...

Views from the trail...

Jacob Annis (one of our second year Trail Guides) captured some nice images from the Basswood Lake area.