Ecology of the Boreal Forest Wilderness Canoe Trip
This wilderness experience begins with travel by van 850 miles north of Chicago to the edge of the Prairie Forest Forest near Red Lake in northwestern Ontario, Canada. The group then spends eight days in wilderness travel by canoe in Woodland Caribous Provincial Park. Students see few signs of human activity during the experience in a landscape where nature is dominant. Students navigate pristine waters, hear wolves howl and feast on fresh fish every day.
Students receive credit for two required courses in two weeks in cooperation with the Department of Exercise Science. This trip is held every other year, the last two weeks of summer before fall semester begins. Led by Professors Al Bjorkman of Biology and John Hjelm of Exercise Science. The next trip is scheduled for the summer of 2010.
The Next Great Adventure: August 7 to 21, 2010
Fulfill your GE Natural Lab Science requirement with the wilderness experience of a lifetime. Biology majors can use this course toward their major as an upper division course. As it is listed as a Quad A Fall 2010 course, the course is essentially over before the Fall 2010 semester begins freeing up time for added courses. Tuition is also covered as part of each students Fall block of course tuition. The only further cost is for the trip itself, approximately $1,550.
The course has always included students who have never spent a day camping nor would consider themselves athletes. It creates positive, life-long memories for those who are lucky enough to go. The course is limited to only 8 students so early registration with a $250 deposit is required.
Bring a positive attitude, flexibility, willingness to participate as a full partner in group activity and dynamics. You will develop an ability to deal with a wide range of situations: clouds and blue sky, rain, deep restful sleep and sore muscles, joy and sorrow, outdoor toilets, beautiful sunsets and overcast skies, hunger and fullness, no cellphone or wireless service, solitude and group activities, long tough days and easy days.