Protecting the BWCA: Students Learn, Lead, and Take Action
For more than 20 years, thousands of Project Success students have explored the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) as part of our summer outdoor adventure programming. More than 200 students plan to join us in the BWCA this summer on a week-long expedition meant to inspire students to set goals, practice support, and experience success in one of the most beautiful settings in Minnesota. Getting out of their day-to-day comfort zones open students’ worldviews as they find new ways to thrive, and gives them the opportunity to practice skills learned in their Project Success workshops throughout the year. Students spend the days paddling canoes on beautiful lakes, hiking wooded trails, and moving through the wilderness to get to a new campsite each day, all while making new friends and building confidence in themselves along the way.
Our students continue to be vocal with us about the impact their BWCA experiences have on their lives. One student shared: “Every moment [in the Boundary Waters] felt free and adventurous and I finally felt like myself. It was amazing to finally be free of the burden of expectations and society. When I’m there, every task is necessary and it makes it feel like each day is worth living. Every time I’ve gone, my mental health has drastically improved, for this is the part of my life that I was missing.” – Jace Chamberlain
The trips help cultivate a sense of belonging for students where 70% of them agree that they have improved their ability to get along with new people. Students have a chance to connect with their purpose on these trips with over 60% of students reporting that the experience helped them discover new strengths and develop personal goals. Students frequently report that the experience helped them build resilience and provided a “mental reset” through time spent in nature.
This January, Friends of the Boundary Waters hosted an inspiring rally at the Minnesota State Capitol to raise awareness about the BWCA and the potential harm that mining near this protected area could cause to the watershed. This year’s event was designed to be especially educational for students, offering a unique opportunity to dive into civics and environmental advocacy. Jenny Batten, Senior Program Manager for Expeditions, helped coordinate with Project Success students who had attended one of our Boundary Waters trips and had shown a passion and love for the BWCA to join the rally to share about their own experiences. Eight students from Project Success spent the day sharing their stories and gaining a deeper understanding of the legislative process—all while learning how to protect one of Minnesota’s most cherished natural treasures.
In the morning, students participated in a session led by Friends of the Boundary Waters that went over the political process, and how to advocate for a bill to be passed. Each student had the chance to speak about why the environment and clean water are important, as well as learn more about the mining proposed near the BWCA and the potential pollutants threatening the area. A state senator came to speak with the students about his connection to the BWCA and why protecting it is important to him. Students collaborated to come up with ways they could be advocates for the environment and specifically the BWCA.
In the afternoon, the rotunda in the capital building came alive as the rally officially kicked off. Two PS students, Jace Chamberlain and Eliza Kronzer, were selected to address the crowd; they spoke together as a team and received a standing ovation. They are both highly motivated advocates of the Boundary Waters after experiencing it for themselves with Project Success. Eliza had been selected to go to Washington, D.C., with Save the Boundary Waters to advocate for the BWCA last fall.
After the rally, the entire group followed the Friends of the Boundary Waters canoe as they portaged it to the Governor’s office. Students wrote postcards to Governor Tim Walz, advocating for the protection of the BWCA and surrounding areas from copper-sulfide mining, and left them for him at his office.
The message from the rally was clear: Minnesotans are committed to protecting their greatest natural resource. Project Success students who have had a chance to experience the Boundary Waters through our expeditions are some of the fiercest advocates for protecting this area. By showing up, engaging with legislators, and sharing their stories, students took an important step toward protecting this cherished area and making their voices heard. Our team was thrilled to support these students as they advocated for something for which they have become passionate!
If you would like to support our efforts to bring middle schoolers to the Boundary Waters with a donation.