Tuesday, July 26, 2011

BWCA CIT Trip

The CITs have returned from a successful boundary waters trip safe and sound. Trip staff have been preparing all session for the week long excursion to Northern Minnesota and Canada. This was the first year that Agawak outfitted itself with food and gear, still using Gunflint Outfitters for canoes and accommodations.

There were four groups this year, Group One led by Johannes & Rachel, Group Two by Josh & Bridget, Group Three by Amy & Laura, and Group Four by Emma, Jordyn, & Casey. All groups were out for 3-nights and 4 days canoeing the expanse of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The trip departed on Wednesday, July 20th around 9am. The bus stopped for the traditional McDonald's lunch on the way up & continued on its way North to Grand Marais, MN. The girls hung out at the lodge watching movies & playing games, getting to bed early to prep for the early morning wake up to head out in canoes. The four groups were dropped off with boats and gear at their entry points & their journeys began.


Weather was generally good overall with lots of sun the first two days, cooling off a bit for the second two. The groups met up on Sunday afternoon after being shuttled back to the lodge. Excitement and stories ensued along with songs and cheers that the groups had made up about the trip. The final night was spent together in the Canoer cabins. Busses rolled back into camp around 2pm on the 25th being met with hugs and greetings from the awaiting camp.

Watch for more pictures to be uploaded soon!

Friday, July 8, 2011

Porcupine Mountains Trip #1

Mac and Cheese, Cheesecake, Brats, & S’mores were just some of the fabulous dishes the participants of the Porcupine Mountains backpacking trip got to indulge on while in the wilderness. 30 individuals- 24 campers & 6 staff members participated in a 3 day- 2 night backpacking trip to the Porcupine Mountains of Upper Michigan.
This was the first intensive open-sign-up trip that Agawak has offered in many, many years and will certainly not be the last. Ages of participants ranged from 3rd grade to sophomores in high school and all campers experienced much of the same aspects of the trip. A few of the highlights included learning to filter water with a purifier, cooking over a fire or camp stove, dealing with leeches and more mosquitoes than the Amazon could offer, but more importantly having fun, meeting new people, and experiencing the outdoors like never before.
Participants traveled to the state park together, ate a group lunch of pitas, pb&j, honey, crackers & applesauce at the Visitor Center, and proceeded to break up into the three groups that they would be hiking with for the next 2 1/2 days. The groups divided up group gear & headed out on three different routes- reuniting on the final day of the trip at the Lake of the Clouds overlooking the entire park. The groups saw the beauty of early morning sunrises over lakes, cool evenings gathered around the fire, or deep discussions while sitting in a circle on a rocky ridge enjoying the tradition of upside-down Frisbee cheesecake.
Thursday morning brought a sense of accomplishment and pride for the campers as many had completed their first camping trip- let alone, a 3 day intensive hiking trip! You go girls!