Monthly newsletter for Voyageur Outward Bound alumni, parents, alumni staff, donors, and friends.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wildfire Update

Thank you to the Voyageur Outward Bound Community for your incredible support and care as we navigated the recent Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Fire Event. 

Rarely does the US Forest Service issue a full closure of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), and yet wildfires caused by lightning strike forced such an event this July. For only the second time in recent history, on July 14th, the BWCAW was evacuated and visitors to the area restricted. As a result, Voyageur Outward Bound staff and crews returned to Homeplace and as a result programs were suspended due to air quality and wildfires for the following 10 days. 

All students and staff returned to safety and the team prepared for the possibility of evacuation. We are grateful that Homeplace Basecamp structures experienced no evacuation order or fire or smoke issues. Programming resumed on July 25th and we were beyond excited to welcome the Rose-Hulman Institute Of Technology on an adapted course in Voyageurs National Park. The US Forest Service issued a phased reopening of the area that included 423,000 acres Southeastern Boundary Waters on July 30th and we welcomed crews back into the Boundary Waters Wilderness.

We are grateful for the emergency and fire personnel who came to the region to support the wildfire efforts; to the greater Ely area friends; to our staff, students and families; and to the amazing Outward Bound community.

From air purifiers to transport to payroll assistance for affected instructors and course directors, we have moved forward to adapt to the impact of the fires and we are grateful for all that have offered their support.

We invite you to join us at our Community ZOOM event on August 17 to hear from Arty Rothery, Safety Director, to learn more about specific response activity, as well as from Becky Rom and Jack Lee about the proposed mining implications in the Boundary Waters. It is a time of resilience and action - join us as we exercise the ethos of which we teach.

With pride and perseverance, together we go forward!

VOBS Emergency Relief Fund

The Wildfires in the BWCAW have a significant financial impact to our organization. Budget repercussions include:

• program revenue loss from course cancellations,
  

• additional spend for adjusted travel, transport, and accommodation for students, air quality response and fire prevention/evacuation preparation and action,
  

• and employee compensation.

If you are interested in donating to the VOBS Emergency Relief Fund, please use the link to the digital form below or contact a member of our development team at development@vobs.org or 651-401-0637.

Who Let the Dogs Out?

You know Staff Village. And, Student Village. But how about Dog Village? It's something special too!

Voyageur Outward Bound School is excited to celebrate the newest addition to the Homeplace dog yard: Amber’s Run, a new, spacious area where our favorite furry coworkers can run, socialize, train, and enjoy enriching activities.

Made possible through a generous donor, dedicated staff, and an incredible team of volunteers, Amber’s Run is already making a meaningful difference in the lives of our sled dogs.

“We’re able to take on projects like this because people believe in what we do and want to help make it happen,” Winter Program Director Nora DuBois shared. “So many improvements we’ve made over the years wouldn’t have been possible without that support. We’re incredibly fortunate to have a community that cares so deeply about giving our dogs the very best.”

MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 6:00-7:00 PM CST

A Special Hybrid Community Zoom Event

Join virtually or in person at the Twin Cities Center

For those in the Twin Cities area, we will be hosting a viewing party at the Voyageur Outward Bound Twin Cities Center complete with snacks and beverages. Join us at 5:30 pm to take action and join us for a watch party of the 6:00 pm Zoom.

Resilience in Action: A Conversation on What’s Happening in the BWCA and How You Can Help

Hear from Voyageur Outward Bound Safety Director Arty Rothery as he shares the impact of the current BWCA wildfires on VOBS and how we’re continuing to provide adventures with a purpose to our students.

Executive Director of Voyageur Outward Bound, Jack Lee, and Becky Rom, National Chair of the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters, will also discuss what the current change in legislation means for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and VOBS.