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Voyageur Outward Bound School
Photo Credit: John Ratzloff

The leaves have changed and the mornings have become crisp with cool air (a little too early if you ask us Minnesotans). All the tires of our ATV’s have gone flat. The dry dust has settled back into the circles. This means only one thing… winter season is around the corner and it’s time to start running and training our furry friends again!

So much has happened since the last update, so let me catch you up.

We are working on building 10 new dog houses for the yard. Our current houses are quickly losing their integrity. We are hoping to build 10 houses a year, with all houses being replaced in the next seven years. The plan is to stagger the houses so they do not all crumble at once. Our students (specifically Pathfinder and Open World Learning) and our Alumni have contributed their talents in helping paint and assemble the houses as service projects.
Photo Credit: Theo Theobald

The Mushers Cabin is getting a much-needed face-lift. Not much has been done to maintain the cabin over the years and cold Minnesota winters. We are remedying that by putting on a new roof and giving the logs some much needed maintenance. Some of the old dog signs will get restored in order to honor our past dogs during this project.


Our yard is well seasoned! We have 20+ dogs coming up to retirement age at the end of this winter. We will be looking for forever homes for our team. If you or someone you know is looking for a new best friend, all available dogs can be found here. They can’t wait to meet you!
Photo Credit: John Ratzloff

At the beginning of April, we welcomed four new dogs to our yard. Their lineage is from Russia and Baffin Island. The long legs and thick coats of these Polar Alaskan Huskies makes them ideal studs for future breeding in our yard. We are very excited to get this wonderful donation from our friend Mille Porsild. Thanks Mille!

We have six new staff members joining the winter team. Katie Dyer, Trevor McGinnis, Lance, Justin, and Christina Richard will be new Winterns and Emily Shames is joining as an Assistant Instructor. We are very excited to have such an impressive incoming crew!

Taking care of a dog (much like caring for another human) is a full-time job. Taking care of 70+ dogs is an impossible task for one person to do alone. We are exceptionally lucky to have so many people that go above and beyond to help, even when it isn’t their job. 

I want to send out a special thanks to Mandi Bendel for all her help this summer keeping our dogs happy! To Rachel Hedlund, Andrea Doerr, Sammie Kapaun, and Eric Messerschmidt for picking up the pieces when needed (and it’s often needed). And to Ben Rutherford for jumping in with enthusiasm to help get things ready for the winter. 

To everyone else who I know I am forgetting, to anyone that has stopped by to say hello or gone in and given a late-night pet to the dogs, I thank you. Voyageur Outward Bound School thanks you. And above all, our dogs thank you.
We couldn’t do it without you!

Bud Ahrens

Program Director - Ely Winter
Bud.Ahrens@vobs.org
      Photo Credit: John Ratzloff
DOG SLEDDING: Disconnect, to reconnect.

Brian Campeau is a born and raised Californian, Veteran, Police Officer, Filmmaker, Small-Business Owner and as of last February, a dog sledding VOBS alumnus.  Last year, Brian found himself searching for as he put it, “a need to disconnect, to reconnect.” Last month I had a chance to chat with Brian about his first visit to Minnesota and his first Dog Sled Expedition with VOBS.

How to Physically Prepare for a Dog Sledding Expedition

Sammie Kapaun, Course Advisor, Instructor and Dog Traininer here at VOBS, shares her experiences during a MN winter and how to really get the most out of your dog sledding expedition!
Can't get enough of our sled dogs? Join us on a course this winter!

View Course Finder Here

Boundary Waters Dog Sledding & Cross Country Skiing for Adults (ages 18+, 23+, 30+ and 45+)
Available Dates:
  • Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan. 3, 2019 (18+ and 30+ options)
  • Jan. 5-12, 2019 (18+)
  • Jan. 12-19, 2019 (18+ and 30+ options)
  • Feb. 2-16, 2019 (18+)
  • Feb. 9-16, 2019 (45+)
  • Feb. 23 - Mar. 2, 2019 (23+)
  • Mar. 2-9, 2019 (18+)
  • Mar. 9-16, 2019 (18+)
  • Mar. 16-23, 2019 (30+)

Boundary Waters Dog Sledding & Cross Country Skiing (ages 16-18)
Available Dates:
  • Dec. 27, 2018 - Jan. 10, 2019
  • Dec. 28, 2018 - Jan. 4, 2019


If you or someone you know could provide a loving home to one of our sled dogs, please contact Bud Ahrens at bud.ahrens@vobs.org or call (218) 491-6784.

To see a list of available dogs and to learn more about them,
click here.  


Unable to Adopt a Sled Dog but still want to help? Dedicate a donation to the dog yard! Click the "donate here" box and in the special instructions section, indicate "I would like my donation to go to the dog yard."