Boundary Waters Dogsledding & Skiing - Family

This one week dogsled expedition in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters is perfect for small family groups and parent child pairs to enjoy time together and get outdoors in winter.

The Boundary Waters is a million acre wilderness that in winter offers amazing expanses of frozen lakes and crystalline mornings. Wolves are one of the few species up about in winter and it is not uncommon to hear their howl or see their tracks. Sparkling snowscapes, frosty pines and the sound of snow beneath your skis will be etched in you mind as you look back on traveling in one of the America’s last true wildernesses.

Family courses
Watch your child rise to the occasion and your parent face new challenges. Family OB courses breed inspiration, mutual respect and the joy of shared memories. Expect to share time with family members to mix with other families and to have the opportunity for a “duo” rather that a solo. These courses do not offer any family counseling services are not intended to serve families in crisis.

The Outward Bound Difference
You should know that this will not be a guided trip, it is a real expedition. That means you and everyone in your group will participate in everything from cooking to navigation to learning knots. You should also know that a team effort means sharing the load and working to make sure that the gear is divided appropriately, that the team works together to reach goals each day.

Course Description
Learn cross country skiing, how to fell a tree, split wood and build fires. Get acquainted with dogsledding commands and sled driving techniques and surprise yourself as you learn that staying warm in a winter environment is more attainable than you thought. Spend the first night at our basecamp acclimatizing and skill building. Then set off on a 4-5 day expedition. The minute you touch the sled with the first load of gear, the dogs awaken and with each new load, the volume of their barking increases. They show off their agility by twisting and leaping straight up from their nests in the snow. Their joyous energy is infectious and the rush of that initial launch from camp will be unforgettable. Skiers travel in front and the dog teams travel behind, students take turn driving the team. Make camp in a sheltered bay, cook dinner in a canvas wall tent or around a fire…all under a night sky often streaked with spectacular northern lights. Not long before returning to base you participate in a solo or for family courses, likely a duo. Spend the night at an assigned camp with your own saw, matches, cook pot and meal. Instructors check in regularly and most students find solo to be the unexpected highlight of their course.

Winter Living
With our training and equipment, you’ll find you can live comfortably in cold temperatures. You will learn how to work with your own body heat to stay warm, how to eat foods that keep you warm, and how to regulate your body temperature using clothing layers and exercise. As you travel, you may find that your ideas about “comfortable” temperatures may shift. Warm days often mean slushy snow and slow skiing and sledding—colder days may mean smooth skiing on crisp, fast snow.

Setting up a snug winter camp takes time, energy, and teamwork. In the late afternoon, you’ll look for a sheltered spot with good firewood. As you set up camp, your group will divide duties—caring for the dogs, setting up sleeping shelters, constructing a kitchen area, cooking, and gathering, sawing and splitting wood for the evening fire. Then it’s time to enjoy the rewards of your labor as skiers and mushers eat a hot meal by the fire and share stories of the day.

To enroll in this course click the enroll button next to the course dates that work for you. To shop comparatively on line visit our Advanced Course Finder or better yet call one of our expert Admission Advisers at 866-467-7651. Course tuitions listed below do not include our Application Fee or Transportation Fee.

Region: Minnesota

Activities: Skiing, dogsledding, campcraft, solo, wilderness marathon

Additional Information:
Application Fee
Transportation Fee

Dates	Days	Age	Focus	Location	Tuition	Course	Enroll
12/27/08 to 01/03/09	8	14+	Family	Minnesota	$1295.00	MYF921
03/08/09 to 03/15/09	8	14+	Family	Minnesota	$1295.00	MYF926