Incoming Freshman Noblitt Scholars from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana, completed a leadership adventure like no other in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and at Voyageur Outward Bound School's Homeplace in Ely.
The group's expedition challenged students to reflect on their place in the world and called upon each individual to practice compassion, resilience, teamwork, and leadership. Participants developed character and community, and together, they learned to survive, adapt, and thrive in one of the most beautiful, interesting, and challenging places on earth.
Voyageur Outward Bound School canoeing courses are un-resupplied, so the groups paddled with absolutely everything they needed for their entire expedition. This type of extended wilderness experience, along with our highly-trained Instructors, helped students develop and refine expedition skills, cultivate a deep connection with the environment, form meaningful friendships, and develop a better understanding of themselves through challenge and discovery.
During their canoeing expedition, students learned a variety of paddling skills to contend with diverse weather and waterway conditions as they moved from campsite to campsite. Paddling partners worked together to steer and power their boats through rivers, swamps and lakes, usually traveling between 8 and 20 miles a day. Students also learned how to portage, navigate with a map and compass, cook over a fire or stove, and employed Leave No Trace® wilderness ethics.
Their course concluded with a graduation ceremony and celebration dinner at Homeplace.
Click on each image below to view a collection of crew photos.
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