BWCA program gives Cook County students hands-on outdoor experience

Eighth-grade and high school students from Cook County Schools spent their final two days of the school year outside the classroom and in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The program, called “Boundary Waters Is Our Backyard,” is part of the Friends of the Boundary Waters education program.

Before the trip, Friends of the Boundary Waters held a series of skills sessions to prepare students. The sessions covered tent setup, map-and-compass navigation, portaging and route planning.

“Wilderness experiences, I think, have such an incredible impact on students,” Sarah Bransford, Cook County education and outreach manager, told WTIP.

The groups included student leaders from the high school’s AP Environmental Science class, who helped guide younger students during the trip.

Students were outfitted by Sawbill Canoe Outfitters and guided by Border Lakes Tour Company. Friends of the Boundary Waters requires trips to be led by guides trained as wilderness first responders who also hold lifeguarding or wilderness water safety certifications.

Border Lakes Tour Company was founded by former staff of YMCA Camp Menogyn, which is one of many partners Friends of the Boundary Waters uses for trips into the Boundary Waters.

Border Lakes Tour Company was founded by former staff members of YMCA Camp Menogyn and is one of several partners Friends of the Boundary Waters uses for wilderness trips.

Bransford also provides equipment through a gear library to help ensure students are prepared.

“All those things so that they can really enjoy their time out there, instead of just sending them and hoping that they have a good time,” Bransfords said. “How can we make sure that it is the best-case trip for them?”

This was the second year Friends of the Boundary Waters conducted trips with Cook County Schools. Organizers hope to continue the program and expand opportunities in the future.

“We’re really looking to do more experiences at the high school, so looking at some more day trip opportunities,
Bransford said.

Nearly 20 students participated in this year’s outing. The trip began in the Tofte area of the BWCA, with four groups taking routes tailored to their interests and experience goals.

“We did give the students the opportunity to share with us what type of trip they were looking for,” Bransford said. “I didn’t see the other two groups after we kind of went our separate ways, and then there was a fourth group who started on Baker Lake and paddled back to the outfitter on Sawbill. So we all did our own thing, and it was really fun to hear how every group had a different experience, which is what we were hoping for.”

Friends of the Boundary Waters’ education program works with students throughout Minnesota. This year, the organization expects to serve about 5,000 students, including 270 who will participate in Boundary Waters trips.

“More than half the kids in public schools have never been into the Boundary Waters itself here in Cook County,” Friends of the Boundary Waters Executive Director Chris Knopf told WTIP.

Bransford also works with students in Grand Portage, Duluth, and Fond du Lac.

This year’s program was funded through the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. However, funding for next year was removed by the Minnesota Legislature despite the commission’s recommendation to continue support.

WTIP spoke with Bransford about the trip, the bugs and the number of cookies consumed by campers. Audio of that conversation can be found below.

Josh Hinke June 17, 2026