Environmental Programs
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Minnesota's northern forests are truly a place for curiosity, discovery and exploration. Since 1973, Widjiwagan has offered elementary and secondary school groups of up to 60 students the opportunity to experience the magic and wonder of the north through our residential environmental education program.
The program lessons come alive at Widjiwagan because we combine environmental education with experiential learning. Each activity is an opportunity for discovery and we keep the idea of "learning by doing" central to our philosophy.
We've designed our curriculum to increase each student's knowledge and awareness of the natural world through a combination of educational and recreational activities. In addition, we believe strongly in individualized instruction. Consequently, many of our lessons take place in small "study groups," where student to staff ratios are usually 8 to 1 or lower. Most schools spend five days at Widjiwagan, arriving on Monday and departing on Friday. However, we do offer shorter or longer stays.
We offer a wide range of presentations and activities that take advantage of Widji's unique wilderness setting. We encourage you to tailor your experience to fit your school's curriculum in order to build upon your week, long after you leave Widjiwagan. Examples of our activities and presentations include:
Animal Studies • Boreal Black Bears •Glacial Geology • Forest Studies • Cross Country Skiing • Freshwater Studies • Eco-Hike • Global Citizenship • Environmental Simulation • Map & Compass • Global Environmental Issues • Night Hike • The Night Sky • Canoeing • Ojibwa Heritage • Ropes & Initiatives • Predator & Prey • Voyageurs of the North • Snow Crystal Study • Wilderness Survival • Wolves of the North • Quiz Bowl • Finnish Sauna • Northwood’s Birds
Widji's cabins are rustic and cozy with heat and electricity. They are furnished with bunk beds, twin cots and small dressers. Each cabin has an outhouse situated nearby and we also have a centrally located Wash House with lights, flush toilets, sinks and showers to meet your needs.
We focus on creating hearty, healthy and delicious food. Our food service staff makes most meals from scratch. Meals are served family style and there is always a vegetarian option. We can usually accommodate other dietary needs if we know about them in advance.
Widjiwagan encourages and seeks out collaborations with schools that work with low-income and otherwise challenged youth, especially from St. Paul and northeastern Minnesota. To help facilitate this, we make available financial aid money from our "campership fund" to some groups depending on the need. These funds come from donations to our annual Y Partners Campaign. Arrangements for financial aid are made as a part of the registration process and are usually based on the number of students that qualify for free and reduced lunch programs.
"This is an excellent, well-run program staffed by organized, enthusiastic, and well-informed people who clearly love teaching and working with children."
— Parent, Tesseract School
