sparks: who are they?

For many young people, it’s a single moment that can connect them to the wilderness. Perhaps it’s the accomplishment felt after carrying a canoe down a long portage, or the sight of a moose grazing at the shoreline, or a loon call, breaking the morning silence. Such simple moments can spark a lifelong relationship with wild lands that forever changes how one views the world. Since 2018, our No Boundaries to the Boundary Waters program has worked with schools and organizations across Minnesota to give hundreds of students from diverse and underserved communities the means and the opportunities to experience the magic of the Boundary Waters. But what happens after these trips? We noticed that after students returned from their first Boundary Waters trip, many were hungry for more. They wanted to learn more about the ecosystem, embark on more wilderness experiences, and to share their love for the outdoors with others. The question was: How do we nurture that newfound passion for wilderness? How do we help it grow into something more? SPARKS (Students Progressing in Adventure, Recreation, Knowledge, and Sustainability) was born from trying to answer that question.

Building on our No Boundaries program, SPARKS is designed for students who have caught the wilderness bug. It provides a pathway for them to dive deeper into the outdoors experience while gaining valuable leadership skills. The program’s mission is simple: bring students closer to nature, explore the Boundary Waters in multiple seasons, and promote leadership skills that participants will then use as peer leaders in their school’s future Boundary Waters trips. What makes SPARKS truly special is its year-round approach. Rather than experiencing the Boundary Waters only during summer months, participants engage with the wilderness across all seasons through a series of day outings and overnight retreats. This comprehensive approach helps students develop a more complete understanding of the ecosystem and its seasonal rhythms.

winter leadership retreat

For the first year of the SPARKS program, students were selected from partner schools and organizations including Harding High School, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization Green Team, CLUES YA!, and the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
The most immersive part of the winter program was the Winter Leadership Retreat at YMCA Camp Du Nord in Ely, Minnesota. During this three-day, two-night experience in January, students experienced the beauty and challenge of a Boundary Waters winter, while developing crucial leadership skills. The retreat balanced educational workshops with plenty of outdoor winter recreation. Buttressed by activities like cross-country skiing, sledding, and the quintessential Northwoods experience of a sauna followed by a cold plunge, students learned about climate change and Minnesota’s biomes, while also picking up practical skills in goal setting, facilitation, and leadership.
“There’s something magical about introducing students to the Boundary Waters in winter,” says Izzie Smith, Twin-Cities Education Program Manager for Friends of the Boundary Waters. “The silent, snow-covered landscape offers a completely different perspective from summer paddling. Students discover that the wilderness is full of year-round wonders.” A particularly impactful component of the weekend was a career panel featuring local experts from the environmental sector. Panelists from organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, the Forest Service, and the Listening Point Foundation shared insights about careers in conservation and outdoor education. They discussed skills needed to land your “dream job,” and provided personal advice for students interested in environmental careers.
“The career panel opens students’ eyes to possibilities they might never have considered,” explains Smith. “Many don’t realize how many different pathways exist for turning their passion for the outdoors into meaningful work.”

what’s to come

As spring arrives, SPARKS participants look forward to the Spring Leadership Retreat at YMCA Camp Ihduhapi in Loretto, Minnesota. Scheduled for May 31-June 1, 2025, this overnight experience will focus on preparing students for their role as peer leaders on summer Boundary Waters trips. During this retreat, students will practice the technical skills they’ll need in the wilderness, from proper paddling techniques to campsite setup. Just as importantly, they will develop leadership skills like communication, conflict resolution, and decision making. “Watching these students transform from first-time wilderness travelers to confident peer leaders is incredible,” says Smith. “They bring unique insights to the trips because they remember what it felt like to be nervous about their first portage or uncertain about sleeping in the woods.” The program will culminate this summer when SPARK participants attend pre-trip activities, including planning meetings and workshop days, ultimately participating in their schools’ BWCA trip as a peer leader. For their leadership and help on Boundary Waters trips this summer, SPARKS participants receive a $300 stipend for the valuable role they play in enhancing the experience for first-time Boundary Waters adventurers. By providing progressive outdoor experiences and leadership opportunities, the program nurtures the next generation of wilderness advocates and encourages young people to share their love of the outdoors with others. These students are a testament to the power of wilderness experiences to transform young lives one portage, one paddle stroke, one season at a time.

Substantial funding for No Boundaries to the Boundary Waters is provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).