Educators
Click on the links below for great educational resources from the Forest Service and other government agencies and partners.
- National Symbols - Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl (html)
- BWCA Wilderness Kit - Below
- Finding my Forest curriculum - for grades 3-9 (pdf)
- Leave No Trace (Wilderness use ethics) (html)
- USDA Just for Kids (html)
- Wilderness Inquiry (html)
- Educational Resources - Environmental Protection Agency (html)
- International Wolf Center (html)
- Educational Resources - Department of Natural Resources, MN (html)
Wilderness Kit
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Kit is an engaging, hands-on curriculum designed for middle school-aged youth. It introduces them to Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and helps them explore and discover the wonders of this million-acre wilderness area. This energizing curriculum utilizes interactive and small group activities, exciting games, colorful maps and photos, and real artifacts.
This clear, easy to follow kit was developed with educator involvement and teacher review, and includes instructor background materials and reference sheets. Use of this kit varies from 50 minutes to five hours or more depending on how many of the five units and extension ideas are used. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Kit was created by the Boundary Waters Wilderness Foundation and Superior National Forest.
Who is the Kit For?
Teachers, educators, facilitators, youth group leaders, church group leaders, and others are the intended users. You do not need to be a wilderness "expert" to teach these units effectively. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Kit is created for both formal and non-formal educators.
Age Range
The units and activities are aimed at middle school grade levels (5-8). However, each lesson is flexible enough to tailor the content to a younger or older audience.
Class/Group Size
The kit is designed for approximately 5-30 participants.
Reserving a Kit
Kits must be reserved in advance.
Superior National Forest
Reserving a Kit
If you live in NE Minnesota the Kit may be reserved by contacting the Superior National Forest:
Email the Superior National Forest
Picking Up or Returning a Kit
When you reserve a kit you can make arrangements for which Superior National Forest Office you would like to pick up and return the kit to.
Reservation Fees
- Kits reserved from Superior National Forest are free.
- You will be required to sign a form indicating you will be responsible for charges to replace lost or damaged components.
Bell Museum
Reserving a Kit
If you do not live close enough to pick up a kit at one of the Superior National Forest Service offices the Friends of the Boundary Waters the Bell Museum in Minneapolis also has two kits available:
Picking Up or Returning a Kit
When you contact Bell Museum in Minneapolis you will be able to pick the kit up from the museum directly or have it shipped to you for a small fee.
Kits may be picked up at and returned to the museum seven days a week.
Reservation Fees
- Rental Fee: $55.00
- Shipping Fee: $20.00
The shipping fee is not necessary if the Kit is picked up at the Bell Museum.
A limited number of need-based scholarships are available to help cover the costs of Kits rented from the Bell Museum.
How Long Can I Use the Kit For
The Kit may be checked out for up to two weeks per instructor. If the Kit will be used by several classrooms in one school, this period may be extended.
Curriculum
All of the curriculum and most of the components can be viewed by following the blue links below.
This section contains the Table of Contents and information on the what is the BWCA Wilderness Kit, who can use it, and how and when it may be used. There is also an overview of the five units and anatomy of a unit to assist with the understanding the structure and layout of the curriculum.
This unit focuses on what makes a place a "wilderness." Participants discuss or vote on what particular objects, sounds, and images belong in a wilderness. They are introduced to the National Wilderness Preservation System and the Wilderness Act of 1964. Participants then determine how the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness fits into the criteria of a federally designated wilderness area.
- Unit One Curriculum
- Vote With Your Feet Signs
- Wilderness Act Primer Cards
This unit explores the concept of ecosystems. Using teams, participants decide what species survive and thrive in the five ecosystems of the BWCAW. Participants combine their ideas and analyze patterns they notice. The final discussion relates these connections to the importance of diversity within an ecosystem.
- Unit Two Curriculum
- Biodiversity Boogie Species Cards
- Biodiversity Boogie Game Board
This lesson concentrates on how forests in the BWCAW change over time. Through role-playing and games participants learn the idea of forest succession and the importance of different disturbances impacting a forest.
- Unit Three Curriculum
- On the State of Succession Character Cards
- A Path Through Time: Station Signs
- A Path Through Time: Drought Cards
- A Path Through Time: Fire Cards
- A Path Through Time: Human Cards
- A Path Through Time: Insect Cards
- A Path Through Time: Wind Cards
- BWCAW Changing Forest Timeline
Participants form teams to become "experts" on a particular user group of the Boundary Waters: the Ojibwe; the Voyageur; the Logger; and the Modern Visitor. Teams learn about their specific character's use of, and impact on, the Boundary Waters. Participants then "test" their knowledge in the Paddler's Game!
- Unit Four Curriculum
- Paddler's Game Board
- Paddler's Game Spinner
- Paddler's Game Cards
- Paddler's Game Wilderness Chance Cards
Participants learn how their actions and choices can impact the wilderness as they take an imaginary trip to the BWCAW. After discussing high and low impact choices, participants apply and categorize their decisions in relation to the seven Leave No Trace principles.
- Unit Five Curriculum
- Only You Can Choose: Game Board
- Only You Can Choose: Cleanliness Cards
- Only You Can Choose: Forest/Vegetation Cards
- Only You Can Choose: Rock Cards
- Only You Can Choose: Soil Cards
- Only You Can Choose: Solitude Cards
- Only You Can Choose: Water Cards
- Only You Can Choose: Wildlife Cards
- Appendix A: Glossary
- Appendix B: Resources
- Appendix C: Complete Materials List
- Appendices D and E: Wilderness Act of 1964 & BWCA Wilderness Act of 1978
- Appendix F: Unit One Extension Two Reference List
- Appendix G: Wilderness Passport Cover Sheet