Wilderness Inquiry

Wilderness Inquiry Connecting people of all ages, backgrounds,
identities, & abilities through outdoor adventures. We hope you will share the adventure with us!
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Wilderness Inquiry (WI) is dedicated to sharing the outdoors with you. As you will see by exploring our website, we provide all kinds of outdoor adventures, including canoe, kayak, hiking, horsepack, dogsled and raft trips throughout North America and the world. Each year we conduct over 250 events serving more than 10,000 people. Our trips are designed for everyone from novices to seasoned outdoo

r veterans. Over the years, we have found that attitude is far more important than experience or ability. By their very nature, WI experiences have a way of fostering positive attitudes. We are a nonprofit organization founded by Greg Lais and Paul Schurke in 1978 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. WI is run with 14 full-time staff, 60 part-time staff, and a volunteer board of directors of 15 people. We partner with many organizations and our trip participants come from all 50 states and from around the world. Our passion is making high-quality outdoor experiences accessible for everyone, including those who do not typically get out and enjoy the wilderness. In addition to trips, we have a variety of programs and activities that help fulfill our mission. We do training for other organizations and provide outdoor skills workshops at community events. We also raise money to provide scholarships to make our programs financially accessible to everyone.

Canoemobile made its way to Detroit last week to connect over 400 students and community members to the outdoors by padd...
10/03/2024

Canoemobile made its way to Detroit last week to connect over 400 students and community members to the outdoors by paddling on Lake Okonoka! Thank you to our partners at U.S. Forest Service, Friends of the Detroit River, and Detroit Outdoors for helping to bring to Detroit for another year.



📷 - Hannah Robar, Mark Messer, and Amoreina Espinosa

Get ahead of the holiday rush and book your 2025 outdoor adventure today! With early-bird pricing through the end of the...
10/01/2024

Get ahead of the holiday rush and book your 2025 outdoor adventure today! With early-bird pricing through the end of the year, you can enjoy a warm-weather excursion at a better price. Join us in early 2025 on one of our breathtaking trips to Costa Rica, Belize and Tikal, or Hawaii. More than a trip – it’s travel with a purpose. Book today at the link below!
https://bit.ly/3TVfnLV

📷 - Richard Edlich, Laura Ludgate, and Erika Rivers

As a part of Blue Star Families Welcome Week, we are excited to engage with over 400 military participants and their fam...
09/27/2024

As a part of Blue Star Families Welcome Week, we are excited to engage with over 400 military participants and their families across the Midwest and the East Coast! We recently paddled with families in Ohio and Illinois and sent out 500 Welcome Week Kits to Blue Star Families Chapters all across the country - designed to acquaint new families with opportunities and provide materials and encouragement for families to spend time together outside. Thanks to our partners at Blue Star Families and National Park Service for helping us connect military families to the outdoors.

📷 - Loren O'Brien

  is in Milwaukee this week alongside partners U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, as we paddle on Lake M...
09/20/2024

is in Milwaukee this week alongside partners U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, as we paddle on Lake Michigan with more than 300 students from local area schools! Joining us for programming were the Forest Service's Regional Forester Tony Dixon, representatives from the Bureau of Land Management, and our Executive Director Erika Rivers. Partnership is key to building outdoor connections with communities. Thanks to the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management for their continued engagement with Canoemobile!

We’re excited to announce that our 2025 trips are now online and available to book! From the Boundary Waters to Costa Ri...
09/18/2024

We’re excited to announce that our 2025 trips are now online and available to book! From the Boundary Waters to Costa Rica, you can travel with a purpose in 2025. When you travel with Wilderness Inquiry, your own amazing adventure helps pay it forward so other youth, families, and individuals can get into nature.

Early-bird pricing is up online and available through the end of 2024. Book your adventure now at the link below to save big!
https://bit.ly/WI-Trips

📷 - Eva Flood and Laura Ludgate

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Saturday for the 14th Annual Great River Race! We raised over $190,000 to fund ou...
09/16/2024

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Saturday for the 14th Annual Great River Race! We raised over $190,000 to fund outdoor opportunities for youth and families across Minnesota and beyond. The wouldn’t have been possible without our community of donors, volunteers, and sponsors - THANK YOU!

There's still time to donate! Visit the Great River Race page below to help support our amazing program and to see the race results from Saturday.
➡️ www.greatriverrace.org

Premier Sponsor:
Star Tribune

Presenting Sponsors:
Cargill
Mikayla McCarvel Family
Nature Valley
Thomson Reuters
Winnebago Industries

Race Sponsors:
Ann Bancroft Foundation
Arctic Wolf Networks
Ascentek
Chandler
DuBois Family
Fischer Family
FS Foundation
Grady Family
Harding High School
Higgins Family
Huntington National Bank and Faegre Drinker
Lakewinds Food Co-op
Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP
LimnoTech
Olsen Family
Pearson-Forero Family
Pelican Leadership Academy
Polaris Inc.
Race Judicata
Ryan Companies US, Inc.
Sawmill
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
Spencer Family
UCare
Ulvestad Family
Wiha

📷 - Nora West, Pip Boucher, Samantha Ellsworth

Today’s the best day of the year - the  ! Over 350 paddlers, volunteers, and sponsors came out to support   and our incr...
09/14/2024

Today’s the best day of the year - the ! Over 350 paddlers, volunteers, and sponsors came out to support and our incredible youth programs!

📷 - Samantha Ellsworth

We can’t wait to see all of the paddlers, sponsors, volunteers, and partners tomorrow for the best day of the year - the...
09/13/2024

We can’t wait to see all of the paddlers, sponsors, volunteers, and partners tomorrow for the best day of the year - the Great River Race! We look forward to a day of building connections with one another and to the outdoors.


📷 - Keenan Gao

September marks an exciting time of year as we officially launch our 2024 Fall   Tour! Seven rigs are headed out to visi...
09/12/2024

September marks an exciting time of year as we officially launch our 2024 Fall Tour! Seven rigs are headed out to visit 23 communities in 13 states all along the East Coast and across the Midwest - bringing hands-on outdoor learning and exploration to nearly 20,000 participants. Thanks to our leading partners at Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and Blue Star Families for helping to bring Canoemobile to these communities. Stay tuned to see more from the road as our rigs adventure to connect youth and families to their local waterways!



📷 - Devin Singh, Courtney Crossfield, and Peter MacMillan

"Thanks for this fantastic event! Please thank everyone involved, especially the flag bearers for putting on their unifo...
09/09/2024

"Thanks for this fantastic event! Please thank everyone involved, especially the flag bearers for putting on their uniforms and the nice opening ceremony, as a veteran I always appreciate that."

We were honored to host military families this past weekend for a event in our home community of the Twin Cities! Our gratitude to the families and partners that joined to explore the outdoors with us!

Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
U.S. Forest Service - Urban Connections
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Blue Star Families



📷 - Nora West

Only 1 week until the best day of the year - the Great River Race! This event helps fund Wilderness Inquiry's   program ...
09/06/2024

Only 1 week until the best day of the year - the Great River Race! This event helps fund Wilderness Inquiry's program which provides outdoor opportunities to youth and families across the country.
-
The Great River Race wouldn't be possible without the generosity of our incredible sponsors - the companies, families, and local businesses that support youth engagement in the outdoors!

Premier Sponsor:
Star Tribune

Presenting Sponsors:
Cargill
Mikayla McCarvel Family
Nature Valley
Thomson Reuters
Winnebago Industries

Race Sponsors:
Ann Bancroft Foundation
Arctic Wolf Networks
Ascentek
Chandler Inc.
DuBois Family
Fischer Family
FS Foundation
Grady Family
Harding High School
Higgins Family
Huntington National Bank and Faegre Drinker
Lakewinds Food Co-op
Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP
LimnoTech
Olsen Family
Pearson-Forero Family
Pelican Leadership Academy
Polaris Inc.
Race Judicata
Ryan Companies US, Inc.
Sawmill
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
Spencer Family
UCare
Ulvestad Family
Wiha

www.greatriverrace.org

📷 - Matt Przeslicke

Women of all abilities and experience levels are invited to our Footwear, Food, and Fun event at the Woodbury Public Lan...
09/03/2024

Women of all abilities and experience levels are invited to our Footwear, Food, and Fun event at the Woodbury Public Lands store this Thursday, September 5 from 6-8pm! Whether you've been hiking for years, or you're interested in getting outside but don't know where to begin, experts will be on-site to help you find your unique fit, brand, and style of footwear. There will even be the opportunity to enter for the chance to win some special giveaways. Learn more and register at the link below!
https://bit.ly/3TefiCK

📷 - Callianne Jones

Experience the beauty of the fall colors on a paddle down the Mississippi River! Join us this October for an unforgettab...
08/30/2024

Experience the beauty of the fall colors on a paddle down the Mississippi River! Join us this October for an unforgettable fall colors paddle and learn about this wonderful resource that flows through the Twin Cities. Spots are filling quickly, so learn more and reserve yours today at the link below!
https://bit.ly/3p2UbY4

📷 - Julia Schweitzer

This summer, our Outdoor Credit Recovery program in partnership with Saint Paul Public Schools SPPS was highlighted by t...
08/28/2024

This summer, our Outdoor Credit Recovery program in partnership with Saint Paul Public Schools SPPS was highlighted by the CCSSO - The Council of Chief State School Officers - showcasing the program's impact on the academic and social-emotional development of high school students. We are proud to have connected with over 50 students for nature-based exploration and learning opportunities! Thanks to additional partners at the Minnesota Department of Education and the National Park Service for promoting outdoor education.

Outdoor Credit Recovery is a partnership between Wilderness Inquiry, Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS), and the National Park Service. This video highlights t...

“I just retired from a teaching career and the trip jump-started my self-confidence and desire to try more new things. I...
08/26/2024

“I just retired from a teaching career and the trip jump-started my self-confidence and desire to try more new things. I felt strong and capable, and I felt valued as a person. I was crying when I had to say goodbye to the leaders and my fellow travelers.”
— Catherine H., 2024 Apostle Islands Women's Trip Participant

From Isle Royale to Iceland, adventure-seeking women are getting outdoors with us to explore serene surroundings and build deeper connections, together. On this , we are proud to celebrate women with our inclusive outdoor adventures. Check out our list of women's outdoor trips – with destinations across the country and around the globe – and find your adventure.
Head to the link below to learn more!
https://bit.ly/WI-Womens-Trips

📷 - Carolyn Masimore and Callianne Jones

The Great River Race is 3 weeks away and you don't need a paddle to contribute! We’re still looking for volunteers in a ...
08/23/2024

The Great River Race is 3 weeks away and you don't need a paddle to contribute! We’re still looking for volunteers in a variety of roles to help on race day. We might even need an extra hand to race in our canoes! Whether you volunteer your time, sponsor a team, or donate to support outdoor education, your contribution makes a difference.

Head to www.greatriverrace.org to volunteer and get involved!

Thank you to our Paddling Together Sponsors:
Ascentek
Higgins Family
Huntington National Bank and Faegre Drinker
Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP
Pearson-Forero Family
Pelican Leadership Academy
Polaris Inc.
Sawmill
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
Spencer Family
UCare
Ulvestad Family

📷 - Matt Przeslicke

Wilderness Inquiry is going to be at the MN State Fair! Come see us at the MN Disability Council table and enter for the...
08/21/2024

Wilderness Inquiry is going to be at the MN State Fair! Come see us at the MN Disability Council table and enter for the chance to win two spots on one of our upcoming Fall Mississippi River Day Trips! We will be at the fair on August 22, 26, and 30 from 1pm to 5pm. We'll see you there!

📷 - W***y Tully

The greatest day of the year is only one month away...the Great River Race! The big race funds Wilderness Inquiry's   ou...
08/16/2024

The greatest day of the year is only one month away...the Great River Race! The big race funds Wilderness Inquiry's outdoor education program, which travels across the country connecting communities to their local waterways.

Head to www.greatriverrace.org to learn how you can get involved!

Thank you to our premier sponsor:
Star Tribune

Thank you to our presenting sponsors:
Cargill
Mikayla McCarvel Family
Nature Valley
Thomson Reuters
Winnebago Industries

📷 - Matt Przeslicke

Time spent outdoors can help build connections to the natural world and to the people around you. Last Friday, the Wilde...
08/14/2024

Time spent outdoors can help build connections to the natural world and to the people around you. Last Friday, the Wilderness Inquiry team took to the river to paddle, connect, and simply get outside, together.

Visit the link below to see where we adventure and how to find your outdoor connection.
https://bit.ly/WI-Trips

📷 - W***y Tully, Christine Rettler, and Samantha Ellsworth

Cory Maria Dack has been leading outdoor adventures with Wilderness Inquiry for more than a decade. No matter where an a...
08/13/2024

Cory Maria Dack has been leading outdoor adventures with Wilderness Inquiry for more than a decade. No matter where an adventure takes her, Cory shares her deep passion for connection so that so many others can experience the natural world.

“You deserve this. You are worthy of this. You belong here.” That is how Outdoor Adventure Guide, Cory Maria Dack, responds when I ask her what she wishes s ...

We're still hiring! Our 2024 Fall   season is gearing up and we have several Outdoor Leader positions available. Join us...
08/12/2024

We're still hiring! Our 2024 Fall season is gearing up and we have several Outdoor Leader positions available. Join us on one of our extended national tours ranging from 2-12 weeks in length heading out to communities and waterways across the Midwest and East Coast. Learn more about the Canoemobile Outdoor Leader position and apply today on our careers page!
https://bit.ly/WI-Jobs

Wonder what it's like to be on a Canoemobile tour? Check out our day-in-the-life highlight of a Canoemobile leader below!

Wilderness Inquiry's Canoemobile spring tour hits the road and staff give you a look into a day in the life on the rig!

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1611 County Road B West, Suite 315
Minneapolis, MN
55113

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