Parents and Teachers overview page

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.

Introduction

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

The BWCA 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 BWCA Wilderness Kit was created by the Boundary Waters Wilderness Foundation and Superior National Forest.

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 BWCA Kit is created for both formal and non-formal educators. The units and activities are aimed at middle school grade levels (5-8) for approximately 5-30 participants. However, each lesson is flexible enough to tailor the content to a younger or older audience.

If you live in NE Minnesota the Kit may be reserved by calling the Forest Service at (218) 626-4300. 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. Superior National Forest has three Kits available for use. The Kits must be reserved in advance and picked up and returned to one of the Superior National Forest Offices located in Duluth, Grand Marais, Tofte, Ely, Cook and Aurora.

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 also have two BWCA Wilderness Kits available for use. They are managed through the Bell Museum and may be reserved by phone at (612) 624-9050 or by e-mail at bellreg@umn.edu.

If you are able to pick it up at a Superior National Forest Office it's FREE!!! There is no charge for use of the Kits offered by the Forest Service, but you will be required to sign a form indicating you will be responsible for charges to replace lost or damaged components.

Kit borrowed from the Bell Museum of Natural History in Minneapolis require a $55 rental fee plus an optional $20 shipping fee. The shipping fee is not necessary if the Kit is picked up at the Bell Museum. Kits may be picked up at and returned to the museum seven days a week. A limited number of need-based scholarships are available to help cover the costs of Kits rented from the Bell Museum.