WINTER WILDERNESS ADVENTURE

Dog Sledding History

In the late 1960s, Voyageur Outward Bound began to explore what it would take to launch and create educational opportunities in the winter wilderness. After extensive research, pilots, learning, and adaptations, Voyageur Outward Bound winter courses launched in 1970 and the sled dogs became a part of winter programming in 1981. Originally the dogs of Voyageur instructor Dave Oleson, the canine crew became an official part of the family in 1985 when Voyageur Outward Bound adopted 12 dogs and created their first space at Homeplace. From that original 12, the yard has grown to over 60 dogs. And this accomplished canine crew comes from all over the world, including Alaska, Antarctica, and Canada.

ONLY IN MINNESOTA

Winter Dog Sledding

Voyageur Outward Bound is the only Outward Bound school in the country to provide winter dogsledding opportunities that allow students to take adventure and challenge to another level. The dogs are a part of the family. Ensuring Homeplace is the best place for this crew is as important as caring for students. Creating and maintaining a safe home that fosters good living and protects and provides for purposeful canine living is critical and serving the canine crew that make these learning adventures possible is priority.

Financial support for the sled dog crew is critical to not only the canine crew, but to the program’s viability.