On Friday we finished the 2023 Wilderness Canoe Expedition Semester with practical testing of fast-water canoe poling maneuvers at a local rip. The water was deep and fast and the black flies had just emerged, adding to the difficulty. But we had a few people pass the tests by demonstrating their mastery of the material and performing the required maneuvers. Rigid documentation and minimum-competency standards are the framework our certifications are built around. They set clear goals for students to work toward on their journey from beginner to advanced practitioner.

It was a great month of learning, canoe tripping and camaraderie. It was also challenging as the weather never warmed up (until the course ended), the winds never died down, and the water levels dropped rapidly. But we still accomplished what we set out to do.

Now we’ve got a few well-earned days to rest tired bodies before the Wilderness Bushcraft Semester (session 1) begins on Sunday. I’m working on our 2024 schedule and am looking forward to adding some new programs and bringing back some old ones. Thanks for reading.