NOLS - Baffin Island Backpacking and Whitewater Canoeing

  Canada

Rural Areas

Term: Summer 

Description: In the surreal and mythical landscape of Baffin Island, you'll embark on an arctic expedition that hikes along traditional Inuit travel routes and canoes down a Canadian heritage river. The adventure begins with a backpacking section through Katannilik (meaning place of waterfalls) Territorial Park where you'll learn essential backpacking skills while sharing the land with wildlife.

A tundra plane will fly in with supplies, and then youre off down the Soper River (class I-II) in folding river canoes. The beauty of this river, coupled with a number of fun rapids, makes it an ideal setting to learn the basics of wilderness canoeing. Take advantage of the long arctic days as you explore topics such as ecology, geology and glaciology.

Baffin Island is also home to the Inuit, and you will learn about arctic life and traditions during the cultural section in Kimmirut, an Inuit village of about 300. You may have opportunities to learn how to carve soapstone, work with seal and caribou skins, and talk with elders about the Inuit lifestyle. The lessons you will learn from these caring and wise people will travel with you for the rest of your life.

Highlights:
College Credit:
(Optional)

6 Semester Credit Hours:
2 Hours Environmental Ethics
2 Hours Leadership Techniques
2 Hours Skills Practicum

Cost in US$: $5,075

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Canada Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Scholarships are Available. - Each year NOLS offers over $800,000 dollars in scholarship assistance. Scholarship aid is available to applicants who show great potential to excel as NOLS students and who would be unable to attend without financial aid. These scholarship dollars are made available through the generosity of alumni and friends to the NOLS Fund. Our graduates realize the great impact a NOLS education has and volunteer both time and money to further the school's mission.

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Job and Internship Network

NOLS The National Outdoor Leadership School's Mission Statement: The mission of the National Outdoor Leadership School is to be the leading source and teacher of wilderness skills and leadership that serve people and the environment.

Year Founded: 1965