Program areas at Wilderness Inquiry
Day & multi day programs: Wilderness Inquiry day programs provide introductory hands-on learning and outdoor recreation in 75 communities throughout Minnesota and nationally. Day programs serve the majority of Wilderness Inquiry's participants through programs including canoemobile; outdoor activity days; outdoor credit recovery; virtual explorers; and deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing day camps. These nationally recognized outdoor programs connect youth, adults, and families to their local public lands and waterways, develop our next generation of environmental stewards, and address the opportunity gap. Wilderness Inquiry continues to offer virtual programming in addition to in-person outdoor experiences. See schedule o for additional program language.in 2023, 32,806 people participated in day & multi-day programs (1,509 virtually), 48% of which identified as black, indigenous or people of color (bipoc).number of people served: 32,806number of service days: 16,617number of events: 351
Training, leadership, & career pathways - Wilderness Inquiry offers many programs focused on training, leadership, and career development, all intended to increase representation in outdoor spaces. 2023 was the second year of Wilderness Inquiry's fellowship program, which provides paid, accessible, professional skill-building opportunities for individuals interested in building careers in the outdoor and nonprofit job sectors. The program is focused on hiring individuals with identities underrepresented in outdoor professions, including those who identify as bipoc, lgbtq+, and/or a person with a disability. In total, Wilderness Inquiry worked with 135 people through training, leadership and career programs. Number of people served: 135number of service days: 185number of events: 6
Near-nature & extended overnight adventures - regardless of age, background, identity, or ability, individuals have the opportunity to participate in outdoor overnight adventures nationally and internationally. Inclusion is at the heart of this program, which strives to create authentic and positive travel opportunities for all participants. Adventures are 2-15 days and include activities such as kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and dogsledding. See schedule o for additional program language.in 2023, Wilderness Inquiry guided 121 trips to 21 unique destinations, including apostle islands national lakeshore, boundary waters canoe area Wilderness, costa rica, Hawaii's big island, iceland, isle royale, tanzania, and yellowstone national park. 1,487 people traveled with Wilderness Inquiry on overnight adventures in 2023, including 26% with disabilities. Number of people served: 1,487number of service days: 6,368number of events: 121