Voyageurs Classroom and Youth Ambassadors
Instilling Wonder and Environmental Stewardship in Future Generations
National Parks are outstanding outdoor classrooms that offer opportunities to make lasting connections to the natural environment. Research confirms that creating opportunities for youth to experience a place like Voyageurs in a meaningful way—an overnight camping trip, a summer internship, or an ongoing classroom connection—makes all the difference in becoming a lifelong steward.
Due to funding challenges, the National Park Service had to cut its environmental education program completely at Voyageurs National Park and asked the Conservancy to step in to maintain and expand youth programs. Voyageurs Conservancy responded to this critical need by launching the Voyageurs Classroom Initiative.
Voyageurs Classroom
The Voyageurs Classroom offers a full suite of K-12 and young adult programs that connect over 2,000 students annually to their national park through park-based experiences and hybrid / online offerings. Environmental education produces a myriad of social and developmental benefits for youth. The Voyageurs Classroom works to instill wonder and stewardship in a younger, more diverse audience and spark an interest in outdoor play, environmental science, stewardship, and the history and culture of the region.
Current Programs
Park-Based Experiences
Field Experiences at Voyageurs National Park immerse students in the history, science and unique landscape of this region. The Conservancy offers park programming in Fall, Winter, and Spring to give students a holistic experience at the park - programs include snowshoe hikes, “floating classrooms” on the water, and more.
National Park Teen Ambassadors
Since 2012, the award-winning National Park Teen Ambassador program has sent over 500 rural and urban youth on fully funded, single and multi-day canoeing, outdoor leadership, and career exploration excursions in Voyageurs National Park. Teen Ambassadors gain life-long connections to Minnesota’s national park and represent the future generation of diverse conservationists.
Dark Sky Classroom
The Dark Sky Classroom brings the wonder of the night sky and Voyageurs National Park to your classroom, virtually! These interactive lessons introduce students to dark sky concepts such as light pollution and northern lights, allowing students to investigate phenomena through hands-on activities. Schools from across Minnesota and the nation can participate!
Voyageurs Field Fellows
The Voyageurs Field Fellows program increases accessibility and professional development opportunities at Voyageurs National Park. Fellowships offer students and recent graduates a stipend-paid internship to gain real world, hands-on experience in the park conducting field work, research, and program development.
School Transportation Aid
Voyageurs Conservancy is committed to giving the next generation of park stewards the opportunity to learn about nature, wildlife, conservation, and our public lands. With support from the Donald Weesner Charitable Trust and National Park Foundation, we are excited to offer travel grants for schools who may not otherwise be able to fund transportation to Voyageurs National Park. Specific funds are available for Fourth Graders to visit the park.
If you are a teacher seeking aid related to transportation costs, please fill out this application and return it to us via email at contact@voyageurs.org. Please contact us with any questions you may have at 612-333-5424 or contact@voyageurs.org
Support this Work
Your gift to Voyageurs Conservancy preserves the park’s rare ecosystems, makes this gateway to the great outdoors more accessible, and bolsters education programs for youth.
““I think that National Parks are important because they preserve places in nature so that generations to come can still be in touch with their ancestors and the world’s history. They tell stores that otherwise would be bulldozed over or forgotten.”
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““The fellowship supporting me with a stipend, housing, gas, and other supplies to do this extensive fieldwork has
been extremely helpful. If I didn’t have funding, I don’t believe I could return and continue this work so the fellowship has been very helpful for me in the long-term to continue this dream,”
Funding for this project was provided in part by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as
recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). The Trust Fund is a permanent
fund constitutionally established by the citizens of Minnesota to assist in the protection, conservation, preservation, and
enhancement of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources
