Dear John,
The Boundary Waters was the first place I fell in love with the outdoors. As a 15-year-old, I spent two weeks in the BWCA and Quetico with YMCA Camp Manito-wish. The next summer I spent another two weeks in the BWCA with Camp Widjiwagan. These experiences were pivotal in shaping my personal and professional life. Without them, I would have never started working in outdoor education, become a teacher, or founded my business, Garage Grown Gear, which specializes in ultralight outdoor gear.
The BWCA is a place where I connect deeper with nature, can listen to my own thoughts, and form lifetime memories. Here, I solidified friendships, can disconnect, and take in my surroundings. Places like the Boundary Waters deserve to be protected and preserved so that future generations can experience their clear waters, embrace the tall trees, and travel the winding trails for years to come.
Unfortunately, this incredible place is threatened right now. If you value the Wilderness and want it to continue to thrive, it requires active dedication and attention, which is what Save the Boundary Waters has been doing for over a decade.