Wilderness History
A BRIEF HISTORY OF WILDERNESS CANOE BASE
In 1953 a group of Luther Seminary students planned a wilderness canoe trip in the boundary waters out of International Falls, Minnesota. That trip took 8 boys on an adventure led by Bob Evans and Oz Anderson. A third seminary student, Bob Nervig, later was to take a group from the Red Wing School for Boys on a trip to the Black Hills. In 1953 Ham Muus joined Bob Evans and Oz Anderson in the founding of Plymouth Christian Youth Center in North Minneapolis. The inspiration was to work with boys that the Lutheran church often forgot. These Luther seminary students wrote a paper for Dr. Andrew Burgess's Missions Class with their proposal. The PCYC dream was encouraged by seminary professors Burgess, George Aus and President Al Rogness. An old hotel on Plymouth A venue was made available and it became a center for youth recreation, crafts and a worshiping community in the inner city. Ham Muus led the "Plymouth Project" during his Seminary internship in 1954. The dreams expanded to include a Frontier Farm and a canoe camp on the Canadian border.
In 1956 the upper half of Fish Hook Island on Seagull Lake at the end of the Gunflint Trail was purchased from Russell and Eve Blankenburg for $12,000 and the pioneer development of Wilderness Canoe Base began under the leadership of Ham Muus and Bob Evans. During the first season at Wilderness 120 boys used the primitive facilities. They came from PCYC and from the Red Wing State Training School for Boys and the Duluth Conservation Commission. The central concept was that immersion in a primitive environment, one in which Christian values and beliefs are explicit and where the common tasks for survival are lifted up and addressed can result in a profound experience that will foster spiritual, physical and personal growth for the participants.
By the summer of 1958 there were thirty camper expeditions with over 280 campers. The camp was largely build in 1958 with the construction in that year of 14 sleeping units, a commissary, boat house, ice house, trail shack, 3 log cabins, a bunk-house, 2 boat docks, and a canoe dock. The staff gathered together 31 canoes and all equipment and food needed for the trips. Later as more property was secured there was significant new construction with the additions of the Band of Brothers Chapel in 1961 and the Bridge of the Master in 1965. Over it first 50 years of history there have been some significant fires destroying Pinecliff Lodge, the Solar Sauna and the staff lounge. There was also major damage of wilderness area near the base by windstorms and forest fires. Wilderness staff joined in the recovery from these major events.
By 1963 Wilderness became fully accredited by the American Camping Association and was recognized as a leading camp of the Lutheran church. We note the inclusion and equal participation of women and girls in the program and the growth of the number of church youth groups as well as family and winter camping. Groups of the disabled and Fairview youth groups in recovery came to Wilderness as well as deaf and senior campers. The addition of backpacking, rock climbing and sailing as well as an American Youth Hostel site and College Winter Interims at the Canoe Base were part of the changing programs.
Wilderness Canoe Base has existed for the purpose of mission. Wilderness was called to be an intentional Christian Community. A community made up of staff, campers, volunteers and visitors.
This intentional sharing of Christianity is symbolized best in the first word and last word disclosures around the campfire circle under the leadership of the Guide. Often in the starlit silence in the glow of a campfire this faith was shared. The mission was also about bearing one another's burdens. Moved by the stories of the Voyageurs campers learned how to travel through the lake country and to use new skills in camping and group living. Campers helped one another to bear not only packs and canoes but real life problems and failures. Wilderness has functioned as a kind of training center for staff, now numbering thousands of people of faith who have gone on to be teachers and pastors and social workers and youth leaders and scientists and environmental stewards and leaders in local communities. Many have received their call to service or met their life partner at Wilderness Canoe Base.