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Wisconsin

A Superior Exploration: Lake Superior’s History & Ecology

Program No. 24850RJ
“Superior” learning awaits on this adventure through northern Wisconsin’s natural wonders — explore the ecology and human history of this fascinating Great Lake!
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Start
Native American StudiesHistoryNature & Environment
Length
6 days
Rating (5)
Activity Level
Starts at
1,999
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
12 meals ( 5B, 4L, 3D )
6 expert-led lectures
10 expert-led field trips
2 hands-on experiences
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Registration and Hotel check-in from 3:30 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 3:30 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader, and let them know you have arrived.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
Evening: Orientation: 6:30 p.m. This will be held after dinner at Barkers Island Inn, a locally operated hotel. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss expectations, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Throughout the program, we will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We will take some time tonight to explore the history of the area.
Activity Note
2-3 hours of hiking and standing, 2 miles spread throughout the day, some on unpaved trails with 80ft. of elevation gain. Several sets of stairs with no handrail. We will be outside most of the day. Getting on/off motorcoach, 70 miles drive time, approximately 3 hours total riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, we will board the motorcoach to explore the geological origin of Lake Superior – Glacial and Tectonic Geology. We will spend the morning exploring two beautiful local parks, Amnicon Falls State Park and Pattison State Park, to learn about the rich geological and ecological history of the region.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will travel to Jay Cooke State Park, where we will learn from a park ranger and take a walk across the "swinging bridge". You'll want your camera to capture this spectacular gorge with all of its tilted rocks and slate!
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
After dinner, we'll enjoy a group activity at Mont du Lac Resort. We will then coach back to the hotel.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach, 10 miles drive one way, 30 minutes total riding time. 2-3 hours of walking and standing during explorations, walking around 2-3 miles spread throughout the day on flat, unpaved ground. We will be outside most of the day.
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
After breakfast, we will travel by motorcoach to Wisconsin Point and Wisconsin Point Indian Burial Grounds. We will be met there by a local tribal historian who will give us a cultural connection to this area's history and indigenous beginnings. As early as the 1740s, Wisconsin Point was home to the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the site of the Wisconsin Point Indian Burial Grounds, which were recently returned to the Fond du Lac Band. Wisconsin Point is a three-mile-long natural sand spit in Superior, Wisconsin, that divides Allouez Bay from Lake Superior. Together, Wisconsin Point and Minnesota Point form one of the longest freshwater bay-mouth bars in the world. Forests of white and red pines fill the interior of Wisconsin Point, with sand dunes, wetlands, and beaches lining Lake Superior. The xeric forest on Wisconsin Point is an important stopover habitat for a diverse range of migratory birds, including many rare species.
Lunch:
We’ll enjoy a healthy box lunch outside.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will remain on Wisconsin Point and learn from an environmental scientist about regional plants and their medicinal properties, as well as the ongoing ishokde (fire) management project.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions!
Evening:
After dinner, we will walk to the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve (~ 0.5 miles) and enjoy a presentation on the estuary, tribal treaty rights, and history of the area.
Activity Note
Two hours of walking (each participant can decide how far they want to walk) on unpaved trails with optional steep elevation; getting on and off the motorcoach, 30 mile drive one way; optional canoe ride includes getting in and out of the canoe; paddling for approximately 1 hour; standing in shallow running water. We will be outside all day.
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
After breakfast, we will depart for Palmers Landing/Historic Portage Trail. We will hike a portion of the trail while learning about the history of the portage. Then, we will travel to Stone’s Bridge for an introduction on the history of the river from a cultural historian.
Lunch:
We’ll enjoy a healthy box lunch outside.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we travel to the Bois Brule Campground to learn alongside an expert researcher who will share about aquatic invertebrates and how they help us determine the quality of the water. Afterwards, we will depart for an (optional) 1-hour canoe excursion on the Brule River. For those who wish not to participate they will have time to explore the park independently.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy local fare.
Evening:
At your leisure.
Activity Note
Walking 0.5 miles to the boat, getting on and off the boat, we will be on the boat for the majority of the day.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, we will board our floating classroom. On the ship, we will travel to two sampling locations in the Duluth-Superior Harbor, where we will collect, analyze, and compare samples.
Lunch:
Aboard the floating classroom.
Afternoon:
After lunch, you will hear from UW-Superior researchers and faculty about trends in our waterways and Lake Superior ecology. While traveling back to the dock, we will discuss regional environmental concerns.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
At the hotel, we’ll have a program wrap-up on reflections and resources. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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