Boundary Waters Experience (BWX)

Steph Lally...

My name is Steph Lally and I hail out of Princeton, New Jersey.   I’m a senior at Crown College which is located thirty minutes west of the twin cities.  I have two majors in business administration and Christian studies and three minors in human resource management, psychology and counseling.  I love working with people, learning from them and building relationships.  Athletics is a huge part of my life and I love integrating it with my faith in Jesus Christ by challenging my body through physical competitions.  I am beyond excited to work with BWX this summer in God’s creation doing something I love to do. 

Cooper Ternes...

My name is Cooper - I just graduated from Bethel University in Theology and Philosophy.  I am really looking forward to my first summer at the BWX! I've never worked in the BWCA before, but I have worked in camping ministry for about five years and I absolutely love it.  Some things about me; I really enjoy wood working.  Other things I like to do are to cook and make music. I love getting to know new people. And being out in God's creation.  I love to talk about new ideas and perspectives. Also I am looking forward to both the community of BWX and the solitude of the BWCA. Most of all though I am exited to see both what God has for me and what he has for me to do this summer.

Nick Nolting...

My name is Nick Nolting and I am  22 year old student at Miami University in Oxford OH.  I am a Business-Economics and Decision Sciences Double major.  I am 6' 6'', I require an extra long sleeping bag, I wear size 38'' pants, and no...I don't play basketball. 

I have been attending the Boundary Waters Experience since it's infancy about 6 or 7 years ago.  I have had the pleasure to find myself as well as the love of Jesus in this amazing place.  While in the Boundary Waters you are constantly surrounded by the presence and beauty of God.

I am ecstatic about meeting new people to share the beautiful wilderness, as well as the love of God with.

See You Out There...

Jeff Sugden...

My name is Jeff Sugden.  I am a 3rd year student at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI where I am majoring in Computer Engineering.  I am also a student intern at GE Aviation, where I help design electrical testing equipment for avionic components.

I enjoy many outdoor activities including, cross country skiing, scuba diving, rock/ice climbing, biking, and canoing / kayaking.  One of my favorite things to do is go on trips to explore new places.  I am always amazed at the beauty that God displays through nature.  I also like to talk and discuss ideas with other people.  This will be my first summer with the BWX, and I am excited to meet and explore the wilderness with all of you this summer.

Erin Gilliland...

Hi my name is Erin Gilliland, and I am from North Minneapolis, Minnesota. I will be a senior at Bethel University this fall, majoring in Studio Art with minors in Communication and Leadership Studies.

This is my second summer with BWX, and I am so excited to experience it again. It is such a blessing to be able to live up here, serve this camp, and meet so many people while doing it!

Here are a couple things that I absolutely love: being outside and alive in God's creation, spending time with friends and family, eating ice cream, being spontaneous, making art, and having long conversations about absolutely everything.

The Boundary Waters Experience is a place that I have come to connect with God in a different way than I have ever experienced.  Having the opportunity to discuss, question, learn and love in community this summer is one of the things I am excited about most! Hope to see you up here!

Chip Addington...

My name is Chip Addington and this will be my third summer working at BWX. This summer I will be supporting the camp by being its Guide Team Leader, helping to manage base camp details and support the guides, plan routes and building the overall community of the camp. Its an experience that I am really pumped for, and I am truly looking forward to it.

I am currently a student at Bethel University in the Twin Cities, and will be a senior this fall majoring in both Studio Art and Environmental studies. Making, creating, and exploring are all passions of mine, I love to travel and experience new places and people, and do things I've never done before. I can't wait to see you all in the woods.

Couple of good men...

The BWX is still accepting applications from men for the Trail Guide position for the 2009 summer.  If you are interested in working with us, please let me know.  If not, please pass the work along to folks that you know who may be interested.  Thanks, Marcus

Kristin Parden...

My name is Kristin Parden and I'm originally from a wonderful area of North Idaho called Coeur d'Alene. I attended the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, where I studied Chemistry and learned a lot about relating to people who are both very similar to myself and very different. In addition to the outdoors, I like to read, swing dance, draw, and hold long theological conversations. This past year I have been working as a nursing assistant in my home town's emergency room and I will be attending medical school this fall.

I love outdoor activities, especially canoeing, downhill skiing, and hiking, and I am so excited to be a part of BWX this summer! I feel God's overwhelming peace and power when I am out in nature and there is nothing else on earth that compares. It is my desire to experience the challenges of canoeing while growing in faith with others.    

Mary Saviano...

My name is Mary Saviano and I'm a music student at North Central University.  I have a wide variety of interest.  I enjoy traveling, playing piano, reading, being outdoors, meeting new people, and doing almost anything that presents a challenge.  I love helping other people overcome challenges and do things they never thought they'd be able to do.

I spent this past summer working with BWX, and the experience gave me a whole new perspective on God and nature.  Being so close to His creation, I realized that I didn't have to go "searching" for Him... He was right there with me.  Through the things around me, I could see His power, goodness, and beauty.  Instead of feeling like I had to do something special in order to please Him, I realized that I, too, am part of His creation, and I please Him just by being alive and loving Him.  On trail I watched Him work in the lives of campers, leading them to depend on Him, and trust each other through the challenges they faced.  It's an experience I wouldn't trade for anything, and I'm looking forward to going back.

Meet the BWX Guides...

We are starting a series of posts to introduce you to the BWX 2009 Guide Staff.  In the next weeks, each guide will post a bit about themselves for you to get acquainted with them.

New Website...

The BWX has launched a new website this week.  It has many new features, including videos, resources for leaders and campers, as well as a way for people to ask questions directly to Trail Guides, former clients, and the BWX staff.  Check it out. 

Trail Video

BWX Fall Newsletter

Download News Letter

Wilderness to cyberspace...

The BWX has gone electronic.  The camp has some new tools to help people learn about the ministry, stay connected with friends, share stories and pictures from the trail, watch our video, and share it all with new people.

To the right of this posting, you will see links to our group site at Facebook, our video in You Tube, and our website.

We hope that you will enjoy these, use these, and share these places.

It begins...

Politics are among of my favorite things.  I love to think about them, to talk about them, and to learn about them.  In the course of my friendship with Doug Pagitt, we have had many "spirited" conversations about government and politics.  We have seen eye to eye on some issues and disagreed wholeheartedly on others.  At the end of each conversation I have left with a stronger friendship and a broader view of our system.  Today, Doug has announced his bid for the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2010.  This is a good thing. 

http://dougpagitt.com/