On Earth Day (April 22) of 2010 Dave and Amy Freeman began a three year, 11,700 mile journey across North America by kayak, canoe, and dogsled. Their goal is to use their journey as a platform for gaining support and protection for North America’s waterways, and actively engage over 100,000 elementary and middle school students in their journey though this website and live school assemblies.
“Living “green and simple” involves making healthy choices that simplify life, reduce your global footprint, and provide quality time for friends, family, and outdoor pursuits. We hope to inspire people to make lifestyle changes that are environmentally sound, improve quality of life, and leave a little more green in your pocket,” explains Dave.
Their odyssey began by kayak on the Pacific Coast studying temperate rainforests and marine life of the Pacific Northwest, but this was just the first in a series of six stages on their quest to highlight North America’s wildest places.
After kayaking 1,400 miles from Seattle, WA to Skagway, AK, the team treked over the history-studded mountains in the footsteps of the Klondike Gold Rush, to the home of Inuit along the Arctic Ocean where polar bears roam. From the Arctic Ocean they traveled by dogsled and canoe south through central Canada, to Grand Portage, Minnesota on Lake Superior. In the Spring of 2012 they will being kayaking across the Great Lakes, then follow the annual whale migration past the salt marshes and sea turtles of the Atlantic Coast, finishing in the mangroves and coral reefs of the Florida Keys in the Spring of 2013.(See route description for more details)
Through daily web updates, elementary and middle school students learn alongside the explorers through www.wildernessclassroom.com and adults can follow their progress through this website www.NorthAmericanOdyssey.com.
Wilderness Classroom’s, Dave & Amy Freeman, were named Adventurers of the Year by National Geographic for their work with school children during their 3 year, 11,700 mile journey across North America by canoe, kayak, and dogsled. You can learn more about the North American Odyssey through their expedition updates and by watching the shore video …
National Geographic Adventurers of the Year Dave and Amy Freeman Read More »
Student Response Worksheet (Upper)Student Response Worksheet (Lower) Dave and I have some bad news to share with you. We will be unable to kayak through the Okefenokee Swamp. A large part of the Okefenokee Swamp burned in a wildfire in 2011. After talking to a park ranger, we found out that there are two reasons …
I know it has been a long time since you have heard from me. I am living with my best buddy, Chris, in Ely, Minnesota. This fall we went on a canoe trip. I love canoe trips! I spent part of the time lying in the canoe with my head leaning out the side. This …
I have been thinking about my plans for the spring and summer. Dave and Amy read your emails and comments to me. Thank you for sharing your opinions. Some of you want me to go with Dave and Amy. Some think I should stay home. The ideas you shared have helped me make my decision. …
I didn’t go with Dave and Amy to Finland. I was there for their send-off party. A bunch of friendly people gathered on Shagawa Lake near Ely. Dave and Amy brought their dog team. There were lots of people there. There was a little campfire on the ice. Someone started cooking bratwursts and hot dogs. …
I had a good week. It snowed a few days ago. I like snow. I have big paws that act like snowshoes. I also have long legs, so I can run through the snow easily. Some of the smaller dogs have a harder time pulling the sled in the deep snow. It almost looks like …
I ran next to a different dog this week. Her name is Monax. I had fun getting to know her. She is small and brown. Her bark is high-pitched. She is from Duluth, Minnesota. We have been really busy lately. Every dog in the kennel is running. She came with three other dogs too. I …
I had a lot of fun yesterday! Amy was guiding one person on a dogsled. She chose three of my friends to pull the sled. They were George, Ricki, and Millie. They are all friendly, young dogs. I ran along. The weather was cold and windy. The other three dogs and I liked this. We …
Dave and Amy spent some time making marks with my paw. They dipped it in ink and even painted it! I wasn’t quite sure why they were doing this. It was kind of fun. I like getting any sort of attention. They even made a video about it. Have you watched it yet? The weather …
Zzzzzz. Zzzzzz. Dave just told me that I snore. I have been sleeping on the floor in Dave and Amy’s room. It is nice and warm in here. I am glad they are back. I found out that Dave went to a friend’s wedding and Amy flew to Salt Lake City for a few days …