When we started the rebuilding process at Wilderness Canoe Base we never could have imagined the countless bumps and triumphs we'd encounter along the way.  Each time we face the unexpected we thank God that we have been tremendously blessed by hundreds of volunteers, prayers, and financial gifts.  Your support encourages us on the journey to a sure foundation for Wilderness. 

 

We are so pleased with the rebuilding effort after the 2007 Ham Lake fire devastated Wilderness Canoe Base.  It has been a great accomplishment to plan for the future, start building, get hammers and paint brushes into volunteer hands, and see the marvelous progress toward getting Wilderness Canoe Base physically recovered after the fire.  We are very proud of the effort so far.
               

Our greatest set back was the existing electrical infrastructure which the State of Minnesota has required to be totally replaced instead of repaired.  Because camp cannot function in some critical ways without electricity, the replacement had to take priority over cabin building.  The Minnesota Department of Health has also required upgrades to the existing kitchen in order to continue hosting adults at camp.  To date, we have exhausted the entirety of the insurance proceeds for the rebuilding effort along with the Thrivent Challenge Grant funds.  This is most disappointing to everyone involved since we have not yet completed Phase 1. 
 
We need your help!  We are asking you to help us raise $125,000.00 before the end of 2009.  With these additional funds we will be able to complete the final touches on all six new buildings, replace the electrical infrastructure in the Cove, install the required exhaust hoods in the kitchen, build outhouses, provide a drying area for equipment, and get light and heat to the beloved Listening Point Cabin.  It will also finance the labor to complete these tasks.