Canoe Construction
Another exciting component of the trip will be the replica 24-ft, six-person voyageur canoe being designed and built by the students.  The canoe will have the shape and size of historic Great Lakes18th-century watercraft, but will be constructed out of modern materials for durability and safety.  It will be painted in the style of the 1700’s and up-close will look like historic craft.  Historical re-enactors use this technique, since it’s difficult to build and maintain birch bark craft (material of choice 300 years ago).  For portions of the trip, more than twelve people will be canoeing and therefore modern craft (canoes and kayaks) will supplement the replica.  Finally, there will be a support van to aid with navigation and communication, to carry supplies and instructional materials for the canoeists and to give students, who need it, a break from paddling.  Never will student safety be jeopardized in order to reach a daily “goal.”