"A canoe is not only run by instinct, experience and condition, but also by emotion, sensory and spirit."

he Borealis Paddling Expedition is a canoe trip consisting of 5 women who will paddle through the Boreal Forest, Tundra and Arctic wilderness to initiate scholarship donations for campers of Camp Manito-wish YMCA. The objective of the expedition is to raise $50,000 to allow young people to pursue the Manito-wish experience.

The Borealis Paddling Expedition begins at Wollaston Lake, Saskatchewan and will continue north for approximately 1200 miles via the Fond du Lac, Dubawnt and Back Rivers. It will commence at Chantrey Inlet on the Arctic Ocean about 90 days later, subject to weather and ice.

Meg Casey, Nina Emery, Beth Halley, Karen Stanley and Emily Stirr, ages 21-23, have been campers and staff members at Manito-wish for a combined 60 summers and now want to help others pursue similar opportunities of growth and adventure.

"Manito-wish has provided us the framework to understand the significance and strength found within trip-mates, the environment, a canoe paddle and ourselves. Embracing these ideals has allowed us to recognize the power of the canoe and collaborate to pass on its influence to others. We emphasize the unique nature of the expedition as an entirely female trip to connect with the tradition of women in extended wilderness travel at Camp Manito-wish."