Rendezvous with the Past

A nine-day canoe trip turns into a profound, life-altering event as Louis discovers the untold stories of Voyageurs and Native Americans in his family's history.



This thrilling adventure tells of Louis's family and his Scouting friends. They discover themselves through trial by terrain and weather, accomplish goals through teamwork, and learn the basic skills of Scouting as they have never applied them before.



The story takes place in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness with its rich history and natural beauty, a million-acres of forest, lakes, streams, portages, and wildlife. There are no roads or motors allowed, so much of what is experienced is as it has been for centuries. For Louis, his paddle serves as a time machine as he shares a trip like those first taken by his French and Native ancestors. They traveled through this area over 300 years ago, paddling birch-bark canoes along the fur trade routes to northwestern Canada.

The Charles L. Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base has served Scouting for nearly a century. From the founders who banded together to acquire the land, the staff today continues to ensure a future filled with stories of fun and adventure.