Boundary Water Canoe Trips
Summer 2012
Guided By Rob Kesselring
Uncommon Seminars LLC is offering five guided canoe trips in the Boundary Waters wilderness of northern Minnesota. In partnership with the University of St. Thomas, teachers and administrators can also earn college graduate credits for these programs. But the registration for 
these canoe trips is not limited to educational professionals. Any adult that has an interest in the outdoors, canoeing, camping, nature, bushcraft or leadership is welcome to register.
Bird Ecology of the Northern Forest
You can choose between Memorial Day Weekend, May 25th 9:00 pm – May 28th Noon (this timing enables Twin Cities’ participants to drive up to the BWCA after work on Friday),
or June 12th 9:00pm – June 15th Noon
We will camp the first evening at the National Forest Campground on Sawbill Lake. This is a safe place to leave vehicles and a good jumping off point for our canoe trip.
The next morning we will leave civilization behind and travel into the Wilderness Area where we will establish a base 
camp for our class. Both sections will be co-led with Sue Plankis, an avid ornithological enthusiast, gifted teacher and expert canoeist.
The northern forest is alive with birds at this season and participants will 
have the opportunity to view and hear some boreal birds seldom found elsewhere in Minnesota. Beyond bird identification participants learn about nesting behaviors, feeding behaviors and habitats.
Camping and canoeing skills will also be presented in a casual experiential atmosphere. Participants may also have a chance to be part of a scientific survey study as the specific area we will travel has been designated as a critical habitat zone.
Deluxe tents, wholesome meals, ultra-light canoes and all group gear are all included in the fee. Participants need only bring personal gear and clothing. A list of recommended articles will be provided upon registration. The class is suited for first-time paddlers and experienced wilderness travelers and limited to seven participants.
$399 before January 31
$499 thereafter
All-inclusive
1 CEU University of St. Thomas grad credit is available ($45)
A Return to the place of Fire…
Essential Conversations for Instructional Leaders
You can choose
August 3-7 with Rob & Darlene Patterson
August 13-17 with Rob
This is a spectacular time of year in the Boundary Waters. The weather is usually dry with warm days and cool nights. The bug season is just about over and the water is delightful for swimming and paddling.
The trip is 5 days and 4 nights in the BWCA traveling every day.
We will travel by canoe through one of the most scenic parts of the Minnesota Boundary Waters Wilderness, learning leadership from the land, each other, aboriginal pictographs
and selected readings. Darlene Patterson is a former Outward Bound instructor and an Indiana teacher and artist. She will co-lead the first section.
Deluxe tents, wholesome meals, ultra-light canoes and all group gear are included in the fee. Participants need only 
bring personal gear and clothing. A list of recommended articles will be provided upon registration. The class is suited for first-time paddlers and experienced wilderness travelers and limited to seven participants.
$599 before Jan 31
$699 thereafter
All inclusive
2 CEU University of St. Thomas grad credits are available ($90)
Men’s Wilderness Journey
with the HeartlandCircle
June 3 – June 9
Founder of the Heartland Circle, Craig Neal, teams up with Rob Kesselring to take 7 men for seven days and six nights into the BWCA wilderness on a guided journey of inner reflection and discovery. Suitable for first time paddlers and experienced wilderness travelers. After a long day of paddling and portaging the men will create a base camp on one of the BWCA’s most remote and beautiful lakes.
This is an opportunity to pause, take an intentional time out from your active life, to consider what is next. Through the interaction of intention, place, your fellow travelers and guides, you will return renewed with new perspectives, prepared for the next part of your life’s journey.
$2195 all-inclusive
Graduate credit is not available for the Men’s Wilderness Journey.
For more information or to register for one or both of these classes please call or e-mail me directly:
rob@robkesselring.com
952.432.8884
The classes/trips are operated under a special use permit with the United States Forest Service (Superior National Forest) and are fully insured and licensed. Uncommon Seminars LLC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
The following are comments from participants that traveled with me last year:
The Kopka River was, by far, the most complete and enjoyable wilderness experience I have had to date. Rob’s leadership and expedition experience was a big part of making this a successful trip, I would highly recommend traveling with Rob if ever you get the opportunity and I know I will look forward to my next chance to do the same! – Michael A. Branham
From time to time, we all have experiences that change who we are and how we look at life. The paddling adventure that was led by Rob Kesselring was this kind of experience for me. I came away from that adventure with a refreshed sense of life, my heart and mind were reshaped. – Darlene Patterson
Rob’s competence and steadiness and his being one with the waters and the surrounding nature allowed a physically and emotionally challenging men’s trip to become an exhilarating adventure of self exploration – Peter S.
No other class has influenced my teaching philosophy as profoundly as the BWCA class did. This course placed me into my students’ shoes and reminded me of the excitement, apprehension, and sense of accomplishment my students experience daily. The whole structure of the class reinforces the role of teacher-leader: As educators, we cannot passively do what we are told but instead search out opportunities to strengthen and challenge ourselves just as we want our students to. – Diane Temple
On a recent canoe trip down the Rio Grande River in Texas, my friend Rob Kesselring prepared what I think is the world’s best traditional bannock.
– Cliff Jacobson
You are a great story teller, and have created a wonderful way to incorporate your experiences into your work, and then touch the hearts of so many. I’m certain you continue to make a difference in many people’s lives. You have in mine.
– Deb Harley
I appreciated the organizational aspect of the trip, your experience was obvious and evident, but not pushy. I liked your leadership approach/style. You let us participate in every aspect of decision making, but when tough decision needed to be made you stepped forward to make the choice. An interesting memory was, shortly after Paul mentioned he had never seen a Moose, you went on a mission to find one for him. Within what seemed like 20 minutes you spotted the Moose and her two calves, who we then noticed were being stalked by a black bear.
-David Lasslett
Aside from his canoeing competency Rob really likes people. I look forward to my next trip with him. – Dave Burkhart
Rob has taught me the nature of balance
And the quiet joy of solitude and silence
I’ve also learned that the balance of nature
Cannot be entrusted to any human legislature
- Terry Weare
Any trip into the wilderness has potential to become arduous or even somewhat risky. Rob’s lifelong experience has taught him to foresee these potentials and skillfully, safely adapt to whatever arises. If you are looking for a wonderful, safe adventure don’t hesitate to trip with Rob! – Ken Wood
The Canyons were awesome (Rio Grande) – Darrell Foss
I’ve also concluded that what the co-instructor in the bird ecology class, Rob Kesselring, said is true: that preservation of the wilderness depends on knowledge and experience, “You’ve got to know it and to live it!” Discovering the birds of the northern forest has enriched my wilderness experience and has drawn me closer to nature, which is really my purpose of going to the BWCA. – Julie Neitzel Carr
Rio Grande in 2012? Yes, I’m In, thanks for thinking of the old Cap’n Also thanks for the great photos. Already in frames. Way cool. Good to hear from my old trip leader. Take care. See you in February for my third trip with you.!!!! – Paul Grondin
Rob, a lot of my leadership qualities have come from you! – Mat Mahoney (Fairmont HS Head Football Coach and MN State Champion Runner-up 2011.)
Rob’s canoe trips are light
He’s witty and bright
When his energy runs out
I’ll never figure out
To paddle with him is a delight.
-Carl LaPlante
