For all you fans of the movie “Up,” here’s a partner spotlight from our friend Amy Voytilla at Wilderness Classroom, who is helping bring the excitment of adventure to new audiences, young and old alike. Amy is helping to plan the October 24 action in Chicago. Read on to learn more!
Dave Freeman and Amy Voytilla are endurance athletes with an educational/environmental mission. On Earth Day (April 22) of 2010 Dave Freeman and Amy Voytilla of the Wilderness Classroom Organization will begin the North American Odyssey, an 11,000 mile expedition, traveling across North America by kayak, canoe, and dogsled. The goal of the North American Odyssey is to empower students and people of all ages to make changes in their lives that will protect the world’s remaining forests and waterways, in addition to combating global climate change. They plan accomplish this through an educational online program, highlighting the importance of learning through exploration and introducing students to the plants, animals, and people of the wildest remaining places in North America.
To learn more about how athletes are helping spread the 350 message, click here.
Dave and Amy will not be alone on their journey . . . Through daily web updates, students will learn alongside the athlete/explorers. Students, teachers, and learners of all ages will participate daily in the live expedition as photos, videos, and text are posted to http://www.northamericanodyssey.com via satellite. Students can communicate with the expedition team through email, online polls, and live chats. These interactive features give students the power to help make day-to-day decisions for the team and learn about the ecosystems of North America.
The Wilderness Classroom started with a simple idea: to show students from around the world the wonders of exploration and wilderness travel. Six years and ten expeditions later, the Wilderness Classroom is a 501(c)3 that reaches over 60,000 students around the globe. Their goal has never changed: seeking to instill a lifelong appreciation of wilderness in young people by highlighting the joy of discovery.