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We are excited to announce our 2025 Bob Swanson Memorial Grant Winners, Emma, Abby, Olivia, and Helena. The Bob Swanson Memorial Grant is dedicated to adventurers, explorers, and go-getters to tackle their next endeavor.
Q: Tell us about yourselves. What’s your background?
Abby: I fell in love with the Northwoods on a five-day canoe trip in the Boundary Waters with my Girl Scout troop in 2022. I have since completed two seasons as a professional canoe guide for both the Girl Scout and Boy scout canoe bases in Ely, MN. I have canoed over 1000 miles on both lakes and rivers all across the US and Canada. This past summer I worked as a wilderness EMT in the Boundary Waters and now I work as an EMT for Deforest Fire in Madison. Outside of camping, I compete in gymnastics and springboard diving. I am currently a Junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying neurobiology and athletic healthcare.
Olivia: I fell in love with the Northwoods during a seven day wilderness canoe trip with the Girl Scout’s Northern Lakes Canoe Base (NLCB) when I was 14 years old. I’ve now spent almost six years canoeing a total of 1000 miles throughout the Boundary Waters and Quetico, as well as the Green, Colorado, and New Rivers. After graduating high school, I went on a 55-day Gap Semester program with Outward Bound, where I backpacked, canoed, rafted, and canyoneered throughout Utah in sub-freezing temperatures. Fun fact–my longest no shower streak of 48 days happened during this trip. I have completed two guiding seasons in the Boundary Waters–one with the NLCB and the other with Northern Tier. I’m a sophomore student at Virginia Tech studying Wildlife Conservation and Biology, and work with my school's outdoor program, Venture Out, am a Wilderness First Responder, and a trail Ultramarathoner.
Emma: I have been canoeing all my life. I took a job in 2023 out in the boundary waters which connected me with the wider canoeing world. From there I completed two seasons as a professional guide for the boy scouts. I have paddled all over Maine in rivers, lakes and the ocean. Outside of canoeing I enjoy hiking with my dog, backpacking, knitting, and cross country skiing. I am graduating with a BA in Studio Art in Spring 2025.
Helena: I am a lover, a fighter, and a punk rock woman. I try to squeeze the most out of life and be involved in as many things as I can. I push myself to the limit juggling my life- trail running, rock climbing, backpacking, ceramics, and student radio. Some of the things that motivate me in life are being active in the outdoors and art. I am drawn to canoeing because it combines those passions. I am stoked and grateful to be a recipient of the Bob Swanson Memorial Grant to further those passions. I will be graduating Spring 2025 from the Honors Tutorial College at Ohio University studying Environmental Studies and Appalachian Studies. I am also the Trip Supervisor for OU’s Outdoor Pursuits and a Wilderness First Responder.
Q: Tell us about your trip + how long it will take you?
Group: We are going to spend 85 days paddling 1,200 miles from Lake Superior to Hudson Bay, Canada, which has historically been used by the French Voyageurs during the fur trade. We will start at Grand Portage on the western shore of Lake Superior, then paddle for two weeks along the Border Route of the Boundary Waters. Next, we will paddle through Voyageurs National Park, Lake of the Woods, and the Winnipeg River. We will then head north along the eastern shore of Lake Winnipeg- we anticipate paddling on this lake for three to four weeks as Lake Winnipeg is the 11th largest lake in the world. After Lake Winnipeg, we will paddle for another three to four weeks on the Hayes River in Manitoba, entering into polar bear territory, then we’ll arrive at York Factory, Hudson Bay. We will be one of the first all-female crews to paddle this route, and are using this expedition to raise awareness about the threat of mining to the Boundary Waters and to inspire more female participation in paddlesports and outdoor recreation.
Q: Share your inspiration behind this journey? Why are you taking this route?
Group: Olivia and Abby read Hudson Bay Bound in 2023 during their first season as guides in the Boundary Waters and were inspired to do a Hudson Bay expedition. The following summer, the two met Emma while guiding at Northern Tier, and then the crew met Helena through her college outdoor program connections. What drew us to this route specifically was the ability to paddle through the Boundary Waters–a place where many of us fell in love with canoeing–as well as the challenges and length of the route. We will get to see the terrain change from boreal forest to taiga to tundra across our 85-day journey. We also always knew that we wanted this to be more than a trip and to have a greater purpose. All of our crew members are Girl Scouts, and we hope that women and girls watching our expedition become inspired to pursue paddlesports and outdoor recreation. Additionally, we all care deeply about the protection of the Boundary Waters, so we have partnered with Save the Boundary Waters to better advocate for a permanent mining ban in the BWCA and surrounding watershed.
Q: What could be your biggest challenge on this trip?
Group: We anticipate many physical and mental challenges along this expedition. On day 1, we will portage through Grand Portage–an 8.5 mile long portage where we will carry all of our gear and canoes. Later in the trip, we will paddle on Lake Winnipeg, known for its temperamental weather, for 1 month straight! We are strong and capable, but it is going to take a lot of mental and physical resilience from all of us.
Q: How will this trip be special for you all as a group?
Group: We are an all-female crew, which is partly inspired by the fact very few all-female crews have paddled this route before, but also because Girl Scouts introduced all of us to the outdoors. We have come into our own as women and leaders through our experiences in the Boundary Waters. This will be life-changing to connect with this region and immerse ourselves in the rugged wilderness. As a crew, we want to inspire other young women to find themselves in the outdoors and show the world that we are strong and fierce. We are very excited to work with each other, and can’t wait to see what we will accomplish on this expedition.
Q : What is your favorite costume? Will you be bringing it on your trip?
Abby: I love wearing my bedazzled cowboy hat (which I made for the Eras tour)!!
Olivia: My favorite costume is probably a Pirate Hat and Eyeliner, and we will perhaps be bringing pirate-themed bandanas on the expedition.
Emma: I adore a good feather boa and tiara combo. The boa will not be joining us but a tiara might!
Helena: I love to wear glitter because it adds an extra flair to any costume, but I will not be bringing it on the trip-- we have to Leave No Trace!
