Unique, magical, solitude… these are just a few of the words Alec Kadlec uses to describe a place he loves.

Alec works his own magic at Voyageur Outward Bound School. 

He’s an OB instructor, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, or “BWCA,” is Alec’s  classroom. 

Voyageur Outward Bound School, also known as “VOBS,” has operated in the Boundary Waters since 1964. The BWCA has been federally protected since 1978. It has no motorized vehicles, no roads, no electricity, no light pollution. With more water than land, the BWCA ecosystem is unique in the world, and it’s a mecca for canoeing. In summer and fall, VOBS invites students to paddle into the BWCA for challenge and self-discovery. Each crew of students embarks on an expedition and travels by canoe, as people have done in the BWCA for thousands of years. 

In winter, the BWCA transforms. Lakes freeze and snow gets deep. Things get quieter and colder. Canoeing is out, and another traditional mode of transportation is in – dog sledding. People have traveled this region by dog sled about as long as people have lived with dogs, and Outward Bound uses this timeless mode of transportation to practice leadership and learn unique lessons.

“The dogs are part of the crew. Just like us, they are a member of the team, and we all work hard when we travel through this environment. They take care of our needs, and we take care of their needs. We don’t get anywhere if we don’t take care of the dogs first. We don’t eat until they eat, and we don’t sleep until we’ve taken care of their needs. Working with dogs is a great metaphor for working with other people. It’s a really cool way to practice interdependence and compassion.”

VOBS is the only Outward Bound school in the world that runs a dog sledding program, and the dogs and people that do this work are highly trained and skilled.

Alec has worked in the program for three years and is still learning new skills every day.

“Winter in the Boundary Waters is such a challenging environment. We don’t just go out there and charge across a frozen tundra. It’s hard work. Most of the time, people are pushing a really heavy sled through the woods in very deep snow, breaking trail. It’s the toughest course area we have, but also the most rewarding. It’s empowering to learn to thrive in this situation. I see students develop a mindset where they know something is really hard, and they learn they can handle it, and that the crew has their back. It’s also a lot of fun. Most people have never done anything like this in their lives. We teach you to survive and thrive outside in winter, in the wilderness, with dogs! You sleep on the ice under the stars and often see the Northern Lights.”

A VOBS dog sledding “crew,” is made up of 7 students, 2 instructors, and a handful of sled dogs. On a winter dog sledding expedition, participants learn how to care for and manage their highly spirited teammates, and learn alot about themselves in the process. At Outward Bound, we create conditions for leadership learning. We are in the business of discovery through challenge and adventure, and our goal is to help people grow resilience and compassion for a more resilient and compassionate world. Working with dogs and people in the winter definitely creates the conditions for developing resilience and practicing compassion.

“The way we travel and work in concert with the dogs during this tough season is so special…dogs are enthusiastic workers, and they love what they do. The way they’re affected by their environment is a zoomed in version of how our own stresses and environments affect our own human behaviors. On a dog sledding expedition, you learn a lot about yourself and how you want to show up in life. It’s a very revealing situation. People who have this experience never forget it.”

In a former life, Alec was a mechanical engineer. Then, on a winter camping trip, he had an important realization.

“I always loved volunteering in outdoor recreation, and I was looking to align my personal values with my work life, and put more adventure and discovery into the world. So I decided to make this my career.”

Alec joined VOBS in 2021. Since then, he’s led both summer and winter expeditions, found purpose in the work, and leaned into the winter program.

“One of my favorite winter memories is from a Veterans expedition. We were having dinner around the campfire, celebrating a week of accomplishments, and telling stories from the expedition. It was really moving. All of the sudden someone says, “Everyone turn around!” And there’s the best display of northern lights you’ve ever seen. To have that happen on the last night of their trip? That was truly magical.”

To learn more or sign up for a VOBS dog sledding course, click HERE.

Or, to apply to be a VOBS course instructor or staff member, find the applicant portal HERE.

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