Calling All Voyageurs

Math geeking not really your style? Maybe you’re a bit more into historical recreations. Hey—let’s not judge. The Lake County Forest Preserve District needs a little help with their Floating Classroom recreation of a 17-passenger canoe.

Stand at the helm of our replica Voyageur canoe while guiding groups across the lake and back in time. Experience first-hand the colorful history of the fur trapper in Lake County, improve your canoeing skills, help others and have fun!

Voyageurs were French-Canadians who canoed around the Great Lakes in the 18th and 19th centuries trading beaver pelts, playing hockey, and performing improv comedy. They appear to be really big in Canada, but there's a Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota.
If you want to be a faux Voyageur, the LCFPD will give you an outfit, teach you a little French, help you improve your canoeing skills, and not pay you to paddle around what will inevitably be obnoxious fifth-graders who will make fun of your outfit, beaver pelts, and probably your French. If you’re interested, give Julie Buzinski a jingle at 847-968-3482.