Boy Scouting brought Cory to the BWCA in 1971, when he was 14 year old. He didn’t want to leave, so he returned as soon as possible to lead canoe trips into the BWCAW and Quetico Provincial Park for the Boy Scouts in 1974. Cory spent 7 summers leading trips in the woods for the Scouts and helped his wife Doris develop the Girl Scout Canoe Base here in Ely.
Cory believes kids belong in the woods for many reasons, not the least of which is so that they might grow up wanting to preserve wilderness. Cory is passionate about sharing the BWCAW. You’ll hear him say things like, “The Canoe Country Wilderness is a great classroom. It can teach you to fish, paddle, portage and camp. It can also teach you to persevere, problem solve, and cherish the Wilderness and yourself.”
Cory recently retired from almost 40 years of teaching science to children in Chisholm, MN. These days he likes to hike, backpack, canoe, nordic ski, winter camp, sing, and tell jokes and stories.
Fun facts: Cory owns a kilt and a kanak (canoe kayak hybrid), he actually enjoys portaging, and he through-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2022!
