A Guide to Minnesota Camping

The number of people who like camping is stunning. There has been a significant increase in the number of families and couples in recent years that have included camping in their vacation programs. While some people enjoy trying new places for camping each year, others have their favourite spot to camp during their annual vacation. One of the best places for camping seems to be Minnesota. There are hundreds of possibilities when considering Minnesota camping.

Minnesota has much to offer to campers as there are many lakes and varied terrain within the borders of the state. The best choice for camping is the northern part of the state offering camping along Lake Superior. The north shore drive along Lake Superior is one of the greatest in the United States, especially during the autumn. Along this route you can find a couple state parks which have hiking trails, wolf interpretive centers and kayaking available. In case you are keen on fishing then you can choose one of the 10,000 lakes in the state.

The lakes are spread across Minnesota and there are also some recreational areas. Minnesota camping is best in these areas for the reason that today there are large state parks in addition to private campgrounds. Federal camping grounds are also available there. Even though most of these recreational areas are located in the northern part of the state, the southern part has a lot to offer as well. We are talking about trout streams and high river bluffs. In the southern portion of Minnesota there are two state parks offering rock climbing and cliff diving into the St Croix River. Hiking trails are also a possibility. There are also many festivals organized in the quaint river towns in this area.

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) is the most popular Minnesota camping. There are no motorized vehicles, boats included in BWCA as they are against the rules. Of course, there are many drop off points where you can leave your supplies and enjoy a canoe ride and camp in this area. Within BWCA you will find many maps showing where the pit toilets, campfire rings and picnic tables are located. As far as supplies are concerned, you will get only what you bring with yourself. I suppose everyone had understood that this type of camping is not for the novice campers. Even though there are many portages to make, the magnificent beauty of the woods and lakes is surely worth the effort.

Close to the metropolitan area you can also find some campgrounds. Did you know that Minneapolis means city of lakes? This type of camping in the state of Minnesota offers a night under the stars and a very active day of the city life. Whether you prefer one type of camping or another, it makes no difference. Id you are a camper than you just have to visit Minnesota.

There is no way you will regret Minnesota camping.

by Morgan Hamilton

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning leisure and recreation. Learn more at Minnesota Camping

Great Fundraising Opportunities

Well. it's that time of year again; the nights are getting cooler,the kiddies are back in school, and with their return comes my personal favorite! School Fundraising!

School Fundraising-

Translation- A bunch of kids going door-to-door selling a bunch of stuff I don't want or need.

I don't want to sound harsh as I am all in favor of raising money for the schools, but I am still trying to work through the 150 piece wrapping set my wife bought last year. I have wrapped everything from the dog, to seat cushions and still we have 100+ pieces left.

School fundraisers used to be something I looked forward to. Remember those Carmel chocolate bars the kids used to sell? Every year, I would buy about thirty dollars worth of those chocolate covered wonders. Now, it's just depressing sifting through the stuff my son's school is trying the schlep. There has to be a better way.

The other night I was researching material for a Parents of Fundraising Kids support group when I stumbled upon this amazing website.


Bid4Funds.com

What Bid4Funds.com Offers:
Great Fundraising Opportunities

Bid4funds.com offers a unique environment where:

*Local companies receive amazing recognition for their generous contributions

*Charitable organizations have an opportunity to offer their supports a fun and rewarding way to support their favorite cause.

*Friends of charitable organizations can support their favorite cause by purchasing items they really want, and have fun at Bid4Funds online silent auctions.

More about what Bid4Funds offers:

"We offer the businesses in our neighborhood, and around the country, the opportunity to help their favorite causes, while receiving a great advertising value. We have designed our web site to offer businesses that support our charities the recognition they deserve for their generosity. The banner ads are attractive, and allow customers to find their favorite businesses. This offers an unparalleled reward for charitable giving."

"We offer the supporters of our organization a fun and interesting environment where they can not only donate to their favorite cause, but get something back. Supporters have the choice of what items they would like to bid on. Gone are the days of having to buy something you don’t want, just because your uncles wife's little sisters daughter has a catalog.
We hope you enjoy your visit to Bid4funds.com, and happy shopping."

Sounds like a great idea to me. Check out Bid4Funds.com

Apple Man Minnesota Matters

3 Sex Offenders Live Near the U of MN

By Kathryn Nelson

Level 3 sex offenders are required to register with police upon moving.

The mug shot shows a man who looks no older than 20. Closely trimmed hair, slender physique and a defiant expression make him look like a typical college student.

But he isn't. He is a level 3 sex offender who lives blocks away from the University.

There are three level 3 sexual predators living near campus. While no level 3 sex offenders live on University property, several live in adjacent neighborhoods.

Their convictions include possession of child pornography and penetration of minors aged 3 to 15.

City Officials

City officials balance the safety of residents and ensure the offender's re-entry into a community is successful. While some students said they felt uncomfortable with offenders in the area, they said accepting them into the community is important for the person's recovery.

There are approximately 1,300 registered sexual predators in Minneapolis, 51 of whom are assigned the third risk level.

According to the Minneapolis city Web site, of the four degrees, those labeled level 3 sex offenders are the most likely to reoffend.

Community notification within a three-block radius and police registration is required when a level 3 offender relocates to a neighborhood.

Jon Hinchliff, community notification coordinator for Minneapolis, said he frequently extends those boundaries of notification so "we can accommodate as many people as possible."

Leonard John Gillespie, 31, is one of the level 3 sex offenders living near campus in the Seward neighborhood, but he said he is not a threat to students.

Gillespie was released February 2005 after serving time on a conviction of engaging in sexual contact with two adult women and attempting penetration.
Gillespie said he had "taken responsibility" for his crimes, but that "my words won't prove that, my actions will."

His chaotic childhood and long-term substance addiction contributed to his criminal record, "but I'm not going to blame alcohol or drugs," he said.
Gillespie has been sober for four years, and has a girlfriend. They plan to marry.
Gillespie said he is most concerned with living a peaceful life despite his previous mistakes.

Life after re-entry can be difficult, Hinchliff said. Employers often require any previous felony charges to be disclosed before hiring someone.
Housing frequently is denied to applicants who are declared level 3 sex offenders, he said.

Hinchliff said additional mandates have been added this year, requiring level 3 sex offenders to meet face-to-face with officers three times a year to update photos and contact information.

Those offenders who claim to be homeless are required to verify their residential status weekly, Hinchliff said.
For the first three months after prison release, offenders are under an "intense supervised release," which includes a mandatory GPS location monitor to be worn.

Offenders must register their current address with law enforcement. They also are subject to frequent visits from a parole supervisor.

Hinchliff said people should keep in mind "it's much more preferable to have (offenders) working than not and wandering the streets."

"A known location is a much easier location to check," Hinchliff said.
Imen Jendoubi, a postsecondary student, said sex offenders near campus make her "uneasy."
But she said the police are handling the situation well.

"If nothing has happened so far, it looks like the police are doing their jobs," Jendoubi said.
Sgt. Erik Stenemann of the University Police Department said he is aware of sex offenders living near campus.

Since there are no level 3 sex offenders living on University property, it technically is not the responsibility of the University of Minnesota Police Department to enforce any violations, Stenemann said.

Still, University police work closely with the Minneapolis Police Sex Offenders Community Notification Unit to ensure offenders are in compliance with state mandates, he said.

Sophomore Jane Riley said she is "aware that those people are around."
Riley said that predators are most likely to reoffend unless they are welcomed back into the community.

© Copyright 2006 The Minnesota Daily