WIlderness Trips Endowment

Written By Kyle Oblong

By Tim Downey

Starting in 2026, the Dexter Davison Advanced Wilderness Trips Endowment (DDAWTE) will be used for staff development at both Camp Kooch-i-ching and Ogichi Daa Kwe. This opportunity is open to individuals at either camp who return to camp multiple years, are committed to improving their wilderness trip skills, and want to enhance their ability to work with campers.

The endowment is named after Dexter Davison, a Kooch-i-ching wilderness trips legend who was known for leading more trips to Hudson Bay than any other individual in our camp’s history. Dexter’s loyalty returning to camp for many summers ensured young men had a transformative advanced wilderness trip experience.

The DDAWTE has supported several trips in recent years. We recognize the desire for individuals who seek challenging opportunities, and provide an avenue for our staff to push themselves while creating a world-class trips program for our campers.

Individuals who meet the criteria below will be eligible for a fully-funded Arctic trip, led by an experienced trip guide, during their third year on staff. The trip will additionally focus on leadership skills, decision-making skills, and risk management.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me at tim@koochiching.org.

Camp Kooch-i-ching criteria

  • Attend six sessions at Kooch-i-ching between your Intermediate and Senior years.

  • Complete two full summers at Kooch-i-ching as a staff member in good standing.

  • The trip route will be selected by the organization, and an experienced guide will be provided. Trip size would be between 6 and 10 people, including the guide.

  • The following summer you would be required to return to Kooch-i-ching as a staff member where you will apply the skills and lessons you learned for the campers. If you don’t return, you would need to repay your share of the trip cost.

ogichi daa kwe criteria

  • Attended at least four camper sessions between ages 14-18

  • Completed the CIT program and one CIT-to-staff session the summer after high school

  • Spent at least one full summer (both sessions) serving as a trip assistant

  • Demonstrated leadership, responsibility, and positive participation in the Ogichi community

Kyle Oblong
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