Youth Involvement... Kids learn fast and love to help. Take a kid into the great outdoors and have a friend for life!

First and foremost, the Society wishes to emphasize safety for youth visiting Voyageurs National Park and the surrounding area.

Youth Operation of Snowmobiles in Voyageurs Youth may operate snowmobiles in Voyageurs while following State of Minnesota snowmobile regulations. An adult must accompany youth who do not hold a MN DNR snowmobile safety certificate in or outside the Park. Accompaniment means on the same snowmobile or another snowmobile from which direct supervision of the youth may be accomplished. The wide-open nature of Voyageurs lake trails is a great place for youth to gain confidence with operating a snowmobile. Please be advised that the maximum speed limit in the park is 45mph on lakes and 25mph on safety portages and land based trails. Park speed limits differ slightly from State of Minnesota speed limits.

Safety instructors mentor youth on clear ice versus white ice and its load bearing capacity. One-inch of white ice has ½ of the load bearing capability of one-inch of clear ice.

Youth are the backbone of the Society’s future. They love to learn and be responsible!

Youth Ice and Power Equipment Safety Training The Society has found that youth are eager to assist with determining ice safety and marking trails in Voyageurs. Training is given on the proper use of power equipment like chain saws, brush saws, power augers, snowmobiles ect… Youth are briefed on ice thickness criteria for snowmobile and grooming tractor use. Training is incorporated into the normal process of staking and marking trails during the month of December. For information on involving a youth in this training, Contact the Society office at 218-993-2913.

Youth Groomer Training Youth ages 14-17 get familiarization training and an opportunity to operate Society grooming tractors under the supervision of trained operators. Training is accomplished on Sunday afternoon in December, January and February. Instruction on servicing, attaching and detaching drags, heavy equipment safety, operating practices, basic operation of a grooming tractors, and hands-on grooming of trails will be featured. Time required is about 2-3 hours. For additional information please go to the Upcoming Events page on this web site.

Kids marking the on-ice lake trails in Voyageurs National Park!

Instructor Joel Astleford teaching power equipment training and demonstrating ice sampling protocol.

Youth Snowmobile Safety Training The Society sponsors youth snowmobile safety training. Training is available to all youth who have reached their 12th birthday on or before the training date. An instructor certified by the MN Department of Natural Resources will conduct training. For those qualifying a youth snowmobile safety card will be issued. All equipment and materials will be provided. There is no fee for any youth. For information and registration contact the Society office at 218-993-2913 to make a reservation for this training. For additional information please go to the Upcoming Events page on this web site.

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Voyageurs Snowmobile Trail System
Orr Information Center

1-800-357-9255

©Voyageurs National Park, 1999