Three Bear Sled Dog Race

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On Saturday 48 Conserve School students headed out to the nearby Three Bear Sled Dog Races for a true Northwoods experience. This annual weekend of races draws sled dog teams from all over the Midwest, yet has a small-town feel because most of the spectators and officials are Land O’ Lakes (population 850) locals. The start and finish lines and accompanying smaller events are all set up on the elementary school and town hall grounds, so there are lots of activities packed into a small area.

The main events were several different types of dog sled races on both Saturday and Sunday. Small and large dog teams pulled both sleds and skiers, with adult and junior divisions. These main activities were accompanied by a craft show, a bake sale area, and fun events like the Mutt Race, the Barcalounger Race, and the Fido Fashion Show.

 
The video above (courtesy of Robert Brown) provides a sense of what it is like to be at the Three Bear Sled Dog Races and view them for yourself. Follow the links below for two more videos from Robert Brown.

Skijoring at the Three Bear video
2 and 3 dog class races at the Three Bear video

Students weren’t just specators, but they also played an important role in assuring the success of the races. Many students spent time as trail help. They were spread out along the race course to assist teams if they got into trouble and to make sure that no spectators were on the course while the race was being run. Other students helped prepare and sell food to those in attendance. The money raised from food sales helps cover the cost of the event.

Many of the students used part of their time to walk into Land O’ Lakes and explore the local community.

It was a pleasure for me to share one of my favorite Northwoods traditions with the students of CS 4.

~Stefan Anderson
Head of School

Conserve School students reporting for duty

Jo and Max waiting for work in the Land O’ Lakes town hall

Kit and Andie waiting for work in the Land O’ Lakes town hall

Andie, Megan, Ben, Kayliegh, Kit and Nathan walked over the Pine Cone restaurant for a bite before the races.

The “Musher’s Village” where teams wait between races.

Home away from home for one of the sled dog teams.

Jasmine and Leah

Leah, Paige, Emma, and Xander

Jenny, Jack and Rachel being shuttled to their volunteer spot on the sled dog trail

Jack and Meredith being shuttled around the course

Nathan and Kit in the shuttle

Megan waiting for a sled dog team to come by

Emma with an open class team (10+ dogs) in the background

Volunteers Rachel and Lizzie

Volunteers assisting a musher with a tangled team

A four dog team racing

A four dog team racing

An open class team racing

An open class team racing

Beautiful open class team made up of huskies

An open class team racing