Widji 100th Reunion Co-Chairs Announced

Ann Bancroft is one of the world’s preeminent polar explorers and an internationally recognized leader dedicated to sharing stories from her expeditions to inspire youth and people around the world to follow their dreams and create change. 

Ann is the first known woman to cross the ice to both the North and South Poles, led the first American women’s crossing of Greenland east to west and became the first woman to ski across the continent of Antarctica with Norwegian explorer Liv Arnesen. Their Antarctic journey was followed by 3 million kids around the world and inspired Bancroft Arnesen Explore, a partnership continuing to blend exploration with education and inspire youth by sharing lessons learned under some of the harshest and most rapidly changing natural environments on Earth. 

Ann’s teamwork and leadership skills have undergone severe tests during her polar expeditions and provided her with opportunities to shatter female stereotypes. The tenacity and courage that define her character have earned Ann worldwide recognition as one of today’s most influential role models for women and girls. 

Ann was invited by President Obama to the White House to emphasize the President’s message calling for an international response by addressing 300 change makers from 25 nations at the White House Arctic Science Ministerial in an effort to energize communities (2016). Ann was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame (1995), named Ms. Magazine’s “Woman of the Year” (1987); Glamour Magazine’s “Women of the Year” (2001); Wings Fellow (2008), and is honored in Minnesota Historical Society’s permanent exhibit, “MN-150” honoring 150 people places and things that have shaped Minnesota along with gear from Ann’s historic expeditions. 

Ann’s passion for exploring our natural world is matched by her enthusiasm for teaching children. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from the University of Oregon, Ann taught physical and special education in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn. schools and coached various high school sports. Ann founded the Ann Bancroft Foundation, a non-profit organization that empowers girls to imagine something bigger and helps them reach their full potential. 

Ann’s experiences and work has inspired classrooms to corporate leaders, teams and communities, alike. Ann co-authored “No Horizon is So Far” book, “Poles Apart” educational film and curricula; “Dare to Dream,” “Pathways to Peace,” the “Water Challenge Badge” with United Nations and World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and the Bancroft Arnesen Explore Girl Scouts of the USA badge program to share the lessons she learned in these remote and far away places and empower youth to lead and create a better world. 

Ann’s expeditions have been followed on BBC, CNN, Today, Good Morning America, National Public Radio and featured in Time, People, USA Today, Ms., McCall’s, Vogue, Good Housekeeping, Glamour, National Geographic, Outside and Sports Illustrated for Kids. . 

From Ann:

“I am delighted to join forces with Ben and Rolf to plan an extraordinary centennial  celebration. Like so many, the North Arm Road leading to Widji was the beginning of so many adventures in life.  Everything about camp was empowering, and I feel like it had a lot to do with where I went later in life.”

Rolf first came to Widji with his spouse, CJ Jacobson, in 1976. CJ had been hired as a Trail Counselor and Rolf as summer Naturalist. Both were recent graduates of the National Outdoor Leadership School and were eager to apply their expertise to Widji’s wilderness programs.

After that summer during which a number of lifelong friendships had started, they moved to Menogyn on the other side of the BWCAW. There CJ led numerous advanced trips, including the first women’s trip to Hudson Bay, and Rolf became the Executive Director in 1983.

Rolf came to Widji as Executive Director in late 1989 and stayed on through the summer of 1999. During these years Widji formalized the risk management systems and completed a master site plan and capital campaign which led to the expansion of Kirby Dining Hall, construction of the Tripping Center, shower building, new staff housing, and the expansion of the Director’s Cabin, among other projects.

Rolf was continually motivated by the Widji mission and never tired of seeing campers glow with pride and enthusiasm at the end of their trips. He treasures to this day the relationships established with staff and board members from those years.

After Widji, Rolf’s career led him to be Executive Director of Camp Manito-wish in Boulder Junction, WI, and then to the Wilder Foundation in Saint Paul as Director of Resource Development. He ended his professional career as Executive Director of the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN from which he retired in 2019.

In retirement Rolf is devoted to cross country skiing, long distance bicycling, and assisting a variety of organizations to increase their impacts and accomplishments.

From Rolf:

“As the Widji Director for the decade of the ‘90s, one of my favorite things to do was to meet groups as they first came off trail, either as they landed at the Trail Building beach or drove in from out west or from having been picked up. I loved getting the unrehearsed and unvarnished versions of their trail experiences. This was when the impact of the Widji experience was most vivid and real for me.

I look forward to facilitating many ways to celebrate these impacts that have occurred countless times over Widji’s 100 years. I am eager to work with Ann, Ben and the entire Widji crew in producing the Widji 100th!”