Helping kids learn respect and how to cooperate to achieve a goal, while also building a rapport with the local police department prompted Rochelle Police Detective John Kaltenbach to team up with FOCUS House director Mike Dale and a group of youth on an outdoor excursion.

“As luck would have it, Mr. Dale thought it would be a great experience for the kids who were placed at FOCUS House,” Kaltenbach said, of his idea.

So, in January, Kaltenbach and Dale began planning a trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for several youth from FOCUS House.

Over the next several months, the kids would have to earn the right to go on the trip through a combination of good grades and good behavior while staying at the court-ordered facility.

One of the biggest obstacles to overcome prior to the trip would be how to fund the trip. Thanks to generous community donations, approximately $4,500 was raised for the trip, helping pay for the needed equipment, food, gasoline, and canoe rental.

On Saturday, July 5 the eight youth that were selected to go on the “No Boundaries” trip traveled to Ely, Minn., with Kaltenbach and several staff members from FOCUS House, including Dale, Linnae Anderson and Mike Rogers.

The group prepares for it's adventure.

After arriving at the Canadian Border Outfitters the group took their last hot showers, and drank the last cold beverages they would have for the next week. For those unfamiliar with the BWCAW, it is part of the Superior National Forest in which no combustion motors are allowed. The only way in or out of the area is by canoe or hiking. The only supplies campers have are the items carried in a canoe and on backpack through the woods to the next lake. Tents are the only form of covered shelter and canoes are the mode of transportation.

On the morning of Sunday, July 6, the trip began with a towboat ride through the first nine miles of connecting lakes where motors are allowed. There the group experienced the first of many portages they would encounter on the way to Knife Lake where they would set up a base camp.

“The kids immediately learned what teamwork was about as they had to cooperate to get the canoe from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’ without problems,” Kaltenbach said. “Most of the kids that went on the trip have never been camping before, let alone being able to maneuver a canoe.”

After a few days in the woods, the group adapted to the mosquitoes, the changing weather and the lack of electricity. Chores consisted of cooking, cleaning, and pumping water. Once completed, the youths were able to go fishing, swimming and exploring.

The kids did very well fishing and had a fish fry one night of the fish they caught that day,” Kaltenbach explained.

One of the other activities the kids enjoyed was the “Canoe War” where the two camps tried to swamp each other’s canoes in the middle of the lake.

Kaltenbach himself has been traveling to the BWCAW for 22 years.

“I can say that the kids did exceptionally well with all the challenges they faced. I never once heard any of the kids say, ‘I can’t’ do something,” Kaltenbach added. “They learned a lot of valuable life lessons and found that they can survive without most of the modern conveniences.”

All eight of the kids who traveled to the BWCAW expressed that the experience left them with a huge sense of accomplishment and they would like to return.

“From my personal perspective several of my goals were obtained by taking the kids on this trip. Most of the kids that went on the trip had a bad relationship with the police due to past experiences,” Kaltenbach said. “I was able to build a positive rapport between the police department and the kids and showing them there was more to life than the mischief and criminal behavior they had previously engaged in.”

Kaltenbach said he also learned a lot from the youths on the trip.

“The kids showed me that if they were given a chance they could be mature and responsible members of the community. Due to the positive response from the kids on this trip, I am hoping to continue trips with the youth of the community in the future,” Kaltenbach said.

Many individuals and local businesses helped fund the trip, including Flagg Township, The Ogle County States Attorney’s Office, Wal-Mart, The First National Bank, Krahenbuhl Inc., Barbara Tolly, Holcomb State Bank, Custom Cowhide, and the Byron Forest Preserve.

Anyone wanting more information or wishing to make donations regarding the “No Boundaries” trip can contact Detective Kaltenbach at the Rochelle Police Department by calling 815-561-2015.

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