“Wilderness ignites a sense of power and forges tenacious resolve to harness that power for the good of all.”
– Will Steger

The Steger Center has aligned well with the Olseth Family Foundation’s educational and environmental goals. For many years, the center has focused on educating underrepresented persons in the construction trades, such as women and minorities. During the summer months, master building instructors volunteer their time leading multi-week work teams of carpenters, stone masons, electricians, plumbers, and other artisans for hands on, on-site training. In addition, the Center provides an unusual experience of living and working in a wilderness environment. Each of the trainees are schooled in the feasibility of eco-friendly methodologies, including off-the-grid solar self-reliance and opting for building materials which come directly from the land or recycled solutions. The goal is zero construction material waste, which is attainable when students are trained how to use small pieces of wood, stone or metal for architectural accent pieces.

As the main building nears completion, the Foundation will continue to underwrite the trade’s training program, but will also support phase II of the Steger Center, which is to empower small groups of leaders to unlock new solutions through innovation by utilizing “the quiet mind”, “the explorer’s mindset”, and “collective wisdom”.  These are three interconnected philosophies learned while Will Steger led historic expeditions to the North Pole and the 3,700 mile traverse across Antarctic.