Local church youth group kayaks Lake Carlton

By Melissa Ganje & photojournalist Jeff Ernewein, FOX 21 News

CARLTON, Minn. - A Cloquet church youth group is helping give back to those in need.  As a reward, they got to go sea kayaking on Lake Carlton.

At Superior Whitewater raft tours, a youth group from Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Cloquet is packing up left behind shoes.  "Today our youth group is here collecting shoes, pairing them up," said Director of Christian Outreach Sheila Peterson.  "I decided that these sneakers can be put to use somewhere in the world," said Superior Whitewater Owner George Stefanyshyn."  They’re boxing up old sneakers left behind on white water rafting trips and sending them to children who desperately need them.  "To me the idea of giving it to these kids who can't go to school without shoes on their feet and I've been down in Mexico and seen some of those villages where nobody has shoes so this was just an opportunity for us to work with him and get these shoes to where they really, really need it," said Peterson.  "There are over 80 sneakers right now that are going to Mexico this year," said Stefanyshyn.  "They weren't really being used so why not give them to people that need them," said Matt Hormann of Cloquet.  "I think they are going to feel pretty happy," said Timothy Forrest of Cloquet.  "It makes me feel pretty good as a person, I love helping people," said Emily Thomsen of Mahtowa. 

As a reward, Stefanyshyn gave the kids a free sea kayaking trip on Lake Carlton.  "He gives us the shoes and the trip, what more could we ask," said Peterson.  "It’s a reward; they should be rewarded for their activities.  I know they'll have fun out there," said Stefanyshyn."  And who wouldn't on a day like today.  "I’ve never been kayaking before so hopefully I won't tip over," said Thomsen.  "I think we are going to have a lot of fun today," said Forrest.

They headed out to Loon Inlet and into the St. Louis River.  "We just paddled slowly around and looked at everything," said Peterson.  "Actually, it's more fun that I thought it would be," said Forrest.  The kids had a blast paddling on Lake Carlton and of course the highlight of the trip is splashing.  "Probably splashing people and getting splashed back," said Forrest.  The group paddled up to Big Kahuna Falls and spent some time exploring the area.  "It’s a really nice little break from the real world," said Stefanyshyn.  It truly is a peaceful escape.  "Very serene, there are no cabins on the lake so it's like a boundary waters type experience out here but a lot smaller obviously."  And that's okay for this group.  Just to be on the water with each other was enough for them.  "Especially when you get to splash this guy as much as I was," said Peterson.

The shoes packed up by the youth group on Wednesday will be shipped to Mexico later this month.  For information about whitewater rafting or sea kayaking trips log onto www.minnesotawhitewater.com