Will Steger Polar Explorer

Ely, MN

Will Steger Polar Explorer

Jeff Appelquist and renowned polar explorer Will Steger are piloting an exciting new leadership development program based upon the indelible and hard-won lessons that Will took away from his epic polar expeditions.

Commencing in the fall of 2024, Will and Jeff will co-facilitate an unforgettable three-day experiential learning program in the beautiful wilderness surroundings of the magnificent Steger Center for Innovation and Leadership in Ely, Minnesota. It is truly “the coolest place on Earth”. Participants will have ample time to commune with nature and enjoy the exquisite scenery of the Steger Center’s expansive property in Northern Minnesota’s Boundary Waters region. Target audience for this program is leaders of all kinds, at any level, in any field. Both intact teams and individuals are welcome.

Why did Will Steger forego the easy path and choose a hard life of exploration? How did he plan and make decisions? How did he lead diverse teams of people through sometimes brutal conditions? How did he deal with chaos, challenge and change? How did he persevere and overcome against seemingly insurmountable obstacles? Come “explore” these and other critical questions with the great Will Steger. Click here to learn more.

About Will Steger

Will Steger is an educator, author, entrepreneur and eyewitness to the effects of climate change. With his ability to blend extreme exploration and cutting-edge technology, Will pioneered online education, reaching more than 20 million students via online daily journals and even delivering the first-ever transmission of digital photography from the North Pole. Will led the first confirmed dogsled journey to the North Pole without resupply in 1986, the 1,600-mile south-north traverse of Greenland (the longest unsupported dogsled expedition in history) in 1988, and led the first dogsled traverse of Antarctica (the historic seven month, 3,741-mile International Trans-Antarctica Expedition) in 1989–90.

Steger Center Leadership Program Agenda

DAY ONE

Late afternoon/evening arrivals in Ely, Minnesota: Group Dinner

DAY TWO

  • 7 – 10 AM: Breakfast, Tour of the Steger Center and General Session

  • 10 AM – 1 PM: Discuss goal setting and teamwork/Lunch

  • 1 – 5 PM: Discuss decision making and self-reflection

  • 6 PM: Dinner at the Steger Center

DAY THREE

  • 7 – 9 AM: Breakfast and General Session
  • 9 AM – 2 PM: Discuss sustainability, risk-taking and legacy/Lunch
  • 2 – 6 PM: Exploration of nature and Final Exercise
  • 6:30 PM: Dinner at the Steger Center

*Actual Times May Vary