I bought this BW canoe trip board game a few years ago. I have never been able to find any info on it, seems pretty rare. Any idea of its value? It is in like new condition, only been played a handful of times.

Sounds facinating!!! Have any pictures? What area does it cover?
Want to sell it?

I'm thinking about it. I can get some pics posted.

OK i made a photo journal with some pictures of the board game. check it out. Do I have the only copy of this game? the Journal is called "boundary waters canoe trip game"

Boundary Waters Canoe Trip - the board game"

I have a friend who also has one she bought at a garage sale. It is also in good shape and she knows about as much about it as you do. It was fun to see it. She lives in Central Minnesota.

Does anyone know what manufacturer made that game?

This game is out of manufacture and after a Google, Amazon and eBay search I am convinced that it's essentially unavailable.

Hmmmmm. It'd be easy with the advent of color copiers and laminating technology to reproduce the game for our small band of enthusiasts.

Just a thought.

The board probably wouldn't be too hard to scan and make a laminated copy of, the cards would be a pain though, maybe kinkos has some fancy scanner where you just feed them in. All you need is the board and the cards to play. I'll look into it.

Just wondering if something like Microsoft Word would work. Format it so you get 10 or 12 cards on a printed page. That way each person could print their own on card stock or something. May be a lot of typing, though, how many cards are there?

bigpaddle,

How is the game played? What is the objective?

Just curious.

The publisher is Trailblazer books 1991.

Snakecharmer- check out the link to the journal for a description of the game.

Wow, I'd love to have that game (or a copy). If the board scans easily, it wouldn't be too difficult to generate a master for the cards. Maybe a little time consuming, but fun! If someone wants to send me a photocopy of the cards I'd be glad to give it a try.

How much does it weigh? Will it fit into my backpack? It may be good for rainy days under the tarp!

Whoa! I would love to get my hands on a game like that.

Hey bigpaddle,

If you are going through the trouble of making copies of this game, let me know and I would be happy to throw in some cash to make it worth your while. Doesn't sound like it would be an issue since they don't make it anymore.

There are certainly IP and copyright issues.

I'm not an attorney, but the scale that we are discussing would probably preclude any problems?

Anyhow I'd like a copy - so let me know the costs.

I don't think there would be any problems duplicating the game, just as long as you didn't profit from it....especially since it isn't made anymore.....You can put me down for a copy.....and I'm a pretty good tipper :)

Shades of Dorothy's Root Beer - free but tips are encouraged.

Things are real busy at the store right now. After christmas I'll have some time to look into making some back up copies of the game.

There is a trailblazer books which is minnesota based:

http://trailblazerbooks.com

1991 was a long time ago and this could be a different company, but someone may want to contact them. They might have a few cases of these in the basement if they where the same company.

I think htis would be an awsome addition to my game collection. I would be interested in financing a copy. Did anyone contact Trailblazer> I don't want to barage them with emails. Awe heck, I'm doing it.

Thanks Solo.

We are the author of the Trailblazer Books (www.trailblazerbooks.com). There are 40 historical fiction novels for young readers about great Christian heroes.

The board game looks interesting, but we have not heard of it before now, and we are not aware of any publisher called "Trailblazer Books." Our publisher for our Trailblazer Books was Bethany House Publisher in Minneapolis.

Good luck in tracking down the board game.

Dave

Dave & Neta Jackson, authors of
Trailblazer Books (for kids)
Hero Tales (for families)
Overcomer Books (for adults)
Yada Yada Prayer Group novels (for Women)

I would love to have a copy of the game, if anyone is able to get one made up.

Use the program "Magic Suitcase" to reproduce any cards.

It still requires some scanning, but it worked well for us when some friends and I needed to create playing cards. You can put whatever pictures/words you need in the appropriate places.

We used it to dupe "Magic the Gathering" cards quite a while back when we were tired of trying to get 4 of every stinking card ever created to play that game at the level we wanted to play at (ha... talk about a money hole! BWCA is NOTHING in cost when compared to a CCG!!!)

One of the guys even printed the cards out at work on their "good" laser printer. They looked like the real thing! We now use common cards for the backsides and slide our ready-made cards in the front and play in card sheaths when we play magic. (which is extremely rare) Anyway....

You should be able to print them out on a thicker cardstock or take them to a smaller printing outfit, maybe even a kinko's, and have them make cards for you once you have them in the program correctly.

Hope this helps!

Is there anyone in the Chicago area that would like to attempt the copying of this? I am not going to have time to do it.. I'd loan this out to someone preferabbly in the chicago area for a short time but I would like to maintain ownership of it.

Let me know, I hope someone will now that I have teased you all with it.

Josh

Sure - I work Downtown and live in the Northern Burbs.

eMail me at bmw122us@yahoo.com

I too would be interested in kicking in for a copy of the game. Please let me know if copying it works out.

Thanks,

Ben

after looking high a low for this game, I noticed that there are lots of fundraiser business that will make a custom board game to sell for fundraisers. I bet this is how this one came to be. It makes perfect sense, especially sense the cover looks to be drawn.

OK, the project is underway. I'll work with Josh to make copies... hopefully it'll be possible to make something both workable i.e. no spinners or other complex assemblies and aesthetically pleasing - constructing boxes is probably beyond my ken.

We'll see.

Great news! Thanks Beemer.

Beemer,

Is there any way to make an 'electronic' version of the game? In other words, scan the board into a few .jpgs people could print off and then make a Word version or .pdfs of the cards. I'd be happy to help, I'm downtown by day and in NW Ind by night.

Jim

I dunno - great idea and I'm sure it's possible... but way beyond my technical capabilities. I'll borrow the set from Big Paddle and we can look at it together - you can make the call.

Stay tuned.

Sounds good. I think if we get that done then we could just attach the files to an email and send it out to whoever is interested.

Jim

It may not be necessary to scan big image files - if we just had the text and number distribution of the cards, might it not be possible to print up our own cards and play right on regular BWCA maps? Heck, if you could give us a sense of how the game is played, and what some of the cards are, we might be able to come up with our own versions customized to the maps we already have! That might add to the fun for the kids...

I'm in and know others will as well. subscribing to post to keep updated. Thanks. Happy New Year, Sorry for the double post.

I'm in and know others will as well. subscribing to post yo keep updated. Thanks. Happy New Year,

I would be interested in a copy also. That would be fun to play with the kids. Let me know of any costs.

I would be interested as well.

Me Too!!!

ditto

Beemer and Bigpaddle,

Just sent ya an email.

Jim

Before we go too far down this path - or portage, the author of this game is Constance Jefferson Sansome. The IP rights to this 'out of print' game undoubtedly accrue to her, or to her estate if she has passed.

Constance has written a wide range of wonderful books based on my morning research - some of which I plan to read. She has had a relationship with various publishers including Voyagers Intl and Motorbooks.

Constance is an Alum of Carleton College '68 and there is a Scholarship honoring her at Carleton.

I got the game from Josh yesterday - it's in wonderful shape, and is a great game to teach users many practical lessons about the BWCA - and will give it to Jim on Monday when we meet in Chicago. However the IP issues concern me and we need to resolve this before we start do anything.

Does anyone on the Board know her or know how I can reach her? I'm 15 pages into Google and haven't solved this question yet.

Bryan

Beemer-

wish I could have been there to meet you when you picked it up. We'll have to make sure to meet face to face when you bring it back. Be nice to my game! =) Thanks for working on it.

Josh

I've located Constance and am sending her a letter requesting permission - or perhaps she has a couple of cases sitting in her attic!

I would love to buy one if that is the case!

Great work Beemer -- thanks again!

Should a list get started of people who would like a copy of the game?

Thank you for all of the effort Beamer! I'd love a copy when it all gets worked out---just let us know the cost.

The game is in the careful care of Jim now - we arranged a discrete handoff in the atrium of the State of Illinois building a few days ago.

I sent Constance a snail mail letter two days ago to her home in Minnesota.

If we get permission to reproduce - and that's an if in my mind - we have to decide how.

The game is played with an oversized playing board which is a map of much of the BWCA and Quetico, and several decks of EP, destination, and travel cards - your game piece marker is moved from your selected EP to your destination lake - the travel cards impart worthwhile knowledge in addition to telling you how many spaces to move.

No spinners, or complex pieces.

We'll see what Constance says.

Folks -

I've heard not a word from Ms. Sansone on a letter (See below) dated January 7.

There are many possible reasons - winter vacation, family situation, consulting with attorney and so forth.

Does anyone live in Northfield who knows her or knows someone who might know her who could reach out? (Six degrees of separation and so forth)

Bryan



January 7, 2006

Mrs. Constance J. Sansome
13030 Cannon Blvd
Northfield, Minnesota 55057

Dear Mrs. Sansome,

I'm Bryan Whitehead, a former Minnesotan, now living in the Chicago area.

I'm involved with various environmental groups…. an officer with Friends of the Chicago River, and a moderator on a small website - BWCA.com.

BWCA.com is a free website dedicated to exploring the Boundary Waters - and our site spends a lot of bandwidth educating new paddlers. We do this with embedded maps, references, trip reports, posted photos, links and perhaps most usefully a messageboard / forum where 'old hands' like me advise new paddlers, Scoutmasters, and others on wilderness routes, equipment, techniques… and generally how to travel this wonderful region in a low impact fashion.

One of our members recently bought - at a garage sale - a game which I think you authored some years ago - Boundary Waters Canoe Trip. I recently borrowed the game from him and absolutely love the concept, the detail and fun way it imparts knowledge of this magical area to paddlers - new and experienced alike.

The 'discovery' of this game has caused a bit of a buzz among our small 'on-line' group and 20 or more members would like to buy a copy. I've searched high and low to find a current commercial vendor with no success.

If my research is correct, and you are the author, can you perhaps direct me to whoever still sells this game? I realize this may no longer be produced - but am hopeful that someone still has copies.

If indeed this is out of production, could we perhaps work out a royalty arrangement so I could attempt to reproduce a few for our enthusiast members?

Thanks for your consideration.

Bryan Whitehead
336 N. Western Ave
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
312-804-2293
Bmw122us@yahoo.com
January 7, 2006

Bryan, nice letter. Wasn't Northfield the town that stopped Jesse James from robbing it? Side Note: Born LF Hospital, raised Long Grove, Graduate of Stevenson, how the heck can you handle the traffic? :)

Very nice letter & I sure hope you get a reply soon! I'd love to get a copy of the game!

I missed this thread earlier... I'd spring for one of those games, too! I think it's great that you're tracking down the copyright owner and all.

Beemer,
Keep up the great work, and put me down for a copy.
Tom

Let's hope everything works out! If so, I'm in!

Sounds interesting - I'd certainly like a copy. Hope you hear from Constance soon. Let us know if you need help.

I apologize for my long absence
and hopefully I am not too late to jump on this bandwagon of wanting a copy of this game.......

what fun it might be on a lazy day in the BWCA

I guess I'll jump on the band wagon. I just don't wan't to set myself up for disapointment if we cant get the right to sell copies.

Interesting, put me down for a copy as well!

Sounds great, put me down for a copy too!

Put me on the bandwagon for a copy too.. thanks..
Dennis

I would also be interested in this game. Maybe we could come up with an electronic version of this game that we can all play together.
Looking forward to more news...

Members -

As of today, I've heard nothing back from the author.

Sorry.

Bryan

Beems,

Given the lack of response from the author of the game, I don't feel it would be right to make any copies. Now that the weather has broken (sort of) we should get together for lunch again so we can get this game back to BP.

Jim

If she winters down south, maybe she is not back up here yet. I know my brother wouldn't be back till april.

is it possible no-one owns rights to it?
what is the copyright date?

just throwing out thoughts

has anyone tried actualy calling her? I looked her last name up in the white pages and this came up

Sansome, Kenneth Md
13030 Cannon City Blvd
NORTHFIELD, MN
550574679

(507) 645-4242

Thats the same address that was used to send the letter to... It appears that her husband (I assume husband) is a doctor. Northfield is about an hour so so from where I live and the home to a very expensive/very well known college in this area called St. Olaf. This college is nationally known for their choir..

Oh and BTW put me on the bandwagon as well while we are at it. haha.

A copy of the game is out on EBay for sale right now. The current (and 9th so far) bid is $20.03 and the auction ends on the 21st. I got this info from another board where the member that posted it already has a copy, so there are at least 3 of them out there in the world.

Jim

http://cgi.ebay.com/UNIQUE-BOARD-GAME-BOUNDARY-WATERS-CANOE-TRIP-ADVENTURE_W0QQitemZ190093547515QQcategoryZ235QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

it sold for $43.00 plus $14.00 shipping!!!!!!!!!

WOW.......I stopped bidding at $26.00

maybe next time

:O(

I bit on it at around $23.00 but that dang Ebay didn't let me know I was over bid! (not that I would have spent that much for it!)

I bid up to $42 on it, I couldn't bring myself to go any higher. My wife would have killed me either way....

That seems to be the going rate. When I bought the game a few years ago, I paid about $40. I got mine on eBay as well.

Beemer, any progress?

No answer at the phone number listed, no luck in my Internet searches, the publisher of the game is out of business.... and no response to my letter - nor was it returned.

Respecting the Intellectual Property rights of Constance and the Copyright protection which accrues to the author, Adam and I agree that BWCA.com can't be party to any activity which would impair these rights.

I'll get the game from Jim and back to Big Paddle.

Jim - give me a call when this is convenient for you.

Beemer,

I'm tied up today and out of the office the rest of the week, OK if we meet some time next week?

Jim

Sure.

Someone with the game should shoot some game questions out on the thread? It would kind of fun for us to all get together and play a board game online...

Big Paddle - I have this precious game back - when / where should I drop it off or send it to you?

bmw122us@yahoo.com

I finally heard from Connie.

Lovely lady, game is out of production, hugely difficult to manufacture - lots of cards, printing, assembly and so forth - massive effort to make the first run.

IP is hers, she may again make another run of these games, and I told her that if she does, there are certainly 50 people on this site who would be pleased to buy copies.

I would like one as well.

Thanks.
Curt

Thanks for the info Beemer. You are correct about the 50, if not on the low side with it. I'm sure you told her of the site so that she could see the interest.

Beemer01,
Thanks for the tenacious effort, if the decision is to make more copies, I am also interested.
Boppa

This particular game is now being auctioned off over on eBay.

Usual disclaimers - Heck I'm one of the bidders!

If anyone hears any more about this game, I'd be interested in a copy, too. Thanks.

I would also be interested.

I'm rather late to the party but I found a copy of this game at a garage sale for $1!! I was looking for more information on the game and stumbled across this thread. I have contacted Save the Boundary Waters organization ( https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org/ in hopes that they would have the knowledge and resources to somehow re-release the game as a fundraiser. I'm just excited find others who have the game!

I just received a copy of this game the other week from a friend whose mother owned it. Haven't had a chance to play it yet.

Would like to give a try to re-publish it again. Anyone lately tried to contact the creator?

Yours,
Brian M.
www.minorfineart.com

Forgot rod at portage, go back three spaces

I've got one somewhere that I have never opened. I think it's still in the plastic wrap.
If I could find it I'd just give it to you.

Sounds like fun!

One thing that may have changed since this was last discussed with her in 2007 are the services available for producing small batches of games. One of our friends is into game design and I think they use online services that do that. It is probably more expensive per game but allows for making a game without needing huge distribution.

andym: "One thing that may have changed since this was last discussed with her in 2007 are the services available for producing small batches of games. One of our friends is into game design and I think they use online services that do that. It is probably more expensive per game but allows for making a game without needing huge distribution. "

It would be amazing if this could happen. Maybe the jack the price point up and give half (or more) of the proceeds to a boundary waters conservation group. I'm sure the outfitters would be willing to carry these also.

I would be interested in this as well!