The Badlands are a truly remarkable place. The politics and social issues in the area fascinated me, but I was even more taken aback by the beauty of the harsh terrain. The days we spent in Theodore Roosevelt National Park repairing springs and hauling fence posts were brutal, but the group stayed tough and I think we all grew, along with our muscles, from the challenge.

- Madelin Jensen, Quest: Badlands 2010

In 2009 and 2010, groups of students ventured out to western North Dakota to explore the complex geographic and political terrain of the Badlands. Students spent time camping in Theodore Roosevelt National Park and working in the backcountry alongside John Heiser, one of the Great Plains' leading voices for wilderness preservation and respect for nature. They also visited with other ranchers and wilderness advocates in the region in order to get a sense of the challenges and opportunities facing the region.

Quest: Badlands 2011 is still in the works. If you're interested in leading a team after final exams in May or want to learn more about this or any other Quest, please feel free to contact us and we can get you more information!