The Midwest Exploration Society

The Midwest Exploration Society is a passion project that we've been working on for a few years now. We set out to create an unofficial group of people who have a desire to explore and protect the natural world. What started off as a small collection of products inspired by scout manuals, star maps, field guides, and vintage camping advertisements has slowly reshaped our relationship with the outdoors. 

We've always been avid campers around here, and never needed an excuse to get outside, but this was finally an opportunity for us to give back in a larger way. 

The M.E.S. is comprised of three fundamental pillars, The Scout Division, Project Leopold, and O.W.L.

The Scout Division focuses on exploration and encourages responsible outdoor activities. Camping, hiking, archery, birdwatching, nature photography, metal detecting, etc.

Project Leopold is centered around volunteer work and conservation.  Named after the Iowa born, and famed conservationist, Aldo Leopold, this project aims to organize litter clean-ups around the Midwest. Feel free to reach out if you're interested in helping out. An extra set of hands is always appreciated.

O.W.L. (Organized Wilderness Learning) is a collection of required reading for the curious adventurer. Field Guide to the Night Sky, The Ocean World of Jacques Cousteau, and The Boy Scouts of America Fieldbook just to name a few.

Proceeds from every sale of a M.E.S. product will go to the reforestation efforts of non-profit One Tree Planted. 

View our Midwest Exploration Society collection here.