HA-102 National High Adventure Bases and Alternatives to Them Andrew Keys Talakto District Greater Alabama Council

Website Reference This presentation is based on information found at these websites: – ht/bsa- elements/passport_to_high_adventure.pdf ht/bsa- elements/passport_to_high_adventure.pdf – – – –

Scouting Programs and Outdoor Adventures

High Adventure Base Reqs. While each of the BSA’s High Adventure Bases are unique in their character and activities, there are many common requirements for crews: – At least half of the members in every crew must be youth. At Philmont, only 4 adults per crew are allowed. – Be registered members of a chartered unit, a Scout troop or team, with proper leadership, a Venture crew (if co-ed, must have male and female adult leaders, age 21 or over) or be a Council or District contingent with proper leadership. – All registered adults must have completed the BSA Youth Protection Training or Venturing Youth Protection Training. – At least one adult per crew must be trained in Wilderness first aid and CPR from any recognized agency and in Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat. – Each crew must bring a first aid kit.

High Adventure Base Reqs. (cont.) All crews arriving at High Adventure Bases MUST HAVE AT LEAST TWO ADULT LEADERS. – For troops and teams, one of the adults must be over the age of twenty-one (21), the other must be at least eighteen (18) years of age. – For venture crews, both leaders must be at least 21 years old, and if the crew is co-ed, you must have co-ed leadership. If you have more than one crew attending, each crew must have at least two adult leaders.

Adult Training Depending on the High Adventure Base, at least one adult per crew may be required to complete the following courses: – Youth Protection Training (REQUIRED for all Adult Leaders) – Wilderness First Aid (16 hour course) – CPR (required for WFA) – Weather Hazards – Safe Swim Defense – Safety Afloat

Participant Requirements Must be a registered Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Venture Scout, Sea Scout or Adult Leader. Participants must be either fourteen years of age by day of arrival or have completed the eighth grade. For Sea Base, Northern Tier, and some Summit activities, participants must complete the BSA swim review upon/prior to arrival. Must be in good health as evidenced by a BSA Annual Health and Medical Record filled out and signed by your doctor within the past 12 months. – For High Adventure Bases, ensure all parts (A, B, and C) are completed.

Participant Requirements No participant may weigh in excess of 295 pounds. Participants weighing in excess of 295 pounds will be sent home at their own expense. All crew members must know and use the Scout Oath and Law as their guide to appropriate behavior at High Adventure Bases.

Florida Sea Base Sea Base Adventures: – Bahamas Tall Ship Adventure – Bahamas Adventure – Out Island Adventure – Sea Exploring (Keys Tall Ship) – Coral Reef Sailing – Eco-Adventure – Florida Fishing – Scuba Certification – Scuba Adventure – Scuba Live Aboard – Florida Keys Adventure Program – Sea Base St. Thomas – Order of the Arrow Ocean Adventure (OAOA) – Divemaster Training Academy

Florida Sea Base Plan ahead for reservations: – Sea Base runs a lottery from January 15th to February 15th for reservations for the following year. Units may sign up for multiple dates and/or multiple Adventures to maximize their chances of getting an Adventure and date that works for them. Units will receive notification (both and mail) of the results of their lottery requests during the latter part of February. After notification of lottery results, all remaining open dates are made available for Open reservations that leaders can schedule themselves by going to their unit on-line accounts and accessing open Adventures and dates.

Philmont Scout Ranch 12 Day (most popular program) and 7 Day Treks Cavalcade – Philmont Cavalcades are similar to regular expeditions except that, instead of hiking, crews ride horses through the rugged mountain wilderness like the famous trappers who first explored the West. STEM Treks (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) – The STEM Trek is for Scouts and Venturers who have an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Participants will enjoy a 12-day trak in the mountain wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo Range of the Rocky Mountains. The Roving Outdoor Conservation School (ROCS) – a twenty-one day trek program for males and females between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one. – ROCS is an educational backpacking experience rooted in conservation and environmental science education. – Throughout the trek participants have lessons rooted in environmental science, visits from guest speakers, and the opportunity to work on conservation projects with the Philmont Conservation Department and the U.S. Forest Service in the Valle Vidal Unit of the Carson National Forest.Carson National Forest

Philmont Scout Ranch Treks are Philmont are in HIGH DEMAND. Plan FAR in advance. – Lotteries are held 18 months in advance of the actual trek. – Cancellations and under filled crews may be alternative methods of getting on a trek.

Philmont Training Center The Philmont Training Center (PTC) is the national volunteer training center for the Boy Scouts of America. – Since 1950, PTC has provided a unique environment for training volunteer and professional leaders, and a fun family program for every member of the family. – Each year, more than 6,000 Scouters and family members attend PTC. – Each conference features the latest tools and techniques, audiovisuals, discussions, idea sharing, and activities led by a faculty of experienced Scouters. – All registered Scouters are invited to attend training center courses; council approval is no longer required.

Northern Tier OKPIC Winter Adventures – OKPIK Participants learn how to cross-country ski, snowshoe, dogsled, ice fish, build snow shelters and enjoy life in extreme weather conditions and temperatures. Wilderness Canoe Trips – Three canoe bases: Ely Base (Ely, MN) Atikokan Base (Atikokan, ON, Canada) Bissett Base (Bissett, MB, Canada) – Accessible only by float plane – Choice of routes include: Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness Quetico Provincial Park, CA Canadian Crown Lands

Summit Bechtel Reserve The Summit Experience High Adventure Program – A seven-day/six night program running Sunday to Saturday. It consists of half-day introductory level experiences at each of the nine Summit high adventure venues. – In addition, each group will perform a half-day service project and have the chance to ride The Big Zip – our 3⁄4 mile zip line. – In addition, each night (Monday-Friday), we will open the Scott Summit Center for activities, fun and socializing. The Scout Summit Center incorporates small versions of our adventure sports venues. Details – The Summit Experience is open to registered Scouts and Venturers who are at least 13 years old by the September 1 of the year they attend and their registered leaders. – The minimum group size is seven with the majority being youth members. There is no maximum group size. – The Summit provides tents, cots and all program equipment for your unit. Breakfast and dinner will be served in the Summit dining hall. Shelf-stable lunches will be issued to accompany participants to their daily program venues.

Participant and Leader Guides Each High Adventure Base annually produces guides for participants and leaders. – These guides are the best source of information unique to that particular High Adventure Base. – Download guides from the respective High Adventure websites:

“Do-It-Yourself” High Adventure Sipsey Wilderness Area Bankhead Natl Forest Talledege Natl Forest Land Between The Lakes Natl Rec. Area Pinhoti Trail Savage Gulf St Park Cohutta Wilderness Area Chattahoochee Natl Forest Mammoth Cave Natl Park The Summit Bechtel Reserve Smokey Mtn Natl Park Fall Creek Falls St Park Buffalo River Canoeing

Potential Long Range Troop High Adventure Plan 2011 – Florida Sea Base 2012 – “Do-It-Yourself” Canoe Trip, Buffalo River, TN 2013 – Philmont Scout Ranch, National Jamboree 2014 – “Do-It-Yourself” Backpacking, Appalachian Trail 2015 – Northern Tier 2016 – Florida Sea Base 2017 – National Jamboree (Summit Bechtel Reserve) 2018 – Philmont Scout Ranch 2019 – “Do-It-Yourself” High Adventure Trip 2020 – Northern Tier 2021 – National Jamboree (Summit Bechtel Reserve) 2022 – Philmont Scout Ranch