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Trips and Bases

 

Local Options
BSA High Adventure Bases
Summit
Philmont
Northern Tier
Sea Base

Local Options
Illinois and Missouri offer a variety of options for outdoor adventure, especially southern IL and MO.  Many of these are fine venues in themselves, but they can also be good preparation for trips to more remote areas and the BSA high adventure bases.  Even a campout at a local campground can be used to build high adventure skills.

For information on local options, go to:


BSA High Adventure Bases
BSA runs four high adventure bases, each offering a very different high adventure experience.  Scouts who participate in the programs at three of these bases earn the Triple Crown award; Scouts who participate in all four programs earn the Grand Slam award.

There are minimum ages for each base, generally 14 years and older, or 13 and completed 8th grade, however check the specifics at each base.

Note that getting there is part of the adventure.  Look for fun things to do along the way, and fun ways of getting there.  To/from travel can be one of the biggest expenses, so look for ways to save money.  Note that many Scout camps allow Troops to stay overnight en route to their destinations.  These can be found with a quick google search, followed by a call to the local council.

Summit
Summit Bechtel Reserve is a high adventure camp in West Virginia that offers a wide variety of activities ranging from shooting sports, rock climbing, and BMX bikes, to zip lines and river rafting.  The Summit Experience program is a good week-long introduction to high adventure.  Summit Reserve is also where jamborees are held.


Philmont
Philmont offers backpacking adventures on its 140,000 acres in the mountains of New Mexico.  Crews backpack between both staffed and trail camps.  Various activities are offered at the staffed camps, ranging from tours of homesteading cabins and a gold mine, to rock climbing, burro racing, and shooting.  A variety of 7 and 12-day treks are available, with varying levels of mileage and difficulty.  For photos and videos of previous Philmont treks, click here.

 

Northern Tier
Northern Tier offers canoeing adventures on millions of acres of pristine lakes, meandering rivers, dense forests and wetlands in Northern Minnesota, Northwest Ontario and Northeast Manitoba, starting from three bases.  Trekkers pack all their gear in their canoes, and paddle and portage across any number of the thousands of lakes in the area.  Winter adventures are also available.  Treks are usually 7 to 9 days in length; trip routes and lengths are chosen by the crew.  For videos of previous trips, and also for short, informative videos on topics such as packing and canoe portaging, visit their videos website.

 

Sea Base
Florida Sea Base operates 20 adventures from six locations, in the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  The adventures include sailing, scuba diving, fishing, STEM, and the Out Island adventure, where participants paddle canoes out to a remote island, camp there, and participate in snorkeling, kayaking, and fishing.  Trips vary in length, depending on the activity.  For video tours and for short, informative videos on topics such as packing, visit their videos website.

Cahokia Mounds