BSA High Adventure PrimerB109, University of Scouting, New Michigan Council, November 2009

Steve Lagrecaswtrekker@wowway.com

Philmont Contingent Leader, New Michigan Council

Associate Advisor, Venturing Crew 1716

Additional information, along with the most recent version, is hosted at www.vcrew1716.org

Title

SHAFER’S PEAK AT SUNRISE, Philmont

YOUR CREW

AGENDA•WHERE … are the coolest

places? •WHAT … is a high adventure?•WHY … put high adventure in

your program?•WHO … should go?•HOW … do you “get r done”?

WHERE to go? Big 3 BSA National high adventure base camps.

Philmont

Mtn. backpacking, wilderness camping

The pinnacle of BSA high adventure.

“Philmont. A magic word in the world of high adventure. A special place that has a special place in the hearts and the memories of those who have been here.”

Philmont

Philmont

Philmont

Philmont

1st Place, 2007: Top of the world at Cathedral Rock: Philmont is truly Scouting’s paradise!

Philmont

Philmont

Outstanding scenery – Baldy from Ewells Park

Philmont

Shooting star – Black Mtn. camp

Philmont – urban legendsUrban legend debunked: Philmont is all backpacking.NOT

• Archaeology• Archery• Astronomy• Black Powder Rifle• Blacksmithing• Burro Packing• Burro Racing• Chuck wagon Meals• Continental Tie &

Lumber Co.• Environmental

Awareness• Fly Tying and Fishing

• 12 Gauge Shotgun Shooting

• Geology• Gold Mining and

Panning• Homesteading• Horse Rides• Jicarilla Apache Life• Mexican Homestead• Mexican Dinner• Mountain Biking• Mountain Livin’ • Mountain Man

Rendezvous• Mountaineering

• No Trace Camping• Philmont Story

Campfires• .30-06 Rifle Shooting• Rock Climbing• Rocky Mountain Fur

Company• Ropes and Challenges• Tyrannosaurus Rex

Track• Western Lore• Wilderness Medicine• Search and Rescue• GPS Technology

Wide variety of programs are offered at different campsites. 

Philmont – tricksPhilmont secrets• Pack light

NORTHERN TIER

Wilderness canoeing, fishing and woods camping

“Travel and live like the hardy voyageurs, a colorful band of fur traders that were crucial to the historic fur industry in early North America.”

Northern Tier

Swimming at lunch

Northern Tier

Awesome scenery

Northern Tier

Perfect campsite

Northern Tier

Navigating with a topo map and compass

Northern Tier

Filleting the $66 small mouth bass

Northern Tier

More awesome scenery

Northern Tier

Fresh blueberry pancakes

Northern Tier

Loons calling late at night

Northern Tier urban legends

Urban legend debunked – Northern Tier is all mosquitoes.NOT

Northern Tier secrets

Northern Tier secrets:• Go as late in the summer as possible • Lightweight canoes• Pack light• Permethrin

Sea Base

Ocean-based sailing, snorkeling, SCUBA and tropical wilderness camping

Big Munson Island, over a hundred acres of high hardwood hammock fringed in lush mangroves, is much like it was when the pirates arrived in the 1800’s A week-long Robin Crusoe-like experience.

Sea Base

Close encounters

Sea Base

Coff

ee a

t sun

rise

Sea Base

Catch-of-the-day for dinner

Sea Base

Snorkeling

Sea Base

WHERE’S

JACK?

Sea Base

Amazing scenery

Sea Base

Sebastian

Sea BaseH

an

gin

g o

ut

Sea Base

SCUBA

Sea Base secrets

Sea Base secrets: Captain’s creed – “in the morning we wake up late, in the afternoon we take it easy, then as evening approaches we taper off.

Patches you’ll never trade…

PATCHES YOU’LL NEVER TRADE.

ADVENTURES YOUR CREWWILL NEVER FORGET!

WHERE to go? BSA Regional high adventure camps• 100 miler patch, Germfask, 10 dy, MI U.P.

http://www.dacbsa.org/cc_camp/BS-Summer/The%20100%20Miler.htm

• 50-mile canoe trip at Rifle River, 5 dy, DAC/CCB, MIhttp://www.dacbsa.org/cc_camp/BS-Summer/pictured-rocks.htm

• 50-mile backpack (5 dy, DAC/CCB) or kayak (independent) through Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, MI.http://www.dacbsa.org/cc_camp/BS-Summer/pictured-rocks.htm

• Ranch Hand/Yucca Trail, 5-dy, DAC/D-A, Metamora, MIhttp://www.dacbsa.org/cc_camp/Boy%20Scout%20Camping/RanchHandCamp.htm

• Canoe, hike & backpack Maine High Adventure (former Region 10), Katahdin Area Council, MAhttp://www.mainehighadventure.org/

• 50-mile backpacking, 5-day, High Knoll Trail, Blue Ridge Mtn. Council, VAhttp://www.bsa-brmc.org/pdfs/camp/camppromo/hk.pdf

• Shoshone Lake, Yellowstone Lake, backpacking or mtn. biking, 4-days,Teton High Adventure Base, Great Salt Lake Council, WYhttp://www.gslc-bsa.org/camps/high-adventure-bases/c-teton/teton-special/

WHERE to go? My favorite non-BSA adventure locations.

• Lake of the Clouds, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, MI U.P.http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/ParksandTrailsInfo.aspx?id=426

• Lake Solitude, N. Piney Lake, Wyoming Peak, Bridger-Teton National Foresthttp://www.fs.fed.us/btnf/

• Little Yosemite Valley to Vogelsang, Yosemite N.P. , CAhttp://www.nps.gov/yose/

• Virgin River Narrows water trail, Zion N.P.http://www.nps.gov/zion/

• White Mtn. Nat’l Forest, NHhttp://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_mountain/

• Berg Lake trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canadahttp://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/mtrobson.html

• Minong Ridge trail, Isle Royale N.P, MI. U.P.http://www.nps.gov/isro/ SOME

DAY

WHERE to go? Non-BSA Trekking Resources• Classic long-distance (50-miler) hikes recommended in

Scouting Magazine March-April 2002http://www.scoutingmagazine.org/issues/0203/a-five.html

– New Hampshire's White Mountains– Wyoming's Wind River Range– Oregon's Three Sisters Wilderness– Arkansas's Ozark Highlands Trail– New Mexico's Gila Wilderness

• National Parkshttp://www.nps.gov/

• National Park Mapshttp://www.nps.gov/hfc/carto/index.htm

• National Forest Servicehttp://www.fs.fed.us/

• National Wild & Scenic Rivershttp://www.rivers.gov/wildriverslist.html

• Long-distance trailshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-distance_trails_in_the_United_States

• Michigan Trail searchhttp://www.michigandnr.com/ParksandTrails/TrailsSearch.aspx

WHAT IS A HIGH ADVENTURE?

BSA’s vision of high adventure

Ref: Passport to High Adventure, pg 5

Young people today seek greater challenges to their physical and mental abilities. High-adventure activities entice them to “stretch” to attain the goal of successfully completing an exhilarating outdoor experience. A High-adventure trek is a joyous opportunity – beyond the scope of the routine. It is more than just a scenic outdoor experience. It is an experience in living and cooperating with others to meet an exciting challenge. It is learning to overcome difficulties and learning to live in harmony with nature.

In meeting these challenges, young people gain confidence, humility, and self-reliance. Trekkers become self-reliant by acquiring a wealth of knowledge and skills. High adventure develops critical thinking, judgment, and decision-making skills.

High adventure stimulates good citizenship through teamwork and opportunities for leadership. It emphasizes spirituality by bringing young people closer to nature. It connects individuals to the land, developing a bond of respect for wild places and wild things. Through high adventure, a person becomes committed to wildland stewardship.

High adventure inspires young people to undertake worthy challenges and to work together to meet common crew objectives. It offers a meaningful and lasting experience in their lives.

• Entices them to “stretch”• Exhilarating outdoor experience• Living and cooperating with others• Overcoming difficulties• Living in harmony with nature• Opportunities for leadership• Emphasizes spirituality• Committed to wildland stewardship• Meaningful and lasting experience

By design there are differences between high adventures and the regular outdoor program. Typical Outdoor Program:• Front-country, base camp

style orientation• Any age / rank / skill /

fitness• Typically weekends &

weeklong summer camp• Offered 10 months / year• Goal to max participation.

Typical High Adventure:• Back-country trek

orientation• Minimum age / rank / skill /

fitness• Typically 1-2 weeks• Offered once per year• Max crew size (permit,

popularity) may limit participation.

WHY GO ON A HIGH ADVENTURE?

Because scouting values, a.k.a. the 3 AIMS…

To build character - build self-reliance, self-discipline, self-confidence and self-respect.

CHARACTER

To develop fitness - develop physical, mental, emotional,

and moral fitness that will stay with a Scout for the rest

of his life.

FITNESS

To foster citizenship - foster love of community, country

and world, along with a commitment of service to

others and an understanding of democratic principles.

CITIZENSHIP

… are integral to and enhanced though the high adventure vision!

Ref: Passport to High Adventure, pg 5

Young people today seek greater challenges to their physical and mental abilities. High-adventure activities entice them to “stretch” to attain the goal of successfully completing an exhilarating outdoor experience. A High-adventure trek is a joyous opportunity – beyond the scope of the routine. It is more than just a scenic outdoor experience. It is an experience in living and cooperating with others to meet an exciting challenge. It is learning to overcome difficulties and learning to live in harmony with nature.

In meeting these challenges, young people gain confidence, humility, and self-reliance. Trekkers become self-reliant by acquiring a wealth of knowledge and skills. High adventure develops critical thinking, judgment, and decision-making skills.

High adventure stimulates good citizenship through teamwork and opportunities for leadership. It emphasizes spirituality by bringing young people closer to nature. It connects individuals to the land, developing a bond of respect for wild places and wild things. Through high adventure, a person becomes committed to wildland stewardship.

High adventure inspires young people to undertake worthy challenges and to work together to meet common crew objectives. It offers a meaningful and lasting experience in their lives.

Fitness

Citizenship

Character

physical and mental abilities

confidence, humility, and self-reliance

leadershipcitizenship through teamwork and opportunities for

Because high adventure increases youth retention. Retention increases exposure to scouting values (3 AIMS).• Cubs are motivated to join Scouts.

• Younger Scouts (age < 13) have outings to aspire to.

• Older / Venture Scouts (=> 13) are motivated to remain involved.

• Scouts who have gone on a HA are more likely to return as Scouters. Their children are more likely to join Scouts.

Why do I keep returning to Philmont?

But as the years wore on, it got to be less and less about me, and more and eventually much more about the Scouts. I started noticing some VERY IMPORTANT things - First, nearly all the Scouts that went to Philmont with me stuck with the program, only age-graduating out. Second, most of them also made Eagle too. [These first two points, by the way, included Scouts from neighboring Troops that went to Philmont with me.] Third, my Philmont Scouts were those that also attended most of the Troop's other high adventures too, whether Sea Base, Maine, Canada, Wyoming (Wind River Range), Virgin Islands, and even our more "tame" adventures like biking 200 miles on the C&O Canal towpath, or canoeing 90 miles of the Susquehanna River. The preliminary high adventures gave them the confidence to tackle Philmont, and Philmont gave them the confidence to tackle the even tougher stuff (like the Wind Rivers in 2001, and Switzerland this coming summer). Fourth, my Philmont Scouts are my most legitimate instructors, looked up to and paid attention to by all my younger Scouts - just a critically vital aspect to running a Scouting program. Fifth - just like me - virtually all of my Scouts who attended Philmont listed it as their Number 1 most important, life-altering experience in Scouts when we held our Scoutmasters' Conferences for Eagle. And Sixth and maybe most interesting, when I talked with dozens of former Troop members when I did my Troop's 50th Anniversary historical searches in 1989-90, the number one thing THEY recalled from their distantly past (up to 40 years previous) Scouting careers was - what else? - Philmont. Troop 111 Scouts were graduating from Philmont when I was graduating from diapers. That's a hell of a legacy.

In short, Philmont has traditionally been, and still remains, an integral part of my Troop's operations. For us, it's just not "something different to do" - it's a critical component. Yes, we do plenty of other high adventures (Switzerland will be my 25th, and we are also doing two other mini-high adventures in 2003), but Philmont is simply the most important.

Dr. Bob Klein, SM-111, Arlington, VA, 10x Philmont alumnus

• Nearly all the Scouts that went to Philmont stuck with the program, only age-graduating out.

• Most of them also made Eagle too.

• Philmont gave them the confidence to tackle the even tougher stuff.

• Philmont Scouts are my most legitimate instructors - just a critically vital aspect to running a Scouting program.

• Just like me - virtually all of my Scouts who attended Philmont listed it as their Number 1 most important, life-altering experience in Scouts.

Why go to Northern Tier?

My limited communication skills leaves me unable to tell you exactly what it means to me to literally see my son grow before my eyes. His self-confidence has jumped up. His understanding of what he can do, and what he can try to do, has greatly expanded. His attitude towards challenges has changed; he now has at least some understanding of why he should seek to undertake something that he may fail at, instead of avoiding anything that he's not assured of succeeding at. He also understands that if you do fail (standing there in the middle of the trail in bog up to his waist), you can still pick yourself up (or have your friends pick you up) and succeed. I think he now understands the values of accepting risks.

He will talk about this, and be proud of what he's accomplished, for the rest of his life. And he should. He'll also be bonded to the Scouts he went on this trip with for the rest of his life, even if they separate in a year or two as they become involved in high school. I have told the parents that the Scouts that came home from this trip are not the boys they said goodbye to at the end of June. In fact, as I've written this, I've edited out the word "boy" and used "Scout", as "boy" no longer really fits them anymore. And I've been blessed to be a part of it, even if my back is absolutely killing me.

• self-confidence

• attitude towards challenges

• if you fail you can still pick yourself up

• accepting risks

• bonded to the Scouts he went on this trip with for the rest of his lifeSommers Canoe Base Trip Report, By Ronald Fox

WHO SHOULD GO?

Age-appropriate activities

Ref: Passport to High Adventure, pg 10

Nat’l high adventures

Regional high adventures

Non-BSA

back-country

& up

HOW TO, A.K.A. BEST PRACTICES!

Eligibility list best practices…• Be 14 years old by <date>.• Be 1st Class or higher rank.• A $100 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit is due on or

before our <date> crew meeting. • Space is limited; crew confirmations will be

extended to scouts based on descending order of rank, e.g. Eagle, Life, Star and 1st Class.

• Crew confirmations will be sent in <date>; if we’re oversubscribed your deposit will be returned and your son will be placed on a waiting list.

• Parents are encouraged to attend with their sons but may/may not be eligible depending on the number of Scouts participating.

Waiting list best practices…• Final crew selection is recommended by the Lead Advisor

(adult) and approved by the Troop Committee.

• Once the crew is approved no bumping (Scout or adult) will occur.

• Anyone meeting age/rank/weight criteria who signs up after Committee approval will be placed on a waiting list.

• If a Crew position becomes available it will be offered to Scouts on the waiting list. Priority will be in order of when they signed up and regardless of rank. The offer will be extended to all Scouts before being extended to any adults.

• If the crew position cannot be filled with a Scout from the waiting list then any adults on the waiting list will be offered the position. Priority will be in order of when they signed up, regardless of Committee title, and without preference for father/son combinations.

Conditioning best practices

• Be physically prepared to:• Hike 5-12 miles per day.• Carry a 35-50 lb pack.• Terrain includes steep, rocky trails.• Altitudes range from 6,500 to 12,500 feet.• Temperatures range from 30 to 90 F with 10-30%

humidity.• Expect afternoon thunderstorms.

• 4-6 tune-up hikes - participation at n-1 is required to remain eligible. Or 3 of 3.

• Steadily increase mileage and pack weight.

Tune-up hikes best practices• Backpacking training:

– Walking smart in the wilderness.

– Completing the hikes.

– Carrying your share of crew gear.

– Keeping up with the group's pace.

• Break in boots.• Building teamwork and

a sense of esprit de corps.

• Determine what equipment to bring/not to bring.

• Fitting packs.• Observe Crew Leader

candidates before vote.• Physical conditioning.• Practice map & compass,

follow trail signs.• Shakedown gear.• Simulate Philmont where

feasible, e.g. meals, tents, backpacking stoves.

• Working as a team vs. a group of individuals, inc. 1-pot cooking, cleanup and duty roster.

• How to do warm up and stretching exercises.

Signature, local, tune-up hikes• Pedro Trail, 6 MI, DAC/D-A,

• Wilderness Trail, 10 mi, Holly Recreation Area, BSA Tall Pines Council (Flint)

• Potawanami Trail, 17 mi, Pickney Recreation area, BSA Great Sauk Council (Ann Arbor)

• Chief Pontiac Trail, 17 mi, Proud Lake SRA, BSA Clinton Valley Council (Sterling Heights)

• Midland to Mackinac Pathway, 210 mi, BSA Lake Huron Council

• Oak Openings Preserve, Toledo, OH

• Buckeye Trail, Hocking Hills State Park, Logan, OH

“Youth-led crew” best practices

• Crew led by youth, elected by youth:– Crew Leader,

people focus– Quartermaster,

gear focus– Chaplain’s Aide,

morale focus• Recognize them with

a trading post gift at trail’s end!

• Navigator (daily rotation)• Use a duty roster.• Adults are crewmembers

too.• Let your crew leader lead!

Gear best practices

• Pack light:– Strictly follow the “Guide to adventure.”– Get lightweight, quick-dry, zip-off pants.– Avoid cotton.– Splurge on a luxury item.

• Sleeping bag – rated 25 F, 20”x10”, < 5 lb., water repellant stuff sack.

• Boots – 6”-8” high, fit well, sturdy, broken-in, water repellant.

• Socks – 2-pair (liner & outer) system.• Rain gear – breathable, test it!

Traveling best practices

• Full CLASS A Uniforms– “Full” means BSA shirt, BSA pants (short

or long) and BSA socks.

• Photo ID for all crewmembers.• Medical forms for all crewmembers.• Insurance card (photocopy) for all

crewmembers.• Metal detectors - Check (crew leader) and

re-check (crew advisor) that no one is carrying any questionable items.

FIELD

Setting expectations best practices• On a high adventure we are not individuals. Our Crew

is a 12-person crew. Everyone (all Scouts, all adults), regardless of age, rank or title is expected to cheerfully do more than their fair share. In short, the crew comes first.

• All Crewmembers (all Scouts, all adults) are expected to cheerfully take direction from the Crew Leader. The Crew Leader is expected to 'lead by example'.

• On a high adventure we will conduct ourselves according to the Scout Oath and Law at all times. This includes no ridicule, no name-calling, no swearing, and no fighting. The Crew Leader is expected to take responsibility for the conduct of the Crewmembers.

Trail morale best practices• Pack light, but allow everyone a luxury item.• Get up early, hike 2-3 miles before breakfast, get

to camp by noon. – Have tents up before the afternoon rain.– Enjoy time for programs / relax.

• All crew responsibilities are done before any personal activities.

• Use “Eagles Soaring High” (Philmont) or Northern Passages (Northern Tier) – daily passages give meaning to “A Scout is reverent”.

• Use “thorns & roses” – vent frustration, build enthusiasm.

• Bring a 1 lb bag of your favorite candy – you’ll know when it’s time to share it.

• Let your crew leader lead.

Action time!

New to high adventure? • Sign up with a DAC contingent to Philmont,

Northern Tier or Sea Base. • Philmont lottery gives preference to crews

who have never been.

“Been there, done that”?• Go somewhere new as an independent crew –

no DAC unit has ever been to Double H!• Only one DAC unit has trekked Isle Royale

The mountains are calling, and I must go. -- John Muir

Strong Values, Strong Leaders, Character Counts

Motivation best practices

High adventure represents 4 of the "top 5 coolest patches in Scouting"?

1 - Eagle, 2 - Philmont, 3 - Northern Tier, 4 - Sea Base, 5 - 50-miler afoot/afloat

Every so often it's time to re-publish the criteria. Three things...• Must be offered by BSA, and the best BSA has to offer.• Must be EARNED, and hard to earn. • Must be challenging, character-building, outdoor, high

adventure oriented experience that supports the 3 AIMS of scouting.

Q. How do you know a contender when you see one? A. Simple. It's the patches Scouts talk about at social gatherings

25 years later.

A WILDERNESS AREA asked hikers to fill out comment cards. These are actual comments left by hikers:• "A McDonalds would be nice at the trailhead."• "A small deer came into my camp and stole my jar of pickles. Is there a

way I can get reimbursed? Please call XXX-XXX-XXXX."• "Trail needs to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go

uphill."• "The places where trails do not exist are not well marked."• "Escalators would help on steep uphill sections."• "Too many rocks in the mountains."• “Too many bugs and leaches and spiders and spider webs. Please spray

the wilderness to rid the area of these pests.”• “Please pave the trails so they can be plowed of snow during the winter.”• “Chairlifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful

views without having to hike to them.”• “The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please

eradicate these annoying animals.”• “Reflectors need to be placed on trees every 50 feet so people can hike at

night with flashlights.”• “I brought lots of sandwich makings, but forgot bread. If you have extra

bread, leave it in the yellow tent at V Lake.”• “Need more signs to keep area pristine.”

Vision & Mission

MissionIt is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to serve others by helping to instill values in young people, and in other ways to prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in achieving their full potential. The values we strive to instill are found in the Boy Scout Oath and Law.

Boy Scout Oath On my honor I will do my bestTo do my duty to God and my countryand to obey the Scout Law;To help other people at all times;To keep myself physically strong,mentally awake, and morally straight.

Boy Scout Law A Scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, Reverent

VisionThe Boy Scouts of America is the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training.In the future Scouting will continue to•Offer young people responsible fun and adventure; •Instill in young people lifetime values and develop in them ethical character as expressed in the Scout Oath and Law; •Train young people in citizenship, service, and leadership; •Serve America's communities and families with its quality, values-based program.

The Eight Methods of Scouting1. Ideals: Each Scout commits himself to the personal behavior guides and standards in the

Scout motto, the slogan, the Oath and the Law

2. Patrols: Patrols give Scouts experience in teamwork, democracy and leadership.

3. Outdoors: Scouting emphasizes outdoors activities which foster an appreciation of nature and our ecology. Along the way, Scouts practice and learn new skills and develop confidence in their own abilities to cope with obstacles. Scouting is outing!

4. Advancement: The advancement program provides Scouts with a ladder of skills to climb at his own pace. On the way up, he has many opportunities to learn and to be recognized for his achievements.

5. Personal growth: All of the other methods contribute to the personal growth of a Scout through experience. The quest for growth is a method, too.

6. Adult association: Adult leaders, male and female, provide an example to Scouts of the high character they should strive for in their personal growth.

7. Leadership development: Making boys get leadership experiences is one of the most valuable things Scouting does.

8. Uniform: The uniform reminds a Scout of who he is and what is expected of him. It identifies him as part of a patrol, troop, council and worldwide youth movement. He can take pride in being a Scout, and in the achievements shown on his uniform and sash. Even neighborhood gangs recognize the importance of wearing a uniform, their colors.

Because high adventures offer crewmembers experiences that build character, fitness and citizenship.

Reference: SM Handbook, pg. 7

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Citizenship:• Learn about and take pride in his national heritage.• Develop an understanding of the social, economic and governmental systems of which he is a part.• Be of service to others.• Have knowledge of and respect for cultures and social groups other than hi own.• Be aware of community organizations and their functions.• Appreciate the environment and seek to protect it.

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Fitness:• Improve his general physical condition through exercise and participation in vigorous activities that might include outdoor adventures and sports.• Eat properly, get enough sleep, and follow other habits for good health.• Keep his weight within a healthy range.• Reject experimenting with tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs, or with other activities that can be harmful to himself or others. • Strive to be mentally alert.• Use good judgment and make sound decisions.• Train himself to be resourceful in solving problems.

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Character:• He becomes confident but is not conceited..• He is honest with himself and others.• His personal appearance shows that he respects himself.• He develops special skills and interests.• He can take care of himself, especially in emergencies.• He can be counted upon to do his best, even in difficult situations.• He practices his religious beliefs.• He respects other people regardless of their differences.