Intro to High AdventureIntro to High Adventure

How to plan that first adventure experience!How to plan that first adventure experience!

Dan Beard CouncilDan Beard Council November 2011November 2011

IntroductionIntroduction• Bill Theis

– Troop 555 in Madeira, Former Scoutmaster, Current Committee Chair– 2004 Wood Badge (Beaver)– wtheis@fuse.net

• 1980 Philmont– With Council Contingent

• 2008 Philmont – Crew Advisor

• 2011 Sea Base– Bahamas Sailing Adventure– 2 Crews of 8

• 2012 Philmont (In Progress)

CreditsCredits

• Daniel Katanski, Troop 446, Great Sauk Trail Council

• Cooper Wright, Venturing Crew 1519• “Trek Safely Training Outline,” #20-129, 2002

printing

• One of the best parts of Scouting!• High adventure treks are sought by older youth• They challenge and inspire both youth and

adults• They grow better leaders and build better units• Because you can!!

Why Plan a Trek?Why Plan a Trek?

Where to Trek?Where to Trek?

• Philmont• Sea Base• Northern Tier• National Jamboree• The Summit (2013+)• “Your Own Trek”• usscouts.org/netresources/ha.asp

– Lots of info!!

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““Trek On Safely”Trek On Safely”

1. Qualified supervision2. Keep fit3. Plan ahead4. Gear up5. Communicate clearly

and completely6. Monitor conditions7. Discipline

PlanningPlanning

• Questions for every trip…– Reservations? Most important for some treks

– Transportation?– Permits?– Crew size?– Funding?– Getting ready?

ReservationsReservations

• Understand the process– Can be complex

• What are the fees• When are payments due• Group sizes and adjustments

– Cutoff dates

• Cancellations• Scout ages are requirements

– Age 14 and first class typical (and recommended!)

ItineraryItinerary

• Create a detailed itinerary– Include travel details such as flight numbers, departure

and arrival times– Emergency contact information and when usable

• Set expectations– Describe possible contingencies, if appropriate

• Include expenses needed during travel

• You can’t communicate too much!

PermitsPermits• BSA Local Tour Permit required within 500 miles of

home and outside your council boundaries• BSA National Tour Permit required in excess of 500

miles from home • Tour Permits are an approved travel plan

– Troop identification– Leader in charge– Modes of transportation– Drivers (license numbers and vehicle and insurance

information)– Itinerary

• Other permits may be required (National Parks)

• Crew size– Can range from 4-12 people; 5-8 is ideal– May be dictated by the backcountry

management area’s rules

• BSA’s Adult Leadership Policy– One Advisor 21, second advisor at least 18– Co-ed Crews; At least one male and one

female leader, 21 years old or older– Three advisors recommended

CrewCrew

• The Crew Leader leads– Organizes the crew (may have Ass’t and QM)– Develops the duty roster– Seeks consensus from crew, but makes decisions

• The Crew Advisor advises– With the crew leader, develops the training program

for backcountry skills and building crew unity– Should only step in when there is a health or safety

issue– Daily “one-on-one” with Crew Leader

• Build crew unity by e.g., designing a distinctive crew shirt

CrewCrew

• Match the adventure to the group– Set challenging, but realistic goals

• Set physical standards– Conduct crew training (shakedowns)– Pay particular attention to adults

• Physically/emotionally unable crew members will ruin the crew’s experience

CrewCrew

ShakedownsShakedowns

• Practice “Mini-Treks” (3x or more)• Develop crew dynamics and unity, teach skills,

and build physical and emotional stamina• Train at home prior to shakedowns, then

practice what you have learned in the backcountry

• Build in duration and difficulty• Insist on full participation right from the start

Permission / Intent FormsPermission / Intent Forms

• Signed permission slips per standard BSA mode of operations

• For expensive treks add text describing the financial obligation & risky nature of the trek

• Permission to take youth out of state or country may be required– Signed by both parents (even if one is on the trek)

– May need to be notarized for some countries!

IdentificationIdentification

• Passports are now required to travel outside the USA!– Cost about $120– Require 12 weeks lead time

• Useful for all air travel – even domestic

• Photo ID– State can make a scout less than 16 years of

age a photo identification

ExpensesExpenses

• Trek leader has to manage it between:– Troop and Trek– Scout/ Scouter and Troop

• Disclose, disclose, disclose!• Be wary of conflicts of interest• Waiting list and refund policies

– Discuss this up-front!

• Many treks have 18 month lead times so fund raisers can work!

ExpensesExpenses• Fee for trek

– Fixed at BSA Bases

• Transportation– Gas, ferries, airplane, buss or train tickets

• Food– Often included in Trek Fee– Meals To/ From

• Equipment rentals– Canoes, scuba gear,…

• Miscellaneous and contingency funds– Miss the final lunch and buy T-shirts?

• Use crew/individual equipment checklists– Work with your outfitter/ base– Check all gear, especially personal gear before ever

going out– Learn to do with minimum; think multipurpose

• Teach safe operation of all equipment– Stoves, water purification/ pumps, bear bags

• What can Troop provide?

• It’s easy to take too much stuff– Then what??

EquipmentEquipment

• Develop tasty, easy to prepare, high energy meals– Good food feeds good crew morale

• Teach proper food handling, preparation and disposal– Try out trek foods during training to identify

likes/dislikes, and determine amounts needed– Use a detailed food buying list

FoodFood

FoodFood

• It’s heavy!

• Cost– Cheaper to bring with you, but inconvenient– Included at Seabase and Philmont

• Amount of cooking time– Lunch on trail vs. dinner at camp

• Refrigeration availability (likely not)

• Special dietary requirements

First Aid KitsFirst Aid Kits

• Troop and individual• Trek dependant• Prescriptions

– Double supply– Appoint an adult to dispense if needed

• Special needs– Epi pen– Insulin, sugar

• Be prepared

• First Aid– ARC Standard First Aid & CPR (minimum)– Wilderness First Aid (WFA, SOLO)

• Leave No Trace• Specialized training

– Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat– Climb On Safely– Trek Safely– Youth Protection Training (mandatory for

Advisors)– Back Country Outdoor Leader Skills

CertificationsCertifications

ContingenciesContingencies

• Trek leaders must have thought this through in advance– Ask the camp staff what you should plan for

• What-If…– There is a hurricane– Someone gets injured

• Can an adult go with the Scout and still have needed two-deep leadership??

– There is a family emergency

For “For “ScoutScout Run” Troops… Run” Troops…

• Some High Adventure Treks frequently have lead time greater than 18 months

• Troops change their youth leadership annually• Either you have to organize turnover between

youth to handle these treks…• Or have an adult leader organize the high

adventure treks• Planning them on a troop level is a major

undertaking

Last minute things to check…Last minute things to check…

• Are camp or open fires allowed on site?• Unusual weather conditions?• National security issues?• Last minute crew member or family issues?• Special Doctor notes?• No changes in diet and medications

– Can be devastating on some people

• Don’t worry… you’ll forget something!– But it will not be anything major if you do your homework.

Let’s Look at a Few Treks…Let’s Look at a Few Treks…

PhilmontPhilmont

• Highest Adventure in Scouting• 213 Sq. Miles in the Mountains in

Northeast New Mexico• This ain’t no picnic…

– Hike 70 - 100 miles in 10 days at 6-12,000 ft.– Requires months of conditioning

• A ‘Rite of Passage” for a Scout

PhilmontPhilmont

• Council Contingents– Organizes several crews of 12 Scouts per

year– Space is available for 2012

• 14 day trip including travel– 2 days travel– 2 days in base camp– 10 days on the trail

PhilmontPhilmont

• Schedule you own trek?

• 18 month lead time!!

• 2013 registration information:

• Unit representatives may log on to http://philmontreservations.wslive.com/2013 during Week Two: Nov 7 - 13

• Date selection is part of registration• You will be contacted if you win a trek

PhilmontPhilmont• 12 day trek costs $770 per person

– Add in transportation and travel meals & crew gear

• The hidden costs…– $50 to $300 Boots– $50 to $500 Backpack– $30 to $300 Sleeping bag– $20 to $150 Sleeping pad– $$$ Hiking socks, non-cotton clothes, rain gear– $40 to $200 walking sticks

• The cost of the equipment can easily exceed the other trip fees!!

Sea BaseSea Base

• Florida Keys or Bahamas

www.bsaSeaBase.org– Nancy Wells, Sea Base Registrar, (305) 664-5616

• 10 different adventures• Base Cost is $725 per person• Est. Cost for Bahamas trek is $1300

– Incl. Transportation cost (charter flight)

Sea BaseSea Base

• Crews selected by annual lottery– Similar to Philmont, but less competitive

• Registration is on-line• 2012 Open registration available Now• 2013 registration will open in January• You can make multiple date choices

Northern TierNorthern Tier

• Canoe and fishing treks

• Mostly flat water and portages

Northern TierNorthern Tier

• Dates choices, length and base selection

• Reservations for 2013 season begin in April

• Call (218) 365-4811 or info@ntier.org  

• They never fill up all of their trips

• About 2/3 the cost of Philmont or Seabase!

National JamboreeNational Jamboree

• If you can go, then GOGO!

• Is it “High Adventure”?

• You can’t do everything that is there!

• It’s part of the full Scouting experience!

• Fantastic 10-day for the Scouts!

• Can not go on your own– Contingent organized by Council– You can visit but not participate

National JamboreeNational Jamboree

• 40,000+ Scouts and Scouters– Next Jambo will be at “The Summit” in 2013

• Multiple troops from our Council– ~40 Scouts and 3 Scouters per troop– Scouters consider earning your Wood Badge beads– Or be on staff (8,000 staffers)

• 2010 cost was $1300 per scout– Including Washington DC tour

This is the BeginningThis is the Beginningof your Trekking Adventures…of your Trekking Adventures…

But it’s the end of this Session!