HIGH ADVENTURE CAMPS

 

You’ve been rock climbing, spelunking (caving), hiking the Appalachian Trail, biking on the C&O Canal, skiing, beach camping, and, of course, you’ve been to summer camp,. What else is there?

 

Getting tired of the same old trips year after year? Boy Scouts has much more to offer than just your normal monthly camping trip. If you think you’re ready for a challenge, why don’t you try a high adventure camp? Below you will find a description and a link for some of the most popular high adventure camps in the US. Explore!

 

 

First up    Philmont  !

 

If you’ve been in scouts for a while, chances are you’ve heard of Philmont.

 

Here are some excerpts from the website:   Philmont “ is a national camping area, owned and operated by the Boy Scouts of America. Philmont is large, comprising 137,493 acres or about 215 square miles of rugged mountain wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) range of the Rockies. 32 staffed camps and 50 unstaffed camps are operated by the ranch. Philmont has high mountains which dominate rough terrain with an elevation ranging from 6,500 to 12,441 feet.”

 

“Since Philmont's first camping season in 1939, more than 650,000 Scouts, Explorers and their leaders have participated in the rugged challenge of its backpacking program. Philmont's camping season is from mid-June to late August. Scouts and Explorers must be in top physical condition, at least 14 years of age by January 1 of the year in which they attend or have completed the eighth grade, and registered members of the Boy Scouts of America. Organized into crews of 7-12, including at least two adult leaders, participants hike Philmont's mountains for ten full days, spending nights at various backcountry camps. At staffed camps, crews can participate in a variety of programs presented by Philmont backcountry staff. Among these programs are horseback riding, burro packing, gold panning, rock climbing, 30.06 rifle shooting, archaeology, mountain biking and interpretive programs such as homesteading and mountain man rendezvous. “

“In addition to regular expeditions, Philmont offers several special programs. These include Cavalcades (expeditions on horseback), Mountain Men and Mountain Women (a provisional 6-day experience for family members of Training Center participants), Rayado Treks, an extended expedition for Scouts and Explorers who have attained a high degree of backpacking skill and who are at least 15 years or ninth grade graduates, and not yet 21, and Trail Crew, a 28-day combination trail building and expedition. “

 

 Northern Tier

Less well known than Philmont is the Northern Tier High Adventure Bases. There are three camps located in Ely Minnesota, Bissett, Manitoba, and Atikokan Ontario. They specialize in canoe trips through virtually untouched wilderness areas.

Here are some excerpts from the website: 

“From June to September, Northern Tier offers Scouts and Venturers the world's best wilderness canoeing.  

Beginning in December, you may participate in the challenging cold-weather camping program called Okpik (OOk' pick). “ 

“Welcome to the Northern Tier. You are stepping into a country explored by few people. From June through August, Northern Tier takes pride in offering Scouts the world's best canoeing. Choosing your Northern Tier program base is your first step. The Northern Tier has several adventures, each with a different character. Come with the Northern Tier on an unforgettable journey through the heart and soul of  Canoe Country. “

 

 Florida Seabase

Seabase offers a wide variety of opportunities for different water-based adventures. Many of the camps offer the opportunity to explore the Bahamas.

 

From the website:

"The Florida National High Adventure Sea Base is headquartered in the heart of the fabulous Florida Keys, on an island (Lower Matecumbe Key - MAP) 75 miles south of Miami and near Mile Marker 74 (at MM 73.8 to be precise). Key West, the southernmost point in the Keys, Florida and the United States, is located at Mile Marker zero. (For mailing and physical address, visit the contact page.)"

"Scouting's most complete aquatic facility offers a complete variety of water activities from SCUBA diving to sailing "Tall Ships". All of our participants have the opportunity to swim, snorkel, and fish among the most beautiful coral reefs in the northern hemisphere."

 

 

And, of course, there’s the National Jamboree, held every four years at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia.

National Jamboree

According to the official website: 

“Program features reflect the skills of Scouting, our national heritage, physical fitness, environmental conservation, and the true spirit of Scouting.

Daily activities include archery, bikathlon, buckskin games, confidence course, conservation programs, scuba, kayak fun, racing shell run, and raft encounters.

Regional action centers with rappelling towers are truly popular, as are trap shooting, an American Indian village, and the opening and closing arena shows, not to mention daily stage shows and many other activities. It's Scouting and American history at their very best!”

 

The qualifications may change from one jamboree to the next, but haven’t varied much for the last few. Here are the qualifications for the 2005 Jamboree:

“Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts must be at least First Class Scouts. They must have completed the sixth grade or be at least 12 years of age by July 1, 2005, but not have reached their 18th birthday by August 3, 2005. All Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts must participate in a prejamboree training experience; file a complete Personal Health and Medical Record prior to the prejamboree training; have been active in a troop or team for at least six months prior to July 1, 2005; and be approved by the unit leader and local council.”

 

For information on other camps available across the US and Canada, click on this link:   BSA Camps