From: John Oakes <joakes@UNM.EDU>
Has anybody considered other options? FOR INSTANCE... A Pecos Wilderness Trek? National Geographic even started their article concerning the Pecos Wilderness, And I quote. "Pecos is not for Sissys". It is located in the Northeastern portion of New Mexico. As a New Mexican.. who has been back country Philmont and backcountry Pecos.. I choose Pecos. More challenging, more pristine, more rugged, more breathtaking vistas, LESS people, MORE UNTOUCHED WILDERNESS. Get the picture? Philmont is fine but why compete with 19,000 others? Anyone interested can contact Great Southwest Council, Albuquerque, New Mexico 505-345-8603 for details.
John
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 1994 23:07:33 -0500
From: SMURF <CS3MURPHY@APSICC.APS.EDU>
I must agree with John, the Pecos is awesome. All you have to do is either plan your own trek, or go to Camp Frank Rand in the Great Southwest Council (yes, the same council that has Philmont), you can take your whole troop, let the older guys go to the pecos, and the younger can do Merit badges and First Year Camper stuff. Just call that number above for more information.
Kevin
Lodge 66 Yah-Tah-Hey-Si-Kess Kevin Murphy
Mescelaro Chapter Meechgalhakquot Wischixin
Great Southweat Council Vigil 94'
Hello, Gary, from the Great Southwest Council (your neighbor in Northern New Mexico, and home of Philmont Scout Ranch). At Camp Frank Rand, we offer a 5 day trek into the Pecos Wilderness. The trek is done on a provisional basis at the moment, but may change to allow troops or patrols to participate as well, but with crew size limits as imposed by the authorities. We are hoping to expand our program for next summer to allow for more treks per week.
The Pecos Wilderness program has been both successful and not successful depending upon OUR promotional efforts. We offer similar elevation, beautiful scenery, rugged mountains and challenge as the Philmont Treks. (NOTE: WE ARE NOT PHILMONT, AND IN NO WAY WISH TO DRAW AWAY FROM PHILMONT'S ATTENDANCE OR SPECIAL ATTRACTION FOR SCOUTS AND SCOUTERS. IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO GO TO PHILMONT, GO!)
However, if you can't go to Philmont, Camp Frank Rand offers the next best thing. For information, contact:
The Great Southwest Council
5841 Office Blvd N.E.
Albuquerque, NM 87544
(505) 345-8603
Gary, I believe Scout Camps should offer high adventure programs if they will be truly special for the participants. If they can't be special, then don't keep the boys (and young ladies in Exploring) from going somewhere else. Thanks for the opportunity to put in a plug for a really great wilderness experience.
Jim Van Hecke I used to be an Owl...
vanhecke_j_f_jr@lanl.gov
Camping Chairman
Great Southwest Council, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Kshippehellen Kitchkinet - Swift Current Guide
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 1994 09:29:34 -0500
From: Bob McGwier <n4hy@CCR-P.IDA.ORG>
I remember waking up my first morning on Hamilton Mesa and going down to the Pecos River and catching Trout for breakfast. What a fantastic place. It does NOT replace Philmont in my opinion but is a great place.
Robert W. McGwier | n4hy@ccr-p.ida.org: ham radio, scouts,
Center for Communications Research | astronomy, golf (o yea, & math!) ASM
Princeton, N.J. 08520 | Troop 5700, ACM Pack 53, Sanhican #2 WWW,
(609)-279-6240(v) (609)-924-3061(f)| District and Council Activities Chair.
(609-443-8963 (h) | I used to be a Buffalo . . . NE III-120
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 1994 10:20:00 -0500
From: "Chris Haggerty, Sierra Vista, Arizona"
<CHAGGERTY%ARIZBPA.BITNET@PUCC.Princeton.EDU>
John,
What separates Philmont from the Pecos or any other wilderness area and there lots of good ones across our country is the PROGRAM. In the Pecos you have to develop your own program. At Philmont it is there waiting for you when you get to camp. Remember, Philmont is more than just a backpacking experience.
Chris Haggerty, District Advancement Chairman,
Cochise District, Catalina Council, Sierra Vista, Arizona
Bitnet: CHAGGERTY@ARIZBPA.BITNET (TCP/IP is Internet)
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 1994 14:06:30 -0500
From: John Oakes <joakes@UNM.EDU>
On Tue, 23 Aug 1994, Chris Haggerty, Sierra Vista, Arizona wrote:
> John,
> ...
Chris,
In the past you may have been able to say that but, surely not this year or the coming years. The Council here is placing HEAVY emphasis on this. Our Pecos Trek crews are as well if not better organized than the Philmont boys.
John
From: wood@gdwest.gd.com (Jack Wood)
Subject: Grand Canyon Trip
Date: 19 Aug 1994 14:23:24 -0700
In July, our troop did a 7-day trek across the Grand Canyon. Three Venture Scouts, two ASM's and me. Man, was it hot (109oF = 43oC)! We had meant to go in June, but couldn't get the requisite campground reservations. We met lots of folks down there.. rangers, mule-riders, day-hikers and other backpackers (from Italy, Netherlands, France, Sweden, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Philipines,Japan, Israel, Turkiye & even New Jersey!) I thought many of them had been in the USA especially for the World Cup, but very few had come for that. We didn't know the final winners until two days after the last game.(Congrats, Brazil) The Canyon is a favorite stop for lots of US & foreign visitors. Over five million last year, and the average stay is *two* hours !
Starting from the south rim, we crossed to the north rim in 3 days (24 miles) and back south in 4 days. To save weight, we decided not to take tents. That was ok except on the north rim where we got caught in a nighttime thunderstorm. Improvised shelters (poly sheet) worked ok. B.-P.'s motto is "Be Prepared".. but ours was "Make Do With What You Packed!" . It rained like crazy every afternoon, but the rain evaporated before reaching us, being as much as 6000 feet below the rims. Several people were hit by lightening on the south rim, but they survived, we understood from a ranger who attended them. July is known as "monsoon season" to the "Zonies" (Arizona residents).
Bright Angel Creek and other creeks were nearby much of the way, and so we were able to cool off when most needed. Our food plan worked out fine, except with all the heat, we didn't eat it all. We ended up donating some of our food to fellow hikers. To survive in the heat, we started hiking each day at 0530. Some days we got to our next stop at 0930, and had the whole day to play around. We must have played 200 card games of "hearts". Our 17 year old experienced altitude sickness at 7800', coming up from 4600'. Gratefully, he learned some really important values of proper hydration and nutrition in such an unforgiving environment. He had sworn, for an unknowable reason, that he would have lunch on the north rim, and ran out of water a mile from the top. The Scouts flirted with what I called "point-shaving" : carrying a calculated minimum of water to reach the next source. They didn't really know the math !
My backpacking camera had "bit the dust" (died) before we went, and all I had with me was one of those new Kodak disposable panoramic cameras, which of course I saved only for panoramic shots. Those 15 wide snapshots are just *spectacular*. The other guys haven't shared their pix yet, but they took the closeups of the deer eating oatmeal, chipmunks on the table, etc. Some of my pix captured the breathtaking beauty of this geological wonder of the world.
When I took that last step up into the parking lot at the south rim, I said thanks to God I didn't have to use my Visa card for a helicopter ride out of there! (the rangers say a ride costs upward of $1200, and several folks were airlifted-out during our trip.) Next year, we're heading for the high Sierras again, unless there's a too-deep snowpack again this winter. Our guys had the time of their lives. It was a trip to remember ! I just wish more of our BSA units could do this trip. We only met two other Scout troops on the whole trek. If you're interested, write to Grand Canyon Backcountry Office, PO Box 129, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023.
1994 may have been the last time for a couple of years when you could do a rim-rim-rim: next spring they're expecting to start rebuilding the water system, which will close the north rim trail. But there are still lots of other routes available. They had a maximum crew size of 11 this year, and reservations had to be made at least 5 months in advance. The total cost per head for our crew was right at $150. (600 miles from San Diego)
YIS
Jack Wood Scoutmaster Troop 668, Escondido CA
wood@gdwest.gd.com Eagle Patrol (W49-88)
(Ans)(619)747-9570 Desert Pacific Council BSA (HQ San Diego)
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 1994 13:50:55 -0500
From: Don Izard <IZARD%UBVM.BITNET@PUCC.Princeton.EDU>
We previously had a short exchange about missing out on Philmont. Philmont is a great experience, HOWEVER, there are many other great ways to experience scouting. My own memories of Philmont are not that great, HOT and dusty when we arrived, rain and hail in cold mud later in the week!
Adirondek treks are another great adventure. And you can do a total wilderness trek, or combine hike, rock climbs and canone treks, with BASE camp activities, and/or merit badge work. And for units in NY and NEW england, the price to inlcude transportation is about 1/2 of Philmont!
The are also great treks in Maine, and even Canada, in the Ontario provential parks such as Algonquin or the Halibuton Highlands areas. The are also great mountain treks in New hampshire, along the presidential range, to Mount Washington etc.
I guess my thought is, "SO WHAT, you got closed out at Philmont." There are still many great, maybe even better treks available. For the Adirondek treks, you can arrange your own, or the various camps will set up everything for you, including a Vouyager/guide. (in the tradings of the old traper guiders). I like the Adirondek treks so much, I plan on going back and taking my family on one of the Easy canoe routes. Even if the group camp fire may be smaller. BUT, on the easy routes there are ofter other groups near buy more than willing to sit arround a warm fire and tell CAMP stories etc.
It is not philmont, and you will not get a black bull to wear, but you can wear the LOON, which is far more rare than the bull!
Don Izard,
yeah I been to Philmont! And no PAB, we did not have to shoot Buffalo with our black
powder rifles for food on the trail ;)
BNUT we did have BUFFALO JERKY ! ;)
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 1994 19:26:49 -0500
From: Rick Clements <rickcl@POGO.WV.TEK.COM>
I have great memories of Philmont, but if you can't get into Philmont -- like Don pointed out -- there are other opportunities. Right now, our troop has a crew out hiking the Pacific Crest trail. They plan to cover a little over 50 miles in 6 days. The Pacific Crest trail runs from Canada to Mexico. There is a similar trail in the Aplachian Mts.. (I bet you could find a weeks worth of hiking in the Rockies, Ozarks, Blue Mts or Porkupine Mts..)
A few years ago, our troop did a week long canoe trip. I don't know the details, but many areas have good canoeing. Our troop has talked about a week long bike ride along the coast. When I was a Scout, our troop went tent camping in the snow. (That's the weekend I did my cooking merit badge.) This was in the winter, but Mt. Hood does have snow all year around.
The waiting list is about as long as Philmont, but when I was an Explorer we went camping in the southern most National Forest. (It's 3/4's of one of the Virgin Islands.) This isn't rustic camping; they provided wall tents. But, we had a lot of fun.
To answer Don, you loose the program the Philmont provides. But, you're right there are a lot of other good activities.
Rick.Clements@tek.com Committee Member/Troop 721/Reedville, OR USA
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 1995 11:00:13 -0500
From: Ed Henderson <BigEdBSA@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Need high adventure alternative BSA/GSUSA
Sharon & Others....
There is ONE place in the USA where the Boy Scouts of America (Flint River Council BSA) and the GSUSA (Pine Valley Girl Scout Council) work hand in hand at the Thunder Scout Reservation for two one week sessions of Co-Ed High Adventure Camp for Exploring & Senior Girl Scouts.
Now in its third year, the Program has grown to rave reviews and is very popular with the professional staff and volunteers of both councils. Exact costs & information is being developed now. For more information call the Flint River Council Scout Service Center & talk to our Field Director, Ray Hair (or E-Mail him at RHappstate@aol.com) If you send your snail mail address he can send you a Co-Ed High Adventure brocure when it becomes available.in January.
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 1995 12:06:16 +0500
From: Daniel W Brown <dabrown2@VT.EDU>
Subject: Re: Need high adventure alternative BSA/GSUSA
Ed Henderson wrote:
>Sharon & Others....
>There is ONE place in the USA where the Boy Scouts of America (Flint River
> ...
Make that TWO Ed. Coed Explorer Posts and units from the Virginia Skyline Conucil GSUSA have participated in the High Knoll Trail Camp at the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation since the early eighties.
The High Knoll Trail Camp is a Philmont style backpacking program that operates in the backcountry of our large reservation with more than 100 miles of hiking trails, six staffed outpost camps and a several of unstaffed outposts. Crews on High Knoll will hike from outpost to outpost participating in at least one of our unique outposts each day. During the week, each crew will cover between 35 and 50 miles of rugged and primitive trails. The manned outposts may include King Ranch (horseback riding, western lore, chili, and cornbread), Hanks Haven (mountain biking), Puncheon Camp (wilderness and rough living), Bark Camp (rock climbing and rappelling), White Oak Camp (tree spiking and logging lore), Point Camp (rock climbing and rappelling), Indian Village (Native American lore and crafts), Appalachian living (mountain lore, and crafts) and Rendezvous (black powder rifle) . All outposts are not offered in all years. The participants on High Knoll can also arrange a white water canoeing or white water rafting trip as part of their trek or on the Saturday before or after their trek. There is an additional fee for whitewater trips. The program is open to scouts 12-1/2 by June 1 and a first class scout. We recommend that a scout have two years experience at summer camp before going on High Knoll. Coed explorer posts are welcome at High Knoll and there are opportunities for provisional participants.
Below is the full blurb on the BRSR.
Reservation Blue Ridge Scout Reservation
Council Blue Ridge Mountains
Office (Mailing) PO Box 7606 Roanoke VA 24019-0606
Office (Location) 2101 Valley View Blvd Roanoke VA
Office Phone 540-265-0656
Camp Rt 1 Box 98A Hawassee VA 24347 (Near Pulaski VA on Interstate 81)
Programs Camp Powhatan (Summer Camp), Camp Ottari (Summer Camp), New
River High Adventure, High Knoll Trail Camp, Byrd Lodge Sailing Camp
The Blue Ridge Scout Reservation located forty miles west of Roanoke in southwestern Virginia. It is within an eight hour drive of about of all or part of fifteen states and welcomes out of council troops. Many out of council troops come back year after year. They come mostly from the mid-Atlantic states, but we have had troops this year from Texas, Florida, Mississippi, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Ohio. Next year we have one coming from Arizona. The 16,000 acre reservation is the largest council owned scout reservation in the nation. The BRSR is located in the ridge and valley terrain of the Appalachian mountains and includes several mountains and three large watersheds. There are over 100 miles of hiking trails. Many of these trails are also suitable for mountain biking and horseback riding.
The New River High Adventure Program is for older scouts, explorers and adults that are camping with their troops at Camp Ottari or Camp Powhatan. High Adventure participants have a different high adventure opportunity each day. The programs available this year are White Water Canoeing, White Water Rafting, Caving, COPE Climbing, and Rappelling, and Mountain Biking. The COPE course features a 40 foot climbing/rappelling tower. Participants must be 13 by January 1 of the year that they participate.
White Water Canoeing is done off reservation on the New River or James River depending on water level and other factors. Transportation for all off reservation trips is provided by fifteen passenger vans. Lunch is provided for all day programs. All boats and safety equipment is provided and all trips are guided. White Water Rafting is done off reservation at West Virginias New River Gorge called the grand canyon of the east. Transportation and meals are provided en route. Caving is done off reservation at one of several caves in the area. Our COPE course and climbing/rappelling tower is located on the reservation. Mountain Biking is done on the reservation on our extensive 100 mile trail system.
The High Knoll Trail Camp is a Philmont style backpacking program that operates in the backcountry of our large reservation with more than 100 miles of hiking trails, six staffed outpost camps and a several of unstaffed outposts. Crews on High Knoll will hike from outpost to outpost participating in at least one of our unique outposts each day. During the week, each crew will cover between 35 and 50 miles of rugged and primitive trails. The manned outposts may include King Ranch (horseback riding, western lore, chili, and cornbread), Hanks Haven (Mountain biking), Puncheon Camp (wilderness and rough living), Bark Camp (rock climbing and rappelling), White Oak Camp (tree spiking and logging lore), Point Camp (rock climbing and rappelling), Indian Village (Native American lore and crafts), Appalachian living (Mountain lore, and crafts) and Rendezvous (Black powder) . All outposts are not offered in all years. The participants on High Knoll can also arrange a white water canoeing or white water rafting trip as part of their trek or on the Saturday before or after their trek. There is an additional fee for whitewater trips. The program is open to scouts 12-1/2 by June 1 and a first class scout. We recommend that a scout have two years experience at summer camp before going on High Knoll. Coed explorer posts are welcome at High Knoll and there are opportunities for provisional participants.
Byrd Lodge is a new camp that is scheduled to open in the 1996 season. Byrd Lodge is located a few miles off of the reservation on Claytor Lake. Program details are not yet available, but the camp will offer basic and advanced sailing, motorboating and water skiing. The camp program will also include some or all of the aquatics merit badges except swimming which is a prerequisite for all participants.
Camp Ottari is the smaller camp of our two camps and is located on the eastern end of the reservation. It accommodates around 200 scouts and leaders in ten sites. It is the most rugged and most beautiful of the two camp and sits in hilly terrain with a mix of forest types. Ottari has the largest of our two lakes which allows us to offer small boat sailing. The lake features a good population of bass and bluegill.
Camp Powhatan, on the western end of the reservation, is larger and can handle up to 350+ scouts and leaders in 14 sites. It is located in the valley of Max Creek and is not quite as hilly as Ottari. The camp has been in continuos operation since the 1950s. Its facilities include a new 400 seat dining hall, a 900 seat amphitheater, and several new showers. The lake is stocked with trout.
Programs for both camps include a traditional merit badge program, first class adventure program, and demonstrations. One popular feature is a weekly cooking demonstration at each camp by nationally known camp cook and author Torchy Walrath. Horesback riding, mountain biking, any hiking are available for the more adventurous.
Costs (1995 Season) Camp Powhatan and Camp Ottari - $115 (in council) and $125 (Out of Council). Provisional $10 extra. High Knoll and New River High Adventure - $135 (in council) and $145 (Out of Council). Provisional $10 extra. There are extra fees for Ottari and Powhatan participants for mountain biking, horseback riding, white water trips and climbing. There are extra fees for High Knoll participants for white water trips. There are no extra fees for New River High Adventure.
Staff It take more than 100 staff members to operate these programs in a safe and professional manner and we need to replace retiring and add new staff members every year. We have positions for male and female scouts, explorers, and adults. Interested persons should contact the council office before Christmas of the previous year.
Additional Information If you are interested, there is a twenty some minute video that covers all of our camps and the council office will send you one free of charge. Contact the office at Blue Ridge Mountain Council, PO Box 7606, Roanoke VA, 24010-0606. Telephone 703-265-0656 or contact Dan Brown at 540-951-4451 (O) or 540-951-3642 (H)..
YIS WWW I used to be a fox (SE-261)
Dan Brown Mimawanachen Wikhetschik (Trail Builder) ASM T56 (est. 1922)
Blacksburg VA, New River District, Blue Ridge Mountains Council, Tutelo
Lodge #161
Technical Writer @ Litton Poly-Scientific (Security Products) dabrown2@vt.edu
>Could someone please post the information phone number for Sea Base? My troop
>would love to go.
And the number is......(305) 664-4173
And while I'm at it, the numbers for the other national high adventure bases, should someone want them:
Philmont: (505) 376-2281
Northern Tier: (218) 365-4811
YiS,
Warren Williams
Assistant Scoutmaster/High Adventure, Troop 18
Jackson, Mississippi
Date: Tue, 28 Nov 1995 14:16:18 -0500
From: Brent Roylance <BRoylance@AOL.COM>
Troop 951 went to Packard High Adventure Base in Colorado last year. It is west of Pueblo by Salida. We enjoyed the mountain biking (rented from a local merchant) and climbed Mt Shavano (14,229 ft). The planned white water was cancelled due to the high water the camp director's safety concerns. I can be reached at broylance@aol.com if you would like more info.
Yis,
Brent Roylance - still a Buffalo....
Date: Tue, 28 Nov 1995 12:48:30 EST
From: MR TERRY L GARDNER <PNZQ86C@PRODIGY.COM>
Sara Duff wrote that she had problems with philmont, and was looking for an alternative.
Utah National Parks council has a weeks adventure at Beaver High Adventure Base outside of Beaver Utah. you can choose 5 outpost programs each requiring at least a 2 mile hike to each one and food and camping gear can also be provided. They have: mountain biking, a 200 yard zip line, aquatics, survival techniques, Camelot with jousting and a treetop village sleeping area, mountain man adventure with black powder shooting, hawks&knives,rapelling and rock climbing, a COPE course, three peaks hike with 20 miles of rugged hiking and a 50 miler. All this for 120.00 for out of state ( I think it is slightly less with own gear)
Having been there for my woodbadge course and having sent my varsity age son for All stars (JLT) there I can say the country is great the course is challenging and the staff has been great the two years I have been.
You can contact Utah National Parks Council for more information at
BSA, UNPC, 250 West 500 North PROVO UTAH, 84603
or contact Steve Foster at 801-896-5276
Yis
Terry Gardner EPA
used to be an EAGLE... look out food chain
From: stolz@fnusgd.fnal.gov (Mike Stolz - ext. 8060 - ms. 120 - Gone fishin` ...)
Date: 20 May 94 10:11:13 -0600
Newsgroups: rec.scouting
Subject: High Adventure Bases - USA/No. America
It's been a *loooong* time since I posted this - I guess its overdue.
I am very interested in knowing about any North American High Adventure Bases. I'm specifically looking for Bases that offer programs of 3 or more days specifically for Scouts 13.5 and older. If you know of other camps, or can give me feedback on any of these, my Internet address is: stolz@fnboot.fnal.gov
High Adventure Bases - compiled by Mike Stolz - as of 1/6/93
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philmont Scout Ranch
Cimarron, NM 87714
(505) 376-2281
Offers 20 different treks, from fairly easy to rugged. You hike an average of 9 to 12 miles per day, with different activities at each campsite. Our guys go every other year. Reservations should be made a year in advance.
Northern Tier Nat'l High Adventure
PO Box 509
Ely, MN 55731
(218) 365-4811
Florida Nat'l High Adventure Base
PO Box 858
Islamorada, FL 33036
I believe the Maine Nat'l High Adventure Base has closed.
> Yes, the Maine High Adventure Base has closed temporarily...
> It will reopen next year under the guidance of Pine Tree Council
> (South Western Maine)
> Scott Bernier - ASM Troop 443 Winslow, ME --Pine Tree Council
Adirondack Adventure Area
Northeast Region BSA
PO Box 350
Dayton, NJ 08810
Has 18 treks available and opportunities to do high peaks backpacking, canoe tripping, cruising class sailing, combination treks, and Voyageur training.
Charles C. Topmiller Tropical canoe Base
South Florida Council
8100 Oak Lane
Miami Lakes, FL 33016
Le'Hoksen High Adventure Base
Goshen Scout Camps
National Capital Area Council
9190 Wisconsin Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 530-9360
The Goshen Scout Camps consist of around 5,000 acres, 500 of which are the lake. Le'Hoksen is 1 of 6 camps, and 2 others are are for Webelos. Goshen is in the Shenandoah Mountains, about 3.5 hrs. from Washington. (Take I-66 west to I-81 south, exit at Staunton....).
Maine High Adventure B.S.A.
P.O. Box 312
Hallowell, Maine 04347
(207) 622-7570
In the December 1992 issue of "Scouter Digest" published by the National Capital Area Council (NCAC), the following camping news item appeared:
A group of Maine landowners, scout councils, and other interested parties have made it possible for older scouts to experience the great Maine outdoors. From a base on Grand Lake Matagamon, with property and equipment provided by National B.S.A., Maine High Adventure B.S.A. will operate a program on 6 million acres of private and public land in the great north woods. Four major watersheds, including the Penobscot, Allagash, Aroostook and St. John, and also Baxter STate Park are accessible for High Adventure canoeing and hiking trips. Early registrations are encouraged to guarantee a trip.
Northern Wisconsin National Canoe Base
Boulder Junction, WI
for contact information, ask your local council.
Known for their training, trip planning, ability to host groups with or without their own equipment, novice or experienced campers, and natural beauty of Northern Wisconsin. Training provided for every group member plus older Scouts can take Voyager training.
Tinnerman Canoe Base
Greater Cleveland Council
2241 Woodland Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115-3295
(216) 861-6060
The Base is on the French River in upper Ontario, east of Georgian Bay (Lake Huron). Its near Parry Sound, about half way between Toronto and Sudbury off route 69.
Mead Wilderness Area
Daniel Webster Council
571 Holt Ave.
Manchester, NH 03103
(603) 625-6431
Teton High Adventure Base
Great Salt Lake Council
525 Foothill Blvd
Salt Lake City, UT 84113
(801) 582-3663
This camp was great. We did the 3-day whitewater trip - day 1 is on rafts in Teton Nat'l Park, days 2 & 3 are in canoes on class-3 rapids. You WILL get wet. Our cost in 1991 was something like $92.00 per person. They also offer a 4-day backpack trip in the Tetons. The camp is about 10 miles south of Jackson, Wyoming.
Cole Canoe Base
Detroit Area Council
1776 W. Warren Ave.
Detroit, MI 48208
(313) 897-1965
Packard High Adventure Base
Rocky Mountain Council
PO Box 3292
Pueblo, CO 81005
(303) 561-1220
Salmon River High Adventure Base
Teton Peaks Council
574 4th St.
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
According to their brochure, you get to do whitewater rafting and kayaking, and rappelling in the evenings. It looks like a 3-day trip cost $90.00 as of 1991. Camp is near North Fork, Idaho.
The High Knoll Trail Camp- Camp Ottari
Blue Ridge Mountains Council
2131 Valley View Dr.
Roanoke, VA
Has hiking in rugged terrain to various outposts, including horse- back riding, climbing and rappelling, logging and tree spiking, mountain man camp, wilderness survival, a COPE course, and much more. The cost is $105, which includes food and program equipment. Treks are (apparently) 5 to 6 days long. An excellent recommendation for the High Knoll Trail comes from James Revell <revell@uunet.uu.net> who took it twice.
Lawhorn Scout Canoe Base - Flint River
PO Box 173
Griffin, GA 30224
(404) 227-4556
Black Hills Area Council
PO Box 2931
Rapid City SD 57709
(605) 342-2824
Cedarlands Scout Reservation - Adirondacks
1401 Genesee St.
Utica, NY 13501
(315) 735-4437
Has 550 acres of mountains, lakes, and wilderness, located near Long Lake, NY Available activities include rock climbing, rappelling, sailing, and extended wilderness trips.
San Isabel Scout Ranch & High Adventure Base
Rocky Mountains Council
PO Box 3292
Pueblo, CO 81005
(719) 561-1220
Has whitewater rafting, backpacking, rock climbing, trout fishing.
***********************************************************************
Mike Stolz - CM, ASM, WWW 140
* BITNET: STOLZ@FNAL INTERNET: STOLZ@FNBOOT.FNAL.GOV
* Phone: 708-840-8060
* MS: 120 Wilson Hall 8 Eas
* FermiLab, P.O. Box 500, Batavia, IL 60510
From: MGTG18A@prodigy.com (James Misenti)
Newsgroups: rec.scouting
Date: 31 Jul 1995 00:58:41 GMT
Hi.... My name is Mike and I am from Troop 22 in East Haddam Ct. I was wondering if anyone could please give us some locations of High advenuror Bsa adventure locations besides Philmont, maine or the florida sea base..
Thanks mike misenti and troop 22
From: user@portal.dx.net (dorm)
Newsgroups: rec.scouting
Date: 31 Jul 1995 00:13:23 -0400
I don't know of any other BSA high adventure areas, but I do know that Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park, Colorado is sure great for high Adventure. Three 6-man troops from our troops went there for a week last summer, and it was completely a BLAST. Sure, backpacking 3-8 miles a day up and downhill is a little tiring, but the scenery and the landscape take your mind off the work. I would really recommend it for anyone who is interested in high adventure. If you would like more info about our trip (plans, meals, etc.) just email me at mike.dorman@bbs.cedarnet.com.
From: Mike Dorman
<mike.dorman@bbs.cedarnet.com>
Newsgroups: rec.scouting
From: repak@rl.af.mil (Paul Repak)
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 1995 14:26:16 GMT
For something close to you, don't overlook the Adirondack Mountains in New York State. The Association of Adirondack Scout Camps (AASC) runs several high adventure programs including wilderness backcountry camping and canoeing treks, and scouts from all over the country have enjoyed them.
Your best bet to get information is to contact Mr. Bill Zinky at:
Otetiana Council, BSA
474 East Ave,
Rochester, NY 14607
phone #716-244-4210
Ask for an AASC information packet (tell Bill that I sent you).
"Paddle Paul", Voyageur;
Keeping the Wilderness Wild
From: Nat Davis <ndavis@vt.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.scouting
Date: 31 Jul 1995 17:59:55 GMT
Mike,
The Blue Ridge Mountain Council in SW Virginia has 16,000 acres of mountainous camp reservation to play in... They run 3 types of camping pro grams.
The first is traditional summer camp at 2 camp areas on the reservation. The next is "High Knoll" -- a Philmont-style backpacking program with program areas in the afternoons and backpacking between areas in the AM. The last program is "New River High Adventure" which includes different activities each day -- white water canoeing on the New or the James rivers, white water rafting the New River gorge in WVA, caving, mtn biking, COPE course, rock climbing/rapelling on rock or 40' tower.
See if you can borrow a copy of the May/June 95 issue of Scouter magazine -- had a feature article about the camp in it. Also, you can get a video of the programs by contacting the scout office at (540) 265-0656.
Troops from all over the country are coming to camp with us. Please join in!
Nat Davis
SM, Troop 56
Blacksburg, VA
Don Izard asks about adventure sites in Wyoming.
I have taken my troop to Wyoming different times. I always visit Yellowstone but only as a day trip. It is very crowded. We hit the basic sights; Yellowstone Falls, Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful, Mud Geysers, and usually include a picnic lunch. The traffic can be pretty bad, lots of gawker tourists.
Grand Teton National Park is a beautiful place to backpack, but it too is pretty crowded. It is still worth it though.
One of my favorite places is the Bighorn Mountains. We have backpacked there and gone days without seeing another person. Specifically the Cloud Peak Wilderness is the place to go. Enter from the north thru Shell Canyon. At the south is Tensleep Canyon which is home to the Girl Scout's national camp, their version of Philmont. I avoid the south just to be safe. The area is filled with high alpine lakes teaming with trout. This would be a good backpacking alternative to Philmont.
Write or call;
Maps and other needs are available in Sheridan. Also a nice stop is Buffalo, Wyoming about 30 miles to the south. The Johnson County Museum is free and worth a visit. The Donut Cafe is THE place to go for breakfast. They have the world's biggest pancakes. I bet myy Scouts I could eat two. The owner came out to watch me. I did eat two, but it almost killed me. My advice, just order one.
Another great place for boys is the Buffalo Bill Historic Center in Cody 307/587-4771.
If you have time you might consider a stop in Thermopolis, home of the world's largest thermal hot springs. It's a good place to soak and fun for the boys.
Another great backpacking place to consider is the Wind River range of the Bridger-Teton national Forest. It contains over 3 million acres of wilderness. Write:
YIS, Cliff Golden
Three Fires Council, Illinois BSA
Last modified 12/12/95