A high adventure trek is a Scouting adventure that is:
- Beyond the conventional Scout outing
- Offers a higher level of challenge
- Has a "perceived" risk that is really a controlled environment
- Seen as "significant" when viewed by the Scout in hind-sight
- A series of planned events that prepare everyone for the "ultimate adventure"
- "Special" for the older Scouts that have acquired the rank advancement and
other skills required for the adventure
Examples would typically include backpacking, canoeing, and long distance cycling.
Details to be included in the plan:
- Trip Objective: what is the "adventure?"
- Who needs to be involved in the plan? (Include the Scouts as much as possible. Put much
of the planning coordination function on the shoulders of the crew chief.)
- When are you going? (For Philmont you really need to be planning three (3) years out.
Around April of each year Philmont takes reservations for the following year. Current
Philmont procedure allows a crew to lock in a date two years out if the current
reservation schedule for the following year has already been subscribed. Once they changed
to this procedure the only dates that open in the following year are those where the crew
failed to submit their deposit. (When this does happen you will need to make a quick
decision and have money available. It is not easy to Be Prepared.) Generally,
by the end of January, all treks for the following year will be full and will only become
available if the group cancels, thereby forfeiting their deposit. However, dates for the
following year will be open on a first come, first served basis. Therefore, get your
auto-dialers together and good luck. But don't forget that a $50 per person deposit
will be required by next January to hold your trek reservation for the following year.)
- What are the minimum Scout requirements? Philmont requires all Scouts to be at least 14
on January 1 of the year they hike Philmont. Our troop also requires a minumum rank of
First Class be obtained prior to the departure date. We also require First Aid merit badge
of all Scouts. (Philmont also requires at least two crew members be first aid and CPR
trained.) Specialized merit badges such as backpacking, canoeing, or cycling may also be
required depending on the itinerary. (On a cycling tour we waived the age requirement, but
did require a minimum of 1000 miles be biked with the troop prior to leaving for the trip.
This swapped age as an arbitrary measure of physical ability with actual practice. It also
provided a good equipment shake down.)
- What is the crew size?
Philmont has a minimum crew size of 7, and a maximum of 12.
Youth must be in the majority and no more than 4 adults. However, Scouts 18 to 20 can
swing either way. Those in this age range can be counted as "Scouts" to keep the
youth number high, but could also be counted as a "Junior Advisor" if a second
advisor is needed. (One advisor must be 21 or older.)
Boundary Waters currently limits crew sizes to 9 (3 canoes).
- Who is going? As a Tour Leader this is the most troublesome question because deposits
are often required to hold the dates. At Philmont, all deposits are non-refundable. Anyone
dropping out may require finding a replacement. Also, do you have two deep leadership
covered? The number and type of vehicles involved in the transportation can also provide
some anxious moments.
- Travel plans including route and intermediate stops. Note that BSA policy limits a
troop's driving distance to 10 hours in a day plus plenty of rest breaks..
- What will the trip cost? Detail all costs including, but not limited to: base event
costs, travel costs, meals on the road, t-shirts, photo developing, patches, and, of
course, contingencies.(Like a flat tire on the troop trailer.) We also plan for a
"Grand Pig-out," at a restaurant on the way home. Any money left over can always
happily be returned. (Our 1997 trip to Philmont was budgeted at $400 per person: 325 to
Philmont and 75 for the rest. The next time we should budget about $15 to 20 more.)
- What permissions are required? Local or National Tour Permit (over 500 miles away or
International)? Don't forget the one month required time to process the national tour
permit.
- What is the communication plan? Who must know the itinerary? Who is the emergency
contact point if one is needed?
Time Line (what must be done by when)
- Lock in trip dates. Any reservations needed?
- Who is going, including adults?
- Develop a finance plan (what monies are needed when)
- Elect Crew Chief and Crew Quartermaster (and use them to help plan the trip)
- Trip itinerary (May require a couple of different steps and dates.)
- Deadlines for deposits
- Determine personal and crew gear requirements (what gear is provided by others?)
- Plan and schedule shake down events to prepare; integrate into the Troop
Annual Outdor Plan
- Medical form (most likely a Class 3 within 12 months of the trip date) [Philmont has
their own form.]
- Physical Fitness plan (Warning: you cannot be too prepared in this area! See Philmont
medical form.)
- Transportation details
- File Tour Permit (probably National)
Resources
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by anyone associated with the Scouting movement worldwide. Good Scouting
to all.
Last modified:
May 31, 2007
