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Scott Thiessen, Director for the Zink High Adventure Base (Z-base) and Jacob Southwick, High Adventure Director for the Indian Nations Council, discuss the coming 2022 season. Jack Zink high adventure base (ZBASE) is a high adventure leadership based program that will be operated by the local Indian Nations Council and serve Boy Scouts and Venture Scouts as well as high adventure enthusiasts on a regional basis. The leadership curriculum will provide an outdoor discovery based classroom designed to develop participants’ leadership skills and learn more about themselves and others in a hands-on, active experience. The programs offered will be unique to not only the area, but to scouting in general. ZBASE will encompass 35,000 acres on Zink Ranch as well as 10,000 acres of Skiatook Lake. THE PURPOSE OF ZBASE IS THREEFOLD: become the premier regional (and eventually national) high adventure base, help maintain the relevance of the scouting principles to today’s youth, and be seen as a leadership training center. Zink Ranch has a tradition of hosting various scouting activities and is a fitting site for this one of a kind high adventure base.https://zbase.camp/

This episode of the podcast features an interview with Jason Wilburn, Director of High Adventure Programs at the Michigan Crossroads Council about the 2023 season.  They operate two high adventure bases - Cole Canoe Base and the Great Lakes Sailing Adventure. Cole Canoe Basehttps://colecanoebase.com/Our high adventure program provides older scouts an opportunity to stray from the traditional summer camp experience and put their outdoor skills to the test, on canoe trips on three of Michigan's most scenic rivers- the Rifle River, the Fox-Manistique, and the Au Sable. For more information please see the High Adventure homepage to start planning for your adventure nowGreat Lakes Sailing Adventurehttps://michiganscouting.org/outdooradventures/great-lakes-sailing-adventure/The Retriever, a 52′ ketch, is an offshore sail training vessel where youth will learn the fundamentals of sailing, including sail trim, helmsmanship, navigation,  marine safety and skills used by seasoned sailors! Based in its home port of Mackinaw City, Michigan, the Retriever will call on harbors throughout the northern Great Lakes teaching valuable sailing skills along the way.  Program options include six (6) day – five (5) night cruises, and a 3 night Labor Day weekend. The Retriever is designed to accommodate a maximum of 10 youth and two (2) adults. Co-ed crews are welcome, but the advisor must contact the council in advance to discuss accommodation options.

This episode of the podcast is from the Live discussion from the Philmont Trek Talk Group.  During the August 2022 edition they discussed Tips from First Time Trekkers.  In addition to the regular panelists listed below, a few first time trekkers joined the group to give their impressions.   This is a longer than normal episode, but we wanted to put the whole discussion into one recording.  Our panelists:Sal Porto - 15 yr ASM w/ Troop 212, Fl & LNT Master Educator. 7 treks to Philmont & #8 in 2023. Philmont Ambassador & council lead advisor . Owns Suncoast Wilderness First Aid & is a WFA/CPR/AED instructor.Darrel Tadsen - 45yr Scouting veteran. 7yr SM, + many other Scouting roles. Current District Vice Chair. Multi-year adult crew advisor & council contingent advisor.Andy Parrish - High Adventure Chair Troop 152, IN. Led crews to Boundary Waters & Philmont.Outdoor adventurer & avid backpacker. YouTube Channel - Andy Parrish Outdoors- shares backpacking, gear reviews, trip reports, tips & tricks, & Philmont Gear.Jeff Cress - Skipper, Sea Scout Ship 4019, NC. Trekked @ PSR as a youth & adult Crew Advisor. Gear-Report.com Publisher. Produces gear & best-practices articles & videos on Philmont.Scott O'Mary - 5yr Troop 259B SM, Tx. Created a 3yr program for all 4 BSA high adventure camps. Crew advisor for 4 BSA high adventure treks - Philmont (Summer & Winter), Northern Tier & Bechtel Summit & is advisor on '22 Florida Sea Base trek.

In this episode, we interviewed a lead advisor who had just gotten off the trail at Philmont.  We are calling this a Philmont Hotwash to get the immediate impressions of a trek just off the trail.   We explore what worked, what didn't, and what he would change for another trip.  The lead advisor, Bryan King, organized a crew of 11 for a 12-day trek at Philmont Scout Ranch.  Mr. King is the immediate past Scoutmaster for Troop 85 in O'Fallon, IL.

This edition takes us back to the Philmont Trek Talk Group on Facebook.  The crew discusses Shakedown Hikes & Crew Prep for Philmont.  This will be split into two parts to make it easier to listen to in one session.    This is Part 2.  The panel:- Sal Porto is the Asst. scoutmaster with Troop 212 in Lutz Fl and has served in this role for the past 15 years. He is a Master Educator with LNT and teaches LNT for the Greater Tampa Bay Area council. He has been on 6 treks to Philmont since 2013, with trek 7 scheduled for 2022. Sal is a Philmont Ambassador and also the lead advisor on his council’s Philmont contingents. He also owns and operates Suncoast Wilderness First Aid and is a WFA/CPR/AED instructor. Sal is also a Backpacking, Hiking and First aid merit badge counselor. He is retired after 30 years with the USPS.- Scott O'Mary is the scoutmaster at Troop 259B in Plano, Texas and has served in this role for the past 5 years. At Troop 259, he has created a 3-year program allowing scouts to attend all 4 BSA high adventure camps. In addition, Scott has served as crew advisor for 4 BSA high adventure treks - Philmont (Summer & Winter), Northern Tier and Bechtel Summit -- and is advisor to a Florida Sea Base trek in 2022. Scott is a Backpacking and Hiking merit badge counselor. His day job is with FedEx Services.- Darrel Tadsen is a veteran of 45 years in scouting. Scoutmaster for 7 years, plus many other unit, district and council leadership positions. Currently serving as District Vice Chair. Multi-year adult crew advisor and council contingent advisor. Have hiked more than a few philmont treks. Retired. Previously employed as business office manager at a local university. A person who has been bitten by the philmont bug.- Jeff Cress is the Skipper of Sea Scout Ship 4019 in Burlington, NC. He has trekked in the Philmont backcountry as a youth and adult Crew Advisor. Jeff is the Publisher at Gear-Report.com and has produced a variety of articles and videos covering gear and best-practices at Philmont Scout Ranch.- Rob Smith High Adventure Chair Troop 85 and Committee Chair for Crew 85 in Illinois. Crew advisor for 3 Philmont treks, Northern Tier & Sea Base, & ASM for 2 Troops at the Ntl Jamboree 05 & 17. Runs HighAdventureScouting.com providing info on BSA, Council, & independent high adventure opportunities. Full Facebook Live https://youtu.be/oBmu02mcBwo  

This edition takes us back to the Philmont Trek Talk Group on Facebook.  The crew discusses Shakedown Hikes & Crew Prep for Philmont.  This will be split into two parts to make it easier to listen to in one session.   This is part 1.The panel:- Sal Porto is the Asst. scoutmaster with Troop 212 in Lutz Fl and has served in this role for the past 15 years. He is a Master Educator with LNT and teaches LNT for the Greater Tampa Bay Area council. He has been on 6 treks to Philmont since 2013, with trek 7 scheduled for 2022. Sal is a Philmont Ambassador and also the lead advisor on his council’s Philmont contingents. He also owns and operates Suncoast Wilderness First Aid and is a WFA/CPR/AED instructor. Sal is also a Backpacking, Hiking and First aid merit badge counselor. He is retired after 30 years with the USPS.- Scott O'Mary is the scoutmaster at Troop 259B in Plano, Texas and has served in this role for the past 5 years. At Troop 259, he has created a 3-year program allowing scouts to attend all 4 BSA high adventure camps. In addition, Scott has served as crew advisor for 4 BSA high adventure treks - Philmont (Summer & Winter), Northern Tier and Bechtel Summit -- and is advisor to a Florida Sea Base trek in 2022. Scott is a Backpacking and Hiking merit badge counselor. His day job is with FedEx Services.- Darrel Tadsen is a veteran of 45 years in scouting. Scoutmaster for 7 years, plus many other unit, district and council leadership positions. Currently serving as District Vice Chair. Multi-year adult crew advisor and council contingent advisor. Have hiked more than a few philmont treks. Retired. Previously employed as business office manager at a local university. A person who has been bitten by the philmont bug.- Jeff Cress is the Skipper of Sea Scout Ship 4019 in Burlington, NC. He has trekked in the Philmont backcountry as a youth and adult Crew Advisor. Jeff is the Publisher at Gear-Report.com and has produced a variety of articles and videos covering gear and best-practices at Philmont Scout Ranch.- Rob Smith High Adventure Chair Troop 85 and Committee Chair for Crew 85 in Illinois. Crew advisor for 3 Philmont treks, Northern Tier & Sea Base, & ASM for 2 Troops at the Ntl Jamboree 05 & 17. Runs HighAdventureScouting.com providing info on BSA, Council, & independent high adventure opportunities. Full Facebook Live https://youtu.be/oBmu02mcBwo  

An interview with Stephanie Kelly, Backcountry Trek Manager, for the Northern Lights High Adventure Base.   We discussed the upcoming 2022 season.This is the premier Alaskan High Adventure outdoor experience for scouts. Backpacking, hiking, canoeing, fishing and more!  The Northern Lights High Adventure Base is run by the Midnight Sun Council, Boy Scouts of America, based in Fairbanks, Alaska. The mission of the Base is to provide a remote outdoor experience to youth and adults within the Scouting program. www.alaskahighadventure.com 

This edition takes us back to the Philmont Trek Talk Group on Facebook.  The crew discusses Trek Selection for Philmont.  This will be split into two parts to make it easier to listen to in one session.  The panel:- Sal Porto is the Asst. scoutmaster with Troop 212 in Lutz Fl and has served in this role for the past 15 years. He is a Master Educator with LNT and teaches LNT for the Greater Tampa Bay Area council. He has been on 6 treks to Philmont since 2013, with trek 7 scheduled for 2022. Sal is a Philmont Ambassador and also the lead advisor on his council’s Philmont contingents. He also owns and operates Suncoast Wilderness First Aid and is a WFA/CPR/AED instructor. Sal is also a Backpacking, Hiking and First aid merit badge counselor. He is retired after 30 years with the USPS.- Scott O'Mary is the scoutmaster at Troop 259B in Plano, Texas and has served in this role for the past 5 years. At Troop 259, he has created a 3-year program allowing scouts to attend all 4 BSA high adventure camps. In addition, Scott has served as crew advisor for 4 BSA high adventure treks - Philmont (Summer & Winter), Northern Tier and Bechtel Summit -- and is advisor to a Florida Sea Base trek in 2022. Scott is a Backpacking and Hiking merit badge counselor. His day job is with FedEx Services.- Darrel Tadsen is a veteran of 45 years in scouting. Scoutmaster for 7 years, plus many other unit, district and council leadership positions. Currently serving as District Vice Chair. Multi-year adult crew advisor and council contingent advisor. Have hiked more than a few philmont treks. Retired. Previously employed as business office manager at a local university. A person who has been bitten by the philmont bug.- Andy Parrish is the High Adventure Chair for Troop 152 in Westfield, IN. He has led crews to Boundary Waters & Philmont. He is a merit badge counselor for camping, backpacking, and canoeing. Andy is an outdoor adventurer and avid backpacker. His YouTube Channel -Andy Parrish Outdoors- shares information discussing backpacking, gear reviews, trip reports, various tips & tricks, and an entire section on Philmont Gear.- Jeff Cress is the Skipper of Sea Scout Ship 4019 in Burlington, NC. He has trekked in the Philmont backcountry as a youth and adult Crew Advisor. Jeff is the Publisher at Gear-Report.com and has produced a variety of articles and videos covering gear and best-practices at Philmont Scout Ranch.

This edition takes us back to the Philmont Trek Talk Group on Facebook.  The crew discusses Trek Selection for Philmont.  This will be split into two parts to make it easier to listen to in one session.  The panel:- Sal Porto is the Asst. scoutmaster with Troop 212 in Lutz Fl and has served in this role for the past 15 years. He is a Master Educator with LNT and teaches LNT for the Greater Tampa Bay Area council. He has been on 6 treks to Philmont since 2013, with trek 7 scheduled for 2022. Sal is a Philmont Ambassador and also the lead advisor on his council’s Philmont contingents. He also owns and operates Suncoast Wilderness First Aid and is a WFA/CPR/AED instructor. Sal is also a Backpacking, Hiking and First aid merit badge counselor. He is retired after 30 years with the USPS.- Scott O'Mary is the scoutmaster at Troop 259B in Plano, Texas and has served in this role for the past 5 years. At Troop 259, he has created a 3-year program allowing scouts to attend all 4 BSA high adventure camps. In addition, Scott has served as crew advisor for 4 BSA high adventure treks - Philmont (Summer & Winter), Northern Tier and Bechtel Summit -- and is advisor to a Florida Sea Base trek in 2022. Scott is a Backpacking and Hiking merit badge counselor. His day job is with FedEx Services.- Darrel Tadsen is a veteran of 45 years in scouting. Scoutmaster for 7 years, plus many other unit, district and council leadership positions. Currently serving as District Vice Chair. Multi-year adult crew advisor and council contingent advisor. Have hiked more than a few philmont treks. Retired. Previously employed as business office manager at a local university. A person who has been bitten by the philmont bug.- Andy Parrish is the High Adventure Chair for Troop 152 in Westfield, IN. He has led crews to Boundary Waters & Philmont. He is a merit badge counselor for camping, backpacking, and canoeing. Andy is an outdoor adventurer and avid backpacker. His YouTube Channel -Andy Parrish Outdoors- shares information discussing backpacking, gear reviews, trip reports, various tips & tricks, and an entire section on Philmont Gear.- Jeff Cress is the Skipper of Sea Scout Ship 4019 in Burlington, NC. He has trekked in the Philmont backcountry as a youth and adult Crew Advisor. Jeff is the Publisher at Gear-Report.com and has produced a variety of articles and videos covering gear and best-practices at Philmont Scout Ranch.

For those of you going to Philmont, this will be a good episode to bookmark.  This episode features excerpts from the December 2021 Philmont Trek Talk Facebook Live event.  For this episode, we’ll talk about things to do in Cimarron, NM and on the way to the ranch.  There were six panelists for this discussion.  -       Sal Porto is with Troop 212 in Lutz, Florida and has been on 6 treks to Philmont and is planning the seventh for 2022.   -       Jeff Cress is with Troop 19 and Sea Ship 4019 in Burlington, NC.  He also is an administrator for the Philmont Trek Talk group on Facebook and Gear-report.com.  He has been on numerous Philmont treks over the years. -       Andy Parrish is the High Adventure Chair for Troop 152 in Westfield, IN.   He is also the purveyor of the Youtube channel “Andy Parish Outdoors” where he discusses Philmont prep and trips as well as personal hikes all over the US.    -       Darrel Tadsen has been involved at the Troop, District and Council level for over 45 years and is routinely seen working at the welcome center at Philmont.  He has been on numerous treks and sends 6-7 crews to Philmont each year from the Greater St. Louis Area Council.   -       Scott O’Mary with Troop 259 in Plano, TX.  He has had extensive experience with all four BSA High Adventure bases.   -       Rob Smith is with Troop and Crew 85 in O’Fallon, IL and is the High Adventure Chair.  He also runs the HighAdventureScouting.com website.   Watch the full Facebook Live video here: https://youtu.be/WtqVKx5d00Y 

For those of you going to Philmont, this will be a good episode to bookmark.  This episode features excerpts from the December 2021 Philmont Trek Talk Facebook Live event.  The event was specific to Getting to Philmont and things to do in Cimarron, NM and on the way to the ranch.  There were six panelists for this discussion.  -       Sal Porto is with Troop 212 in Lutz, Florida and has been on 6 treks to Philmont and is planning the seventh for 2022.   -       Jeff Cress is with Troop 19 and Sea Ship 4019 in Burlington, NC.  He also is an administrator for the Philmont Trek Talk group on Facebook and Gear-report.com.  He has been on numerous Philmont treks over the years. -       Andy Parrish is the High Adventure Chair for Troop 152 in Westfield, IN.   He is also the purveyor of the Youtube channel “Andy Parish Outdoors” where he discusses Philmont prep and trips as well as personal hikes all over the US.    -       Darrel Tadsen has been involved at the Troop, District and Council level for over 45 years and is routinely seen working at the welcome center at Philmont.  He has been on numerous treks and sends 6-7 crews to Philmont each year from the Greater St. Louis Area Council.   -       Scott O’Mary with Troop 259 in Plano, TX.  He has had extensive experience with all four BSA High Adventure bases.   -       Rob Smith is with Troop and Crew 85 in O’Fallon, IL and is the High Adventure Chair.  He also runs the HighAdventureScouting.com website.   Watch the full Facebook Live video here: https://youtu.be/WtqVKx5d00Y 

Birchbark Expeditions interview with Alan Percy.Birchbark Expeditions is a Nationally Accredited week-long, fully guided high adventure canoe experience, steeped in the rich Age of Exploration history. Operated by volunteers from the Greater Niagara Frontier Council of the BSA, the program offers three different options: 1) WNY Waterways - A local one or two-day canoeing expedition on one of the many waterways in Western New York.   An ideal first opportunity to experience canoe tripping with an optional over-night stay. 2) Adirondack Adventure - a 7-day High Adventure experience based in New York's beautiful Adirondack Park, it operates four weeks from mid-July to mid-August.   3) Algonquin Adventure - also a 7-day High Adventure experience, but based in the remote Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario (on hold until border crossing restrictions are lifted)http://www.wnyscouting.org/birchbark 

Birchbark Expeditions interview with Alan Percy.Birchbark Expeditions is a Nationally Accredited week-long, fully guided high adventure canoe experience, steeped in the rich Age of Exploration history. Operated by volunteers from the Greater Niagara Frontier Council of the BSA, the program offers three different options: 1) WNY Waterways - A local one or two-day canoeing expedition on one of the many waterways in Western New York.   An ideal first opportunity to experience canoe tripping with an optional over-night stay. 2) Adirondack Adventure - a 7-day High Adventure experience based in New York's beautiful Adirondack Park, it operates four weeks from mid-July to mid-August.   3) Algonquin Adventure - also a 7-day High Adventure experience, but based in the remote Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario (on hold until border crossing restrictions are lifted)http://www.wnyscouting.org/birchbark 

This episode is an interview with Steve Nelson, Director of Camping at Philmont Scout Ranch.  The interview explores the individual programs at Philmont.   Rayado Trek Roving Outdoor Conservation School Trek (ROCS) Order of the Arrow Trail Crew Trek STEM Trek Order of the Arrow Trail Crew Trek Trail Crew Trek Ranch Hands Trek We also talked about the Cavalcade – Equestrian crew program.  A great discussion on the non-typical Philmont experience.www.philmontscoutranch.org

Maine High Adventure 2022 Update with Keith Nelson, Program and Base DirectorOpportunities abound for exciting, unique and extended backcountry travel. Every day will involve challenges and rewards. Each bend in the river or change in horizon will bring new possibilities for excitement and relaxation. Take each day as it comes, make your own itinerary that fits EVERYONE'S desires and wishes.Canoeing is, by far, the most popular option for participants of Maine High Adventure. Paddling is available on waters ranging from some of the largest lakes in Maine to challenging whitewater streams and rivers and everything in between. A crew can plan a laid-back relaxing itinerary, a strenuous, demanding trip or a combination of each. Over the past three summer seasons, most crews have paddled an average of 75 to 85 miles while on the water based portion of their trek.Backpacking is another option for participants at Maine High Adventure. The famous Appalachian Trail winds its way over rugged terrain towards its northern terminus atop Mt. Katahdin. Many hikers refer to Maine as the "hardest section of the Appalachian Trail" due to the nature of the rocky footing. Maine High Adventure is in very close proximity to the "100 Mile Wilderness", the final 100 miles of this long-distance footpath and ambitions crews may wish to take on the challenge of hiking all 100 miles, while some may wish to backpack the final 25, culminating in a hike of Mt. Katahdin. Options abound, the opportunities are limitless!

This episode of the podcast features an interview with Gregg Zdan, Director of High Adventure Programs at the Michigan Crossroads Council.  They operate two high adventure bases - Cole Canoe Base and the Great Lakes Sailing Adventure.  Cole Canoe Base https://colecanoebase.com/Our high adventure program provides older scouts an opportunity to stray from the traditional summer camp experience and put their outdoor skills to the test, on canoe trips on three of Michigan's most scenic rivers- the Rifle River, the Fox-Manistique, and the Au Sable. For more information please see the High Adventure homepage to start planning for your adventure nowGreat Lakes Sailing Adventure https://michiganscouting.org/outdooradventures/great-lakes-sailing-adventure/The Retriever, a 52′ ketch, is an offshore sail training vessel where youth will learn the fundamentals of sailing, including sail trim, helmsmanship, navigation,  marine safety and skills used by seasoned sailors! Based in its home port of Mackinaw City, Michigan, the Retriever will call on harbors throughout the northern Great Lakes teaching valuable sailing skills along the way.  Program options include six (6) day – five (5) night cruises, and a 3 night Labor Day weekend. The Retriever is designed to accommodate a maximum of 10 youth and two (2) adults. Co-ed crews are welcome, but the advisor must contact the council in advance to discuss accommodation options.

In this episode we had a conversation with Steve Nelson, Director of Camping at Philmont Scout Ranch about the 2022 season.   www.philmontscoutranch.com

This is an interview with Cliff Langey, Owner and Operator from Swiftwater Adventures in Duluth, MN.  This location is on the way for many groups going to Northern Tier or the Boundary Waters.  A good extra adventure on the way north.Whitewater Rafting on the St. Louis River near Duluth, Minnesota:  The perfect adventure for large groups like Scout groups.​  This trip takes you through a semi-wilderness area with rugged outcrops, tall pines, abundant wildlife, and challenging rapids. ​​Rates:   They offer special rates for large groups of 12+.   https://www.swiftwatermn.com/trips-pricing/whitewater-rafting-large-groups/ https://www.highadventurescouting.com/swiftwateradventures.html

This edition of the High Adventure Scouting Podcast features an interview with Samuel Ahlstrom, Senior District Executive and representative of the Rocky Mountain High Adventure Base from the Pathways to the Rockies Council in Colorado.Located in the high mountains of Southern Colorado, Rocky Mountain High Adventure Base (RMHAB) offers whitewater rafting, backpacking, and other exciting experiences with some of the most breathtaking views of the Rockies. This high adventure program offers a diverse range of activities to meet the needs and desires of all. This includes whitewater rafting, climbing & rappelling, mountain biking, and summiting a peak in the Rocky Mountains. Rocky Mountain High Adventure Base truly does embody what it means to be a high adventure experience.https://rockymountainscouts.org/rmhab/

Is your unit ready to provide High Adventure trips to your members?   A great hands on training course might just be the answer.We had a discussion with Jon Jonas, Chair of High Adventure Programs for the Greater St. Louis Area Council.  He discussed the Back Country Leadership Skills Training that his committee developed many years ago.  Jon discussed the background of the course and the schedule for the weekend course.   This is a hands-on course meant to teach the basics of creating your own high adventure trip within your unit.  Specific information can be found at https://www.highadventurescouting.com/training.html or look for the Training tab on the High Adventure Scouting Website.