This session will provide Arrowmen a review of Scouting's available outdoor experiences.

The goal of this session is to increase Arrowmen's knowledge about the entire national high-adventure program package, local-council high-adventure opportunities, and the National Council criteria for council high-adventure accreditation. This session will also discuss staff opportunities.

• Develop a working knowledge of all National High-Adventure opportunities
• Develop a working knowledge of the existing Council High-Adventure opportunities
• Learn the criteria for Council High-Adventure Programs to be listed in the National Directory

• Tape or CD player with nature music to help set mood.
• Poster boards to promote high-adventure camps & programs.
• Promotional material from the bases & camps.
• Copies of the Guidebook of Council High-Adventure Programs.
• Three or more easels to hold up posters.

• Situated next to two other cell sessions
• Visual aids around the room

• your name,
• your hometown,
• lodge and council name.

• Gather knowledge and experience about the National High-Adventure programs to make this session the most informative.
• The format of the session, the atmosphere of the room, and the motivation of the trainers will keep this session moving and will keep learning fun.
• Nature music will be played at the beginning of the session to help create an inspiring outdoor mood.

The national bases offer exciting programs for adventure and challenge to both youth and adults. The bases offer several unique programs that cover a wide array of new experiences for the average individual. Several of these programs are designed for outdoor education, youth leadership, and personal development. Unlike the local summer camp, high-adventure programs allow participants to utilize and hone their Scouting skills rather than earn badges.

High-adventure has the potential to provide a new and exciting experience for the average older Scout. Experience proves that youth who participate in high adventure activities have longer tenure of membership than those who do not. Furthermore, this type of experience can be used to challenge, excite, and retain youth in Scouting. As Arrowmen we need to be encouraged to bring our enthusiasm and skills back home to enhance the troop program.

This portion of the session is designed to increase the awareness of the full high adventure base package, as well as to introduce staff opportunities. Each base will be discussed with the help of attractive visual aids and involved participant interaction. Most importantly, individuals will be encouraged to share their personal high-adventure experience.

The first step to planning a high-adventure trip is deciding what type of experience is best for your group. The second step is preliminary preparation and outdoor training. Preparation will stimulate growth, advancement, fitness, teamwork, and increase the anticipation.

Maybe your unit already camps regularly and is interested in planning its own extended adventure. Consider utilizing the parks and wilderness reserves in your area. Perhaps the Appalachian trail, the Adirondacks or the Canyon lands are nearby. Or your unit decides to plan an adventure across the country. The opportunities are unlimited and could yield a flood of memories for years to come. First have a vision, then plan, and organize all the details.

Program revolves around backpacking, camping, and living history about the American West. Nestled in the Sangre de Christo Mountain Range in Northeastern New Mexico, over 750 staff members serve over 18,000 Scouts throughout the world in a summer operation.

Experience the thrill of climbing mountains over two miles high. Learn technical rock climbing, archaeological excavation techniques, and black smithing. Relive the by-gone days of the Old West as you ride a western saddle horse, learn the ways of the mountain man, pack burros, and pan for gold in a clear mountain stream. Discover the wonder of Scouting's paradise as over 600,000 Scouts, Explorers, and leaders have since 1938.

Crew size varies between 7 to 12 including leaders. Crews fewer than 7 will be charged for 7. 7-10 is best. Two adult leaders per crew is required minimum, 4 maximum.

Special programs tailored for the individual camper allow personal growth and are an excellent opportunity for potential staff.

The program was the result of a vision that an OA section chief had while a Philmont Ranger. He felt that older and experienced Arrowmen should have the opportunity to share their camping knowledge with youth Arrowmen.

Therefore, the program was designed for youth Arrowmen between the ages of 16-20 and lasted fourteen days. Participants concentrated on building a new trail near Vaca Camp for one week and designed their own trek for the latter half. Far beyond trail building, a bulk of the emphasis was on personal development, motivating youth about Scouting, and taught leadership techniques. The Philmont classroom brought to life the very ideals of the Order - Brotherhood, Cheerfulness, Service.

Designed to preserve and utilize Philmont's wilderness by fulfilling conservation projects. Under the supervision of two staff members, Scouts between the ages 16-20 spend 18 days at a back country work project, usually constructing trails or improving timber Stands. They pick their own trek and plan their own ten-day excursion. Program also emphasizes outdoor education, personal development, and natural history. This program is available to young men and women.

A three-week trek designed for Scouts between 15-20 who have mastered the basic outdoor skills. Under two selected Rangers, participants have opportunities beyond those available to expedition campers. Rayado is excellent for developing outdoor leadership, group dynamics, wilderness problem-solving and advanced outdoor camping skills. "Rayado" is interpreted as "Boundary," and willfully challenges participants to attain a high level of personal growth and self-reliance. This program is available to young men and women.

Allows youth who join their parents at the training center to experience the Philmont back country for six days under the leadership of two Philmont Rangers.

The program emphasis between May through September is on canoeing. From January through May cross-country and snow camping is available to groups. The programs operate from three base camps, including operations in Canada.

Explore Minnesota's border country in the greatest wilderness canoeing area in the United States. Learn the skills handed down from Native Americans, fur-trappers, and voyagers. Trips from beginning through intermediate levels provide challenges for all types of units or contingents.

This park is one of the most tightly controlled areas in North America with respect to wilderness canoeing. A trip through this primitive area will appeal to groups seeking solitude and great fishing.

Expeditions experience wilderness canoeing in the truest spirit of High Adventure. For those crews who thirst for this type of adventure, the Manitoba bush offer diverse canoeing. Most crews take advantage of the optional charter float plane, beginning and ending their trip from Scout Lake, which is accessible only by air.

This is the newest site of the northern High Adventure program and allows a challenging land of lakes and game fish.

Teaches cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, constructing winter shelters, camping in the snow, making equipment, tracking and ice fishing. The base provides the camping gear required - you provide the enthusiasm! The program lasts one week.

These programs are available for groups of nine or more to plan. The length of this type of program lasts for a minimum of six days and a special award is given.

Located in the heart of the Florida Keys is Scouting's complete aquatic facility offering sailing, motor boating, canoeing, deep-sea fishing, SCUBA diving, Lobstering, and beach combing. Participants have the opportunity to explore vast ecosystems of the Florida Keys, oceanography, marine biology, and an extensive living coral garden.

A 50' sailing yacht will become your home for the week. It has a self-contained galley and dining area where you will prepare wholesome fresh foods. Crew size is up to six passengers.

The features are activities such as snorkeling, fishing, sailing, and exploring the Everglades and coral reefs. You will spend the day and night venturing for unusual wildlife and then fish for sharks, snappers, and grouper for your evening meal. Crew size ranges from six to eight.

Take a trip to the Bahamas aboard a sailing vessel. Based in Marsh Harbour your crew can snorkel the beautiful pristine reefs in the areas. You learn the unique history of the islands and fish for numerous types of fish in the Abacos.

Come and dive the beautiful coral reefs of the Florida Keys. This program is designed for the certified diver and offers nine dives (weather permitting). You can explore the John Pennekamp Underwater State Park, Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary, Alligator Reef, and other uncharted reefs throughout the Keys. Your itinerary includes a night dive, a deep dive to 60 feet, and marine-life studies. Opportunities also include small-boat sailing and touring Key West.

Live off the land, like Robinson Crusoe on a remote 100 acres island. This adventure includes snorkeling on pristine coral reefs, trolling for sport fish, kayaking, exploring flora and fauna. After setting up camp in a rugged setting, you will venture out into the surrounding area. Your program mate will be with you for the duration of your trip for assistance. This high-adventure program is a true challenge. If your crew has strong camping skills and enjoys challenges, this program was designed for you.

This program is ideal for the larger group. It includes sailing on an equipped 83-foot gaff rigged topsail schooner. Your crew has plenty of hands-on sailing opportunity, snorkeling and fishing. Plus, your itinerary is flexible. Your destination can be between 10 to 70 miles, depending on the weather conditions and how your crew wants to spend your adventure. Crew size ranges from 20 to 22 participants.

The three national high-adventure bases employ approximately 1,000 seasonal staff.

All bases have jobs for off-season fall and winter programs as well, but positions are limited. Quality staff are essential in order to meet the expectations of participants.

Staff must be at least 18 years of age to serve on a national high-adventure staff. Occasionally, 17-year olds are admitted, but they will work basecamp jobs. The ideal staff member is one who was active in the Boy Scouts as a youth and has plenty of Scouting experience. Credentials that help, but do not limit, are high-adventure treks, especially Rayado or Trail Crew program completion, active Arrowmen, lodge and section officers, camp staff.

Applicants who are motivated and looking for a new, challenging experience are encouraged to apply. You have the best opportunity if you complete your application neatly and return it to the respective base by the first of the new year. Staff are hired who apply later, but the best chance is before the deadline. Sell yourself to the staff selection committee.