High Adventure Trek Training 
Registered Adult Scouts Only
Pre-Trek Trainings:  TBD Spring 2024
BWCA Trek Friday, July 19 - Thursday, July 25, 2024
$400 per participant

"High adventure is a highlight of Scouting outdoor experiences.  It appeals to, challenges, and inspires the youth and adult leaders who participate. High adventure keeps older youth high on Scouting. Scoutmasters … must make it a priority to promote high-adventure opportunities and to involve members of their units who are qualified for these elite outdoor activities. The pinnacle of Scouting experiences, high adventure can be used to challenge, excite, and hold youth in Scouting."                                                                                            --BSA Passport to High Adventure

High Adventure Trek Training:  BWCA

We have all heard about the BSA high adventure bases—Philmont, Sea Base, and Northern Tier.  We have heard about the value of high adventure to leadership and character development for our scouting youth.  However, for some troops, they face significant challenges to participation in high adventure treks.

For some troops, the cost of national high adventure bases, year after year, are too much.  For others, having adults who are confident in their ability to accompany their youth and provide the guidance and safety needed can be daunting.  Having trained leaders and a low-cost high adventure option can be a starting point for these units.

To facilitate those troops and leaders who wish to begin a high adventure program of their own, Twin Valley Council is providing adult leader training which includes a 5-day trek in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) in July 2024.  This hands-on training will focus on providing every participant with the skills needed to take their own troop into the BWCA in 2025 and beyond on a high adventure trek.  This includes budgeting, outfitting, pre-trip preparation, use of equipment, safety considerations/planning, needed outdoor skills, and executing the trek itself. 

While not limited in trek size, we will give preference to Twin Valley Council adults, then subject to date, accept out of council adults.  Twin Valley Council adults may register anytime between today and March 31, 2024.  Out of Council adults may begin registering on January 1, 2024.

Cost for this trek is $400.  A deposit of $100 is due at time of registration with the remaining balance to be paid in full by March 31, 2024.  

Your trek instructors are former scoutmasters Chris Sandquist, Tony Dittrich, and David Kosmatka.  Your BWCA entry point is Number 37.  Your adventure is waiting for you to bring back and share with your troop. 

Training Dates:  Will be determined based on participant’s availability.  Expect at least 2 full days of preparedness training in early to mid-Spring 2024. 

Trek Dates:  July 19, 2024 (evening) to July 25, 2024

Cost: $400 per participant

Requirements:  BSA Health Form Parts A, B, & C; BSA Swimmer; must know the basics of canoe usage (e.g. the requirements of the Canoeing merit badge); the BSA height/weight requirements are guidelines, but participants must demonstrate they are able to meet the physical requirements of a BWCA trek (i.e. ability to walk 320 rods (1 mile) while portaging a 45# canoe or pack).