JOIN ONE OF OUR CREWS AT THE NORTHERN TIER

May 30 - August 8, 2027  -- TBD

Northern Tier is the premier high adventure for wilderness canoeing and winter camping offered by Scouting America, providing a unique experience in the rugged wilderness of the Great North American Canoe Country. Our programs are renowned for their challenging and rewarding wilderness canoeing and winter camping expeditions.

Participation Requirements

Scouts aged 13 and graduated 8th grade or 14+

Scouts aged 18-20 (as adult participants).

2-4 Adult Leaders (21+) for safety and supervision.

Crews are made up of 8 participants with half or more of the participants being youth.  A minimum of 2 adults (21+) must attend for safety and supervision.

COST (approximately) $2,000 to $2,500. Final cost will be determined by transportation and other traveling opportunities (it will be a crew decision).

Registration for the 2027 season at the Northern Tier High Adventure Base opens in January 14, 2026.  The Great Smoky Mountain Council is recruiting youth and adults to form crews for a Council Contingent for the summer of 2027.  Please visit ntier.org to explore the phenomenal opportunities offered at Northern Tier.  While looking at the material, please take notes and pay attention to locations and dates for the itineraries that you are interested in.  

In addition, please determine what date ranges you will be available to go, the entire Contingent will likely travel together. Scouts and Scouters are asked to put down a $250 refundable deposit at this time.  Upon receiving your registration and deposit, you will be contacted about your specific interests and the Council will start the process of building out the crews and accommodating as many Scouts as possible, some in-person/zoom planning meetings may be required. 

It is understood that some Troops/Crews/Ships will want to register through the Council for an entire Northern Tier crew(s), as Councils. THE COUNCIL MUST BE PREPARED TO REGISTER CREWS ON JANUARY 14, 2026, at 9am THIS IS LESS THAN 8 WEEKS AWAY.   

If you are chosen and accept being a member of a specific crew, your deposit will become non-refundable and you will be expected to adhere to a yet to be determined payment schedule.  The only way to get your payments back will be if another Scout/Scouter takes your place and pays in full and only then will you receive your payments minus the $250 deposit.  Please feel free to contact Thomas Pendleton with any questions at thomastr911@yahoo.com or at (865)789-4997.

Must complete a Scouting America Annual Health and Medical Record ABC.

18 + Adult Participants will need to make sure their (YPT) Safeguarding Youth Training is UP TO DATE. Must be renewed every year.

GENERAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT thomastr911@yahoo.com or CALL 865-789-4997

REGISTRATION QUESTIONS, CONTACT natasha.leahey@scouting.org or CALL 865-566-0645