Troop 46 2012 High Adventure Summary 

Glacier National Park Adventure Update:

Troop 46 got skunked on the lottery for backcountry permits in Glacier.   We really didn’t expect this since we allowed them maximum flexibility to make the itinerary work.   The HA Committee met and came up with prioritized backup plans as follows: 1st choice backpacking trip to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming; 2nd choice canoeing trip to Northern Tier Canoe Base, a BSA base in the Boundary Waters.   As soon as we can confirm a reservation and dates we will let everyone know.   Mr. Thomas is holding the deposit checks so that a check can be returned if the new adventure doesn’t work for you.   We are negotiating details with Naturally Superior, an outfitter, for the kayaking adventure at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.   High Adventure Committee meetings are generally held every other Tuesday evening at Grace Lutheran Church starting at 7pm.   There will be a meeting Tuesday May 8th.

Glacier National Park Backpacking High Adventure

Glacier is located in northwest Montana.   The trip will include primary wilderness backpacking in the back country of this magnificent park, but may also include fishing and other activities.  Troop 46 has most of the crew gear needed for this trip such as water filters, backpacking tents, backpacking stoves, etc.  

Training hikes are already underway with a goal of having at least 2 per month until the trip.   All participants must attend the vast majority of the pre-hikes both for purposes of conditioning and team building.

·         Scouts MUST be First Class or higher, and be 14 years old by September 1, 2012

·         Possible Dates: July 7-15, 2012 OR August 4-12, 2012

·         Itineraries will be put into National Park Service lottery that closes on April 15, 2012.  Four itineraries have been planned for submission for two crews. 

·         Scouts will take Amtrak from Chicago Union station to East Glacier.   Shuttles can be pre-arranged to pick them up in the evening when they arrive, and take them to a hostel in East Glacier where they will stay for one night.   The next morning the shuttle will take them to their desired trailhead.

·         I’ve uploaded the budget spreadsheet we worked out at a previous HA committee meeting for this trip.   This includes conservative assumptions.

·         Once we’re notified of the results of the lottery we will notify everyone.  If we get one of our requested itineraries, great.  If not, then we immediately apply for a first-come, first-served backcountry permit for what’s left after the lottery, working with a Park Service Ranger.

·         We’ve requested a $150 deposit to help us establish the list of who’s serious about going, BUT that deposit will be refundable until we have dates confirmed.

·         I’ve also uploaded the backcountry camping planning guide for the park.

Pictures Rocks is located along the shores of Lake Superior in the upper peninsula of Michigan.   The scouts have indicated a preference for a multi-activity adventure, so this will likely include limited backpacking, fishing, visiting sea caves, as well as, sea kayaking in tandem kayaks.

For this adventure we will use an experienced outfitter that does customized trips for scouts.   Details will be forthcoming relatively soon.  Here’s the URL for the outfitter :

http://www.naturallysuperior.com/custom-trips-and-groups/us-scout-programs.html

Scouts MUST be 13 by January 1, 2012 AND be First Class by trip departure.   Scouts  MUST also pass the BSA swim test.   Leaders should have completed Youth Protection, Safety Afloat, and Safe Swim Defense.  This adventure will be done together with our Venture Crew 46. 

We are shooting for date in August 2012, but this will be dependent on the outfitter’s schedule.

FOR BOTH ADVENTURES, ONCE WE GET DATES CONFIRMED NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSITS WILL BE DUE TO TROOP 46.

When Scouts are working on any Merit Badge, they are strongly encouraged to buy or borrow the Merit Badge book for that badge.   It is not adequate to just download the requirements from the Internet -- the book contains a great deal of information that a Merit Badge Counselor will expect you to be familiar with.   

You should obtain a Blue Card from the Scoutmaster prior to beginning work on the Merit Badge, but you should have already identified what counselor you are going to work with when you request the Blue Card.  

Troop 46 maintains a Troop library which contains Merit Badge books that anyone from our Troop can borrow by checking with the Troop Libarian.   The Troop Committee recently authorized purchasing 2 copies of all 19 Eagle Merit Badge books, since many of our books were out of date.  

If you have purchased a Merit Badge book, the Troop will buy them from you for the Troop Library when you are finished, if you desire (and assuming the book is in good condition).