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 now

Great 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.  

For this episode we had a discussion with Ian Craig from Adirondack Treks & High Adventure at Massaweepie in Up State New York.  They are a part of the Seneca Waterways Council BSA. 

This high adventure base offers customizable options in Canoeing, Hiking and Backpacking with treks ranging from 3-7 days. 

Email: treks@senecawaterways.org, massawepietreks@gmail.com
Website: https://senecawaterways.org/massawepie-adirondack-treks/

In this episode we explore setting up an independent Boundary Waters trip for your unit.  The Boundary Waters is an awesome place to take Scouts and an excellent way to get off the net.  Canoeing through the Minnesota wilderness is a classic trip.  If you think it's too difficult, think again.  

Our guest this time is Jon Jonas.  Jon is the High Adventure Chair for the Greater St. Louis Area Council as well as a Wilderness First Aid Instructor, High Adventure for Troop 94 in O'Fallon, IL, as well as a bunch of other things.  He's the go to person on High Adventure in our area and we bring his expertise to our listeners.  

Jon has been to the Boundary Waters many times with his unit.  He has a great perspective and shares a step by step of how to do your own Boundary Waters trip.  The episode is a little longer than normal, but there is a lot of great information packed into this podcast.  If you have specific questions for Jon, email us at info@highadventurescouting.com and we'll put you in touch with him.

Scott Thiessen, Director for the Zink High Adventure Base (Z-base) discusses 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/

Gabe Griffords from Louisiana Swamp Base was the guest for this edition of the High Adventure Scouting Podcast.  Gabe gave us an update for 2021 and 2022.

Louisiana Swamp Base is a national conservation and high adventure recreation base created in 2010 by the Evangeline Area Council, Boy Scouts of America to commemorate the Centennial of Scouting while also making a 100 year commitment to annually immerse thousands of youth in the environment and culture of the Atchafalaya Swamp.
Each year Swamp Base focuses on improving the quality and experience of the Atchafalaya Swamp through environmental stewardship efforts and high adventure programs that instill pride and ownership in the area by allowing youth to experience the swamp firsthand. 

The Yellowstone High Adventure Outpost provides a premier High Adventure experience for independent crews and scouts at CBB who are ready for the adventure of a lifetime in the largest contiguous wilderness in the lower 48.

http://www.campbuffalobill.com/program/yellowstone-high-adventure-outpost/