High Adventure Scouting Podcast

During this episode we talked with Keith Nelson, the director for Maine High Adventure Base.  Maine High Adventure offers exciting, fully-outfitted canoe treks within 4+ million acres of northern Maine woods and waterways. Each and every Maine High Adventure trek is custom designed to the attending group’s interests and skill level.  We have been providing life-long memories since 1971, first as a...

Are you Team Chair or Team No Chair.  We discuss why you might want to bring a chair to Philmont and why you might leave it at home. 

In this edition of the High Adventure Scouting podcast, we talk about bringing a cell phone to Philmont Scout Ranch.  We discuss cell signal, taking photos, and GPS navigation.  The idea of designating one or two in the crew to take pictures is also discussed.

What is your preference – Flat or inflatable sleeping pads.  We discuss the differences and why you might choose flat or inflatable sleeping pads.

Do you use a Nalgene type bottle or a Smart Water bottle, or something else?  We discuss the advantages and disadvantages in using either type bottle on a longer backpacking trip like a trek to Philmont Scout Ranch.

In this edition of the High Adventure Scouting podcast, we explore an alternative to bringing an extra stove for advisor coffee.  We explore the idea of using a Toaks Titanium 450ml Cup to heat water for instant coffee at Philmont or other long term backpacking trips.    Toaks Cup – https://www.amazon.com/TOAKS-CUP-450-Titanium-450ml-Cup ($15) BRS 3000 Stove - https://www.amazon.com/BRS-BRS-3000T-...

I wanted to expand on the items that Adult leaders shouldn’t bring to Philmont.  So, on this edition we’ll talk about bringing a separate tent for the adults.  On the Philmont Trek Talk Facebook group, this topic creates a lot of discussion on both sides.    Philmont Tent - Philmont will provide 2 person tents as a part of the fees paid.  These tents are well used but in great condition.  If you h...

As a part of our series highlighting council high adventure programs, we will be featuring Yellowstone High Adventure Outpost in this edition.  Yellowstone High Adventure Outpost is a part of the Adventure West Council.  The Yellowstone High Adventure Outpost offers an awesome backcountry experiences based out of Camp Buffalo Bill. ·      The base has five high adventure options for backpacking, c...

I wanted to expand on the items that Adult leaders shouldn’t bring to Philmont.  So, on this edition we’ll talk about clothing.   Some leaders will bring too many clothes.  My guideline is to follow the Guidebook to Adventure.  There is a really good list of items to take to Philmont.  Let’s look at the clothing I took on my last trek.   (Snap Fingers)   -            Clothing I have on – wicking s...

As a part of our series highlighting council high adventure programs, we will be featuring Lenhok’sin High Adventure in this edition. Lenhok’sin High Adventure is a part of the National Capitol Area Council in Virginia. The Lenhok’sin High Adventure offers an awesome backcountry experiences based out of Goshen Scout Reservation. • The base has five high adventure options for backpacking, climbing,...

This is High Adventure Rob from High Adventure Scouting. As a part of our series highlighting council high adventure programs, we will be featuring Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan High Adventure in this edition. Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan High Adventure is a part of the Northeast Illinois Council. The Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan High Adventure offers some awesome backcountry experiences. • The base has three high adventure options for Canoeing,...

As a part of our series highlighting council high adventure programs, we will be featuring Swamp Base in this edition.  Swamp Base is located near Lafayette, LA operated by the Evangeline Area Council. Swamp Base is a unique experience set in the Atchafalaya Swamp.   The excursion ventures through remote swamplands and caters to Scouts and registered adult leaders ·      Designed to highlight adve...

As a part of our series highlighting council high adventure programs, we will be featuring Aqua Base in this edition. Aqua Base is a part of Pfeffer Scout Reservation on Kentucky Lake and a part of the Lincoln Heritage Council. This is a great program for your older Scouts who want a new adventure at Summer Camp. This is a great program as it is a part of Camp Roy C Manchester that offers a tradit...

As a part of our series highlighting council high adventure programs, we will be highlighting Zink High Adventure Base, or better known as Z-Base, in this edition.  Z-Base is located near Tulsa, OK and is a part of the Indian Nations Council.   This is unique high adventure base that combines some great activity areas.  ·      Sporting Clays is an 18 station sporting clays setup with a BBQ dinner....

In this episode we talk with David Ambrozewicz, Camp Director at the Rodney Scout Reservation which is a part of the Del-Mar-Va Council. We talk about the ACE Program: The Advanced Camper Experience.  Designed to offer exciting new experiences to Scouts that think they’ve seen it all. Opportunities include advanced sailing, teambuilding activities, and knife throwing. Scouts will be able to earn t...

5 Things Adults Should Not Bring to Philmont Philmont Scout Ranch is a trip of a lifetime and there are several items that adults might want to avoid taking on the trek. This is the list of the 5 things that adults should not bring to Philmont. Make sure to add your choices or feel free to disagree with my list. Happy High Adventure!

In this episode we explore setting up an independent Boundary Waters trip for your unit using a base camp instead of the traditional different campsite each night.  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.   I interviewed two Scouters from Troop 40 in Shiloh, IL - Greg Gunyon and We...

Floodwood Mountain Scout Reservation has been the ultimate site for High Adventure for over 50 yrs. Floodwood is located near Saranac Lake, NY about an hour west of Lake Placid in the heart of the Adirondacks. With its many lakes, streams, and High Peaks, Floodwood is perfectly located to offer a High Adventure challenge second to none. Choose either a canoe trek from our base located on Rollins P...

The Salmon River High Adventure Base is an adventure with the Mountain West Council. Idaho's Salmon River, known as the "River of No Return," is one of the most unique in the world. Originating in the mountains of central Idaho, it flows through some of the most beautiful and pristine land in the United States before reaching its confluence with the Snake River. It is a free-flowing river, without...

Lenhok’sin is a trek camp. They offer each Crew the opportunity to design their own program tailored to their level of experience and goals. Our primary program is a combination of backpacking and adventure activities. Backpack through the 4,000+ acres of Goshen Scout Reservation and some of the 35,000 acres of surrounding state wildlife game lands. Challenge your Crew to summit up to five peaks a...

Scott Thiessen, Director for the Zink High Adventure Base (Z-base) and Jacob Southwick, High Adventure Director for the Indian Nations Council, discuss 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...

This episode of the podcast features an interview with Jason Wilburn, Director of High Adventure Programs at the Michigan Crossroads Council about the 2023 season.  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 sum...

This episode of the podcast is from the Live discussion from the Philmont Trek Talk Group.  During the August 2022 edition they discussed Tips from First Time Trekkers.  In addition to the regular panelists listed below, a few first time trekkers joined the group to give their impressions.   This is a longer than normal episode, but we wanted to put the whole discussion into one recording.   Our p...

In this episode, we interviewed a lead advisor who had just gotten off the trail at Philmont.  We are calling this a Philmont Hotwash to get the immediate impressions of a trek just off the trail.    We explore what worked, what didn't, and what he would change for another trip.  The lead advisor, Bryan King, organized a crew of 11 for a 12-day trek at Philmont Scout Ranch.  Mr. King is the immedi...

This edition takes us back to the Philmont Trek Talk Group on Facebook.  The crew discusses Shakedown Hikes & Crew Prep for Philmont.  This will be split into two parts to make it easier to listen to in one session.    This is Part 2.   The panel: - Sal Porto is the Asst. scoutmaster with Troop 212 in Lutz Fl and has served in this role for the past 15 years. He is a Master Educator with LNT a...