5 Star
Adventures: Comments, Publicity, & Contacts
AL - Battleship USS
Alabama, Mobile
"Compared with the Aircraft Carrier Yorktown in
Charleston South Carolina, my troop thought the Alabama trip wins hands down. A nights
stay is just $12 a scout (it may have gone up a dollar or two since we last were there)
and includes the USS DRUM Submarine. It is just outside of Mobile and there are a number
of good low cost buffets to take the Scouts to. Also nearby is Fort Pickens National
Military Park on Santa Rosa Island. The USS Alabama visit is even going to get better.
Work is now being completed on a new Museum and IMAX theater right next to the parked
Battleships.
What made the trip special for our scouts was adding the
first night stay in Pensacola, some 45 miles away. At Pensacola troops can stay for free
at the Naval Air Station's barracks (Air Conditioned group quarters), or bring their own
tentage and stay at the group camping area.
As is the case at most military bases we got to eat great food dirty cheap in the base
dining hall (which overlooks the Gulf of Mexico, awesome view). The scouts were transfixed
by the weekend free visiting hours of the Land Survival School. It was at this very school
that Col. Scott O'Grady (the Air Force Pilot who was shot down & survived uncaptured
in Bosnia for five days) learned how to do that. Of the joys of learning which bugs to
eat! After that grand experience the U.S. Department of the Interior operates Fort
Barrackis which was held by the Confederacy throughout the Civil War, it is across the bay
from another fort which the Union Controlled.
Finally the National Naval Aviation Museum is here at the NAS base. It too is free, it
is huge, and has a wonderful gift shop. The Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Saratoga, just
decommissioned from active duty, is also nearby for practice take off and landings by NAS
school personnel.
My Patrol Leader's Council was able to take in both cities, with meals, gas,
admissions, and even a patch for only $32 for the weekend coming all the way from about 50
miles below Atlanta. We built the trip around American Heritage Merit Badge as our theme.
It was a wonderful sneaky ploy to listen to World War II & Civil War era songs on the
bus radio vs. the kind of music they always want to play too loud during long trips.
Seriously, the combination of the two periods in U.S. History and the many resources there
on site are the perfect opportunity to complete this Merit Badge. It is a great trip ."
AL -
U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville
Space Camp
"This is Boy Scout Space Exploration Central. The
Greater Alabama Council has an annual Scout Merit Badge Day there one Saturday in October
of each year. On any weekend you are bound to see tons of Scouts in the area because the
trip is just that good.
Here again, stay at Redstone Arsenal military base, same great free barracks &
cheap meals as described above. The Museum is an all day affair. There are four parts to
the trip. The first is the Museum itself which has more than 200 hands on experiments,
games, computer simulations, etc. Out back is the Rocket Park where Scouts can see full
scale models of many of the vehicles of U.S. Space Exploration.
The IMAX theater features great films (I recommend Destiny in Space or The Dream is
Alive although L-5 and Mission to Mars are also good). Finally you can board a tour bus
and be driven on an incredible five stop tour that takes your Scouts onto the Marshall
Space Flight test center. Here you can see the spot (On the National Register of Historic
Places) where Dr. Werner Von Braun tested the very first Mercury Redstone Rockets, also
Mission Control for various missions, and the Neutral Buoyance Simulator, a huge
underwater tank where Astronauts train for different missions.
Needless to say, this is *THE* place to do Space Exploration Merit Badge, be sure to
start a few weeks before the trip with the Model Rocket Building Requirements to help
build interest in the trip. Some troops scrap traditional summer camp and do the week long
Space Camp (it is expensive and is perpetually booked up months in advance). The other
warning is to stay away from the expen$ive meals inside the museum. Over the past 25 years
I guess we have done this trip no less than a dozen times and I never get tired of it. My
troop is due to go back this fall."
CO - Elkhorn High Adventure Base. Ben
Delatour Scout Ranch.
Longs Peak Council
Longs Peak Council
P.O. Box 1166
Greeley, Colorado 80632
Tel: 970-330-6305
"I just returned from a week-long trek at the Elkhorn High Adventure Base. For
those of you unfamiliar with it, this is run by the Longs Peak Council and located at Ben
Delatour Scout Ranch near Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. While I am still a bit wrung out by
the experience, I found it thoroughly enjoyable. The staff is excellent, and
patiently taught a group of backpacking newbies how to get along in the wilderness.
We spent five days practicing Leave-No-Trace camping and backpacking about 25 miles.
For activities, we had rock climbing, Low COPE, two High Cope courses, rappelling,
Mountain Man Rendezvous, and a service project."
The Elkhorn High Adventure Base was put together to take advantage of Ben Delatour
Scout Ranch's magnificent location high in the Rocky Mountains of Northern Colorado.
Located just north of Rocky Mountain National Park and surrounded by Roosevelt National
Forest, the Elkhorn High Adventure Base offers a unique experience for older scouts to
hike, camp, climb and ride in the Rocky Mountains.
At over 7,000 feet in elevation and encompassing more than 3,700 acres, B.D.S.R. serves
as a perfect base camp for the Elkhorn High Adventure program. Before you arrive each unit
or crew selects their own itinerary from a predetermined "menu" of
possibilities. The opportunities for adventure are virtually endless. Crews may choose to
stay on the ranch to take full advantage of the camps' high adventure activities such as
C.O.P.E., rock climbing and backpacking or they may choose to leave the ranch to
experience the surrounding areas. Or they may choose to spend part of their week on the
ranch and part of their week off the ranch and combine the best of both worlds!
Goals The goals of the Elkhorn High Adventure Base are to provide scouts,
scouters and venturers a chance to explore and experience Ben Delatour Scout Ranch and the
surrounding National Forests and Parks. We want to provide an opportunity for both
individuals and groups to challenge themselves in a rugged wilderness setting. Finally we
hope to offer the opportunity for all those involved in the program to gain a life long
love and respect for the natural environment.
Mission Statement The purpose of the Elkhorn High Adventure Base is to provide
older scouts, scouters, and ventures with the opportunity for a challenging, low-impact
outdoor experience in the Rocky Mountains.
What We Have To Offer Elkhorn is a high adventure base in every sense of the
word. Our location and the challenge of the surrounding mountains allow us to offer the
following activities:
Backpacking (hundreds of miles of trails for all ability levels); Horseback Riding;
C.O.P.E. (Both high and low course); Rock Climbing (some of the best in Northern
Colorado!); Rappelling (including a 120' free rappel); Gold Panning (yes, real gold!);
Mountain Man Encampment (Rendezvous); Black Powder Rifle Shooting; Fly fishing and fishing
(tons of trout); Low Impact Techniques; Orienteering (beginner to advanced); Wildlife
watching (lot's of big game); Mountain Climbing (peaks up to 13,000 feet high!)
GA - Thunder
Scout High Adventure. Flint River Council
Flint River Council
P.O. Box 173
Griffin, GA 30224
Tel: 770-227-4556
Thunder Scout Reservation
1166 Dripping Rock Rd
Molena, GA 30258
Tel: 706-646-2255
The Camp Thunder Scout Reservation in the Pine Mountain range of Central Georgia has a
high adventure camp with a canoe base on the Flint River, C.O.P.E. course, a natural
rock-face cliff for rock climbing, 65 ft. rappel tower, spelunking program, skeet
shooting. kayaking, canoeing, soccer camp, and enough Mountain Bikes for a large sized
troop. The Pine Valley Girl Scout Council works with the Thunder Scout Reservation for two
one-week sessions of a coed High Adventure Camp for Exploring & Senior Girl Scouts. A
camp video and color brochure are available.
KY
- Kentucky Heartland Bonanza
Mammoth cave
National Scout Museum
Land Between the
Lakes
Camping opportunity at BSA Roy
C. Manchester Scout Camp
Design your own travel, time and space among the many attractions of Central Kentucky
ranging from the worlds largest cave, to Scoutings on History museum and interactive
exhibits, to the many other sights and
offerings of landscape, technology, history, and ecology offered in beautiful
surroundings.
Be Prepared: call ahead, plan ahead, for the best experiences for you and your troop.
MA - Freedom
Trail in Boston.
Boston
National Historical Park Site - Freedom Trail Page
In 1958, the City of Boston was changed in the subtlest of
ways. A red line was painted on the sidewalk, starting at the Boston Common and going
downtown, to the North End, then over the bridge to Charlestown and up to the Bunker Hill
monument. Sixteen historic sites, all significant in this country’s early struggle
for freedom, were connected by a 2.5 mile stripe that not only linked one place to
another, but the past to the present. Here we continue The Freedom Trail’s history by
introducing its first official Web site. Have a look around. We hope it encourages you to
come visit.
The Freedom Trail: Most of the Boston National Historical Park sites are connected by
the Freedom Trail. Recognized as a National Recreation Trail, the 3-mile trail is a
walking tour of 16 sites and structures of historic importance in downtown Boston and
Charlestown.
TOUR Starts at Boston Common and includes the following sites for your visit: State
House; Park Street Church; Granary Burying Ground; King's Chapel and Burying Ground;
Benjamin Franklin's Statue/First Public; School Marker; Old Corner Bookstore; Old South
Meeting House; Old State House; Boston Massacre Site; Faneuil Hall; Paul Revere House; Old
North Church; Copp's Hill Burying Ground; Ship -- USS Constitution; Bunker Hill Monument.
Ninety-minute tours begin at the Visitor Center at 15 State Street and cover the heart
of the Freedom Trail from the Old South Meeting House to the Old North Church. Tours leave
at regular intervals in the spring, summer, and fall, weather permitting.
Call (617)242-5642 for daily schedule or (617)242-5689 for group reservations.
MN -
Northern Tier Scout Base. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Northern Tier
P.O. Box 509
Ely, MN 55731-0509
Tel: 218-365-4811
During the summer, Northern Tier operates three program bases. The oldest is Charles L.
Sommers, situated on the southern edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. It has 6- to
10-day canoe trips into the BWCA and Quetico Provincial Park in Canada. The newest is the
Atikokan, Ontario canoe base that has trips north of Quetico. The Northern Expeditions
base in Bissett, Manitoba, Canada also offers 10-day Fly-in/Fly-out canoe and fishing
expeditions. Each crew has an experienced guide along with them. Food and equipment are
provided. Applications are accepted in the beginning of April for the following year.
In the winter, the Okpik program has cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, ice fishing,
instruction in winter camping, and camping in snow shelters. Scouts are provided
cold-weather inserts to use in their sleeping bags. Participants need to supply their own
cold-weather clothing. Program brochures are available.
MO
- John S. Swift Explorer Base, S bar F Ranch. Greater St. Louis Council
Greater St. Louis Area Council, B.S.A.
4568 West Pine Blvd.
St. Louis, Missouri 63108-2179
(314) 361-0600
The John S. Swift Explorer Base is a very unique camp which is run by the Greater St.
Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. The Explorer base is one of only two Explorer
Base
Summer Camps in the Nation and the only one in the Region. Swift is located about 90
miles South of St. Louis near Farmington, Missouri on the property of the S - bar - F
Scout Ranch. The S-F Scout Ranch is a 5,200 acre property which is the home of 4 separate
summer camps. There are three Boy Scout camps located on one side of a 270 acre man made
lake. On the other side of the Nim's Lake is the John S. Swift Explorer Base.
The John S. Swift Explorer Base operates for about 7 weeks from June to August every
summer. The camp has many activities for campers to enjoy when coming to camp. Some of the
daytime activities include: Rock Climbing, Rappelling, High and Low Ropes Courses,
Water-skiing, Sailing, Canoeing, Rowing, Swimming, and Horseback Riding. Day activities
are not the only fun part about camp, evenings are fun too! Some of the activities that we
have done in the past are to have dances in our lodge, beach parties on the beach, wacky
olympics, western themed nights, and night hikes. These are only a small sampling that
have been done in the past with new and exciting ideas coming for this summer!
Some of the people that make your week happen is the incredible staff. The camp is
usually run by 12 to 13 energetic young men and women, who without them Swift would just
be woods! These people do what ever it takes to make sure that your week is the best that
it can be.
NM
- Philmont
Philmont Scout Ranch
Cimarron, NM 87714
Tel: 505-376-2281
April Reservations:
Tel: 407-875-8991
The Philmont Scout Ranch has 5- to 28-day backpacking trips of various degrees of
difficulty, 8-day horseback trips in the beautiful Sangre de Christo mountains in northern
New Mexico. There are instructional stations along the treks. Many consider this the
premier Scout camp. The training center offers a wide range of conferences and courses for
Scouters throughout the summer. Call or write for the latest activity program.
Applications for treks are accepted in early April for the following year. If you cannot
get in then, you can sign up for two years away.
In the winter, Philmont has Kanik, an Okpik winter camping program comparable to that
provided by Northern Tier, Tomahawk, and several other winter camps.
NY
- Adirondack Scout Reservation. Hiawatha Council
ADIRONDACK SCOUT RESERVATION
c/o HIAWATHA COUNCIL, BSA
113 TWIN OAKS DRIVE
SYRACUSE, NY, 13203
315-463-0201
"I find our troop (as a group) has had the best camps when we did a high adventure
trek - as a team - say maybe 50 miles at Sabattis (part of ASR - Adirondack Scout
Res) with side trips to Lake Placid Olympic facility and the Adirondack Museum
etc."
Several councils offer programs in the Adirondack Adventure Area. This is an area of
10,000 square miles that includes 3,000 miles of brooks and steams, 1,500 miles of rivers
for canoeing, 2,000 miles of foot trails, and 3.000 lakes and ponds. Treks include
expedition-style (5 to100 miles) canoeing, backpacking, orienteering, and custom
itineraries. Also available is a week of freshwater, cruise-class sailing on Lake George.
Base camps offer additional activities such as rappelling, whitewater rafting, fishing,
snorkeling, board sailing, and small-boat sailing.
NY - Camp Sabattis High Adventure Camp Sabattis has 17 different treks of three, five,
or six days in the Adirondack Mountains of New York under the leadership of licensed staff
guides.
Located on scenic Lows lake Sabattis offers a full in-camp and out-of-camp program.
Situated well off Route 30 between Long Lake and Tupper Lake it is right in the heart of
one of the premier High Adventure areas in the Northeast where you can go to sleep every
night to the mournful calling of Loons. You can walk right out of camp and be in the
middle of the wilderness still much the same as it was 100 years ago.
Hiawatha Council
600 West Genesee Street
Syracuse, NY 13204
Tel: 315-474-8574
PA -
Gettysburg Historical Sites
Gettysburg
Visitor Information
The Battle of Gettysburg was a critical event in determining the future of our nation.
Known as a turning point in our great Civil War, the battlefield is preserved by the
National Park Service as a symbol of America's struggle to survive as a nation, and as a
lasting memorial to the soldiers who served in that great conflict. Our job is to preserve
the park and to provide you, the park visitor, with a fulfilling experience.
Battle Theatre: To best understand the 23 mi. Battlefield
Tour, first see the multi-media film. A 50' Diorama gives an overview of the Battlefield
and human interest vignettes of the battle are given between shows. (717)334-6100
Gettysburg National Military Park
97 Taneytown Road
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-1124
TX - Laguna Station Sea Base. Rio Grande Council
Rio Grande Council
1301 S. 77 Sunshine Strip
P.O. Box 2424
Harlingen, TX 78551-2424
Tel: 210-423-0250
South Padre Island is an extraordinary playground tucked into a sunwashed corner of
South Texas. Karankawa Indians once camped on its beaches. Pirate Jean Lafitte is said to
have buried his plunder among its dunes. Shipwrecks have dotted its coast. Now, people
from all over the country come to enjoy the sands, surf, unmatched weather and relaxed
lifestyle for which South Padre Island is famous.
In the heart of this island paradise is the Laguna Madre--South Padre Island High
Adventure Station, run by the Rio Grande Council, Boy Scouts of America. At Laguna
Station, Scouts and Explorers experience a full measure of the attractions that have made
South Padre Island the most popular vacation spot in Texas. Laguna Station offers five
program options, featuring sailing, fishing, SCUBA certification,kayaking and the Island
Adventure. All are week-long, adventure-packed experiences. All program options include a
fun, informative program on marine biology, snorkeling, small boat sailing, wind surfing, and free time
to enjoy the beach, as well as the opportunity to visit Old Mexico just 13 miles to the
south.
Laguna Madre -- The High Adventure Station on South Padre Island, Texas has scuba
certification, gulf sailing, gulf fishing, island adventures,kayaking,and combination programs.
The area has sandy beaches, rolling surf, and clear fish-filled waters. It is similar in
some ways to the Florida Sea Base program. They are new. The first program was in 1994.
They are expanding each year based on demand. Brochures are available.
WI
- Lake Superior High Adventure Base. Tomahawk Scout Reservation.
Indianhead Council
393 Marshall Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55102-1795
Tel: 651-224-1891
Tomahawk Scout Reservation is located on Long Lake in Northern Wisconsin, 20 miles
north of Rice Lake. Tomahawk encompasses 2,500 acres with eight miles of shoreline.
Tomahawk Scout Reservation offers a variety of programs. The staff is committed to work
with your troop to meet your program needs. A camp commissioner will help plan special
program requests. Your camp program commissioner will work with you and the camp staff to
do our very best to make your stay at Tomahawk enjoyable.
NEW FOR ‘99-Y2K: Lake Superior High Adventure Base Based out of Tomahawk
Scout Reservation, the new Lake Superior High Adventure Base takes Scouts on a week long
adventure on the big lake. Choose from one of two adventures: Kayak the historic and
picturesque Apostle Islands or backpack and climb the challenging and scenic North Shore.
Check out these exciting new programs and sign up today!
High Adventure Winter Camping Tomahawk Snow Base also operates at Tomahawk Scout
Reservation. Spearhead is a challenging outdoor winter camping experience for Boy Scouts
and Explorers 13 years of age or older. Snow Huskies is for Scouts who are 11 and 12 years
old. Our newest program, Glacier Ridge Adventure, offers even more fun for those campers
who have already been through the spearhead program.
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