If you consider yourself an adventurous Scout, seeking challenging extremes such as river rafting on explosive rapids to tackling a 100-foot rock, you have the right attitude for High Adventure. This exciting Scouting program consists of a group of trained leaders who organize thrilling activities throughout the year and invite registered Scouts, 14 years and older, to join the events. High Adventure includes river rafting, multi-day backpacking, canoeing, snow camping, and many other adrenaline-packed activities.
High Adventure is national Scout program with numerous base camps in a majority of the states. Each facility offers a differnt activity program open to High Adventure Teams across the nation. Camp High Sierra, for example, located in Sonora, California, offers a 7-day trek including rock climbing, sailing, backpacking, river walking, and leadership training. Just within California alone, there are a total of four High Adventure bases, which offers the Redwood Empire Council's High Adventure Team the opportunity to explore a diverse amount of facility activities in different regions of the state.
In 2005, the REC's High Adventure Team spent a day in May whitewater rafting at the South Fork of the American River in the foothills of Sacramento. The group consisted of 44 people, 10 of which were adults.
A council contingent spent two weeks in July at the largest base, Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. This base camp offers the opportunity to experience views from peaks over 10,000 feet tall, rifle shooting, rock climbing, wilderness education, archery, fishing, and campfires. The trip was attended by 20 Boy Scouts and four adult leaders from our council. Another trip is scheduled for 2006.
In addition to Philmont Scout Ranch, there are two other main bases, Northern Tier and Florida Sea Base also offer a variety of unique activities including backpacking, canoeing, SCUBA diving, fishing, and snorkling.
