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, Backpacking, and Kayaking.

o Canoeing Treks

 Boundary Waters/Quetico

• Travel to the boundary waters area near the Gunflint Trail along the US-Canada border

• Moose, black bears, otters, pine martens, and loons are some of the animals in the area

 Flambeau Flowage

• Area filled with islands and coves

• Famous area for walleye fishing but northern pike, muskies, bass sturgeon, catfish, bluegill, and many other fish are in the area

• Camping at primitive sites

• Eagles, ospreys, beavers and sand cranes are some of the animals in the area

 Wisconsin Headwaters

• Trips can be modified to your groups needs

• Fishing is excellent from native trout to a range of panfish and gamefish

• Eagles, wolves, black bears, seer herons, and hawks roam in this area.

o Backpacking Trek

 Porcupine Mountains

• Treks range from 20-50 miles long dependent on crew preference

• Permits, equipment, food and an experienced guide are provided.

• The area offers a mixed terrain from mountains to lakes

 Isle Royale

• The area is only accessible by boat to the least visited national park crossing Lake Superior’s northwest section

• Thousands of acres of backcountry camping

• Great scenery paired with moose and wolves on the island.

 Ice Age Trail

• Trail winds through the lakes and bogs formed by the last glacier’s melting

• Set among a forest of spruce, fir, maple, and birch

• Excellent introduction to backcountry camping and is a good prep hike for a Philmont trek

o Kayaking

 Apostle Island Kayak Trek

• Trek led by an experienced guide through the collection of islands in Lake Superior

• Stunning geological formations including caverns, arches and pillars only accessible to other kayakers

• Camping will be done on the sandy beaches in the area.

If this sounds like a cool opportunity, head over to makajawan.com for more information. There is a lot more info on their site.

If you want more information on all kinds of high adventure options, head over to HighAdventureScouting.com.

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 adventure and the vastness of the swamp

· 61.6-mile journey through the western side of the Atchafalaya (a-chaf-a-lie-a) Swamp

· Paddle an average of 15.4 miles per day

· Allows you to get up close and personal with alligators on a swamp led tour by local guides

· Features floating campsites and a night at a primitive campsite at Rougarou (Roo-Gaa-Roy) Island.

The trip

· Day 1 is 19.4 miles featuring a wall of cypress trees as you start out. The Turtles floating campsite will be a welcome sight on night 1.

· Day 2 is 10.4 miles and starts with a swamp tour on a boat. You will spend the night on Rougarou (Roo-Gaa-Roy) Island.

· Day 3 is 14.6 miles, and you will venture though the forgotten cove. You will be spending two nights at Camp Atchafalaya (a-chaf-a-lie-a). Crews will enjoy a Cajun Cracker Barrel on Day 3.

· Day 4 features no paddling as you enjoy activities such as wood carving, Cajun Cooking, branding, and trail exploration. You will also get a chance to hold a baby alligator.

· Day 5 will take crews 17.2 miles and completion of the trek. There is an 800-foot portage that is called the Swamp Stomp where crews will have a good time in the mud.

Swamp Base also has other events throughout the year including the Swamp-O-Ree as well as opportunities for shorter weekend trips.

If this sounds like a cool opportunity, head over to swampbasebsa.org for more information. There is a lot more info on their site.

If you want more information on all kinds of high adventure options, head over to HighAdventureScouting.com.

#highadventure #boyscouts #boyscoutsofamerica #scoutingamerica #swampbase @swampbasebsa

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.

· ATV Action Course allows you to pilot your own quad around the natural terrain of Z-Base.

· Mountain Biking allows you to ride through some scenic and rugged terrain on a very robust trail system in Oklahoma

· Aerial Adventure is a 70-foot-high ropes course with over 40 elements to traverse over. There is also a zip line that goes over 1,300 feet across the lake.

· Cable Wake is a Unique overhead cable system that is designed for wake boarding, water skiing and knee boarding. This is a unique adventure not found in many places.

· Ninja Warrior & Tree House Adventure is an obstacle course with three suspended tree house lodges connected by gravity defying bridges.

· Aquatics Adventure center allows the use of jet skis through a water obstacle course.

· Western Village features cowboy action shooting and a chuck wagon dinner.

This is a full week of activity starting on Sunday and ending on Saturday – much like a typical summer camp. A few items to keep in mind.

· If you are participating in the ATV program, you will need to bring proof of an online pre-course completion and parental waivers.

· If participating the Jet Ski program, bring proof of state boaters’ course and waivers. Must have card in hand.

· Swim check roster with tester documentation.

· Each group will have to have one adult with current CPR and Wilderness First Aid.

· There are a few additional items required which are typical including BSA medical forms A, B, & C with proof of medical insurance, copy of the council insurance, and proof of adult youth protection training.

· Minimum age is 13 years old by the time of your trek. You must be 14 for the ATV trek.

· You don’t have to bring a tent for this trip, but a sleeping pad is highly recommended.

#highadventure #boyscouts #boyscoutsofamerica #scoutingamerica #zbase @zbase4888 @okscouts