Five OA High Adventure Programs! OA Summit Experience: Summit Bechtel Reserve OA Trail Crew: Philmont Scout Ranch OA Wilderness Voyage: Northern Tier OA Canadian Odyssey: Northern Tier OA Ocean Adventure: Florida Sea Base

Benefits of OA Treks Lower cost and longer treks Opportunity to work and play (pretty much at same time) Meet Arrowmen from around the country Build lifelong friendships Earn not-for-sale, OA specific patches Have the opportunity to meet and work with lodge chiefs, section officers, and national officers

How to Sign Up! Go to Option 1) Print an application out, fill it out, and then mail it with deposit or full fee Option 2) Register online, pay online----new in 2015!!! $50 Non-Refundable Deposit is required when submitting application Pay the full fee at that time (full payment due within 60 days of acceptance) Obtain lodge adviser and Scout executive/lodge staff adviser permission ( approval is acceptable)

Costs Summit Experience: $250 Trail Crew: $300 Wilderness Voyage/Canadian Odyssey: $200 Ocean Adventure: $500 Camperships are potentially available

Length of the Programs OA Summit Experience: 8 days (Sunday to Sunday) OA Trail Crew:14 days (Monday-2 Mondays Later) OA Wilderness Voyage/OA Canadian Odyssey:14 days (Wednesday to 2 Wednesdays Later) OA Ocean Adventure:10 days (Days vary)

Other General Information You must be registered member of BSA and OA Have to have current health form Follow height/weight guidelines Be able to lift/carry up to 50 lbs. Have to pass swim test for OAWV, OACO, and OAOA Degree of membership does not matter Don’t expect to have phones/watches/electronics on the adventure

Age Range Summit Experience: Trail Crew, Wilderness Voyage/Canadian Odyssey, Ocean Adventure: 16-20

Next Step: Plane, Train, or Automobile...Getting to the High Adventure Made easiest with a travel buddy from your lodge Driving is an option Flying is an option Train is an option for Philmont (Amtrak Southwest Chief)

Flying Plane tickets are best purchased 7 weeks ahead of your flight Option for SBR: Charleston, WV Options for Philmont: Denver, Colorado Springs, Albuquerque Option for Northern Tier: Minneapolis Option for Sea Base: Miami

Flying, cont. Consider: -Remember restrictions on items (no knifes/weapons in carry on, limited size of toiletries, etc) -Extra fees for baggage and carry on -Arrival and departure times-all programs request that you arrive by a certain time -Also consider times for shuttle departure

Other Options Amtrak Train station in Raton, New Mexico- try to arrive the day before Driving to airport then taking shuttle Driving to base Being dropped-off at base

Shuttle Information Shuttles will leave at the time specified, don't be late (shuttle will depart airport by mid-afternoon at latest, so try to arrive at airport by late morning) Payment is due at time of service Will cost around , depending on the shuttle service Ask about having food and drink in vehicles Return flights-don’t schedule return flights until afternoon/evening

More General Information Will want spending money (for meals on road, and the fabulous trading posts at the bases) Tell your parents when you arrive! Can be reached in emergencies on trail Can write to participant, if wanted (do early enough to make sure it will be received in time) Make sure to send back travel information card (flight time/number/driving/etc.) Don't forget any medications!

Gear, Gear, Gear Some of same gear is needed for each high adventure Avoid denim or cotton products Try to get moisture-wicking, quick drying materials Bandanas are a very useful for each Break footwear in prior to trip! Always take your Class A and OA Sash! Sunblock, lip balm, and insect repellant are a must

OA Summit Experience Takes place at Summit Bechtel Reserve Started in 2014 Meant as introductory OAHA Experience Foremen are well trained. At least one of every pair is WFA trained, all have CPR and first aid training.

The Experience Work portion: building/maintaining trails in SBR and New River Gorge Trek portion: Do a variety of SBR activities, including whitewater rafting Full list of gear can be found at bsa.org/files/OASE_Packing_List.pdf

Philmont Trail Crew-The Original OAHA Started in 1995 Primarily backpacking focused OA trek benefits: – Get in when other crews can get blocked – Everybody at Philmont loves the OA! – Go back and see the new trail you build years later! Led by 2 foremen per crew, first aid and CPR certified, highly trained

The Experience Build trail the first week Workplace changes year to year Second week is a trek week in the Philmont backcountry Complete list of gear can be found at bsa.org/files/Philmont_Packing_List_2015.htm bsa.org/files/Philmont_Packing_List_2015.htm

Specific Information For shuttles from airports, they leave the day BEFORE your scheduled start date – If your session is June 22nd-July 6th, you'll have to fly in on June 21st to take the shuttle to be at Philmont in time The train shuttle from Raton is more flexible, but try to get train ride the day before

After Before

OA Wilderness Voyage/Canadian Odyssey Started in 1999 (Canada in 2009) Two weeks in the wilderness Takes place in Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (US) or Quetico Provincial Park (Canada) Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base is 22 miles northeast of Ely Crew is led by two foremen, Eagle Scouts, Wilderness First Aid, CPR, emergency contact can be made

The Experience Work on portages hundreds of years old doing: corduroy removal, turnpike building, etc. Get to see the beauty of the Boundary Waters on trek!

Extra Opportunities Become Leave No Trace trained Become a Leave No Trace trainer (BSA youth position) Fishing is allowed, with gear and valid Minnesota State License (OAWV) or Ontario Fishing License and Outdoor Card (OACO) Complete list can be found at bsa.org/files/NorthernTierPackingList.pdf

Essential Information for Canadian Odyssey You must have a valid passport! Information on passports can be found at the US State Department website Cost for first time applicant over 16 will be 135 total for book, 55 for card Passport card can be used Also need to return the RABC form, filled out, to Northern Tier 6-8 weeks before (don't send money)

Before After

OA Ocean Adventure-The Key, Capstone Experience Program Started in 2005 Program Re-done in 2010 Located at Brinton Environmental Center on Summerland Key Warm, crystal clear waters of the Gulf and Ocean 2 foremen-first aid, CPR Ship captain is highly experienced Complete gear list can be found at bsa.org/files/OAOA_What_to_Bring_2014.pdf

The Experience Work at Big Munson Island, Boy Scout owned island Sail on a 40' sailboat during the trek!

Specific Gear Take plenty of long clothing for Big Munson Island-to avoid no-see-um bites (little bugs) Pocket knives/multi-tools discouraged as salt water causes rusting Quick-dry towel, as Florida is wet Swimsuit that won’t fall down in water Complete gear list can be found at bsa.org/files/OAOA_What_to_Bring_2014.pdf bsa.org/files/OAOA_What_to_Bring_2014.pdf

BeforeAfter

The OAHA Triple Crown Award Attend 3 of 5 high adventures and get.....

The OAHA Triple Crown Can only be earn by attending 3 different bases Patch will be surrounded by rockers, signifying the programs completed – A certificate signed by national officers is included – You are also eligible to receive the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association Triple Crown Patch

For Parents and Leaders You may be asking, "Why should and/or would I ever let my son or scout travel by himself, across the country, for two whole weeks, when I can't reach him unless in a dire emergency?????!!!!!!!!" Well, here are some answers to that....

“Proud doesn't begin to describe my feelings when my son related stories of his OA Trail Crew adventure. In a short two weeks he had an experience that literally transformed his life.” “The Wilderness Voyage to me is two-fold—service and fun. Would I go back for this same experience again? Absolutely! The Wilderness Voyage has taught me a lot about myself and even helped me to understand who I am just a little bit better. I am forever a changed young man for participating”

“Being one of the first participants in the Summit Experience was amazing. Seeing the Summit in a different way, building rather than using, gave me a new perspective on the work required to run it. This was my first taste of OAHA, and I can’t wait to go on another once I turn 16!” “Ocean Adventure was a very positive experience for me. It was my second OAHA of that summer. The sunsets in the Keys are amazing. The amount of wildlife in the ocean is unmatched. I even got to help the captain pilot the boat! You have to go to fully experience it, as words and pictures can’t sum it up.”

Are You Convinced Yet? Scouts gain leadership and mature in a very short time frame Adventure and friendships that last a lifetime An Adventure Like No Other

Activity!! Plan your own trek! Groups will plan their own trek at one of the four bases Resources will be provided to help you explore the possibilities

Thank You for Coming! Are There Any Questions?