Backpacking and Patches
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 Backpacking Award Requirements: 1. Complete one Long-Term Backpack trek, with the trail and itinerary not qualifying for any other award. 2. Complete 12 hours of Trail-Saver work in the same year. Advanced Backpacking Award Requirements: 1. Complete another Long-Term Backpack trek, with the trail and itinerary not qualifying for any other award. 2. Complete more 12 hours of Trail-Saver work in the same year. 3. Earn the Camping Merit Badge 4. Earn the Cooking Merit Badge 5. Earn the Hiking Merit Badge For complete current information: John Jones, 1014 Burr St., Davis CA 95616, (530)758-9867 |
 Training Hike Award Description: This is a training Backpack in the backcountry or wilderness and shall not qualify if taken in an urban or cultivated area. It is intended as a qualifying exercise for Long-Term Backpacking Treks/50 Milers. Each training hike is a 5 mile minimum(or 7 hours backpack hiking) with an overnight camp(primitive or trail camp site) that has been accessed only by hiking to it (not necessarily inaccessible by other means) with return hike-out the following day. Requirements: 1. Take an overnight backpack trip of 2 consecutive days of at least 5 miles in a backcountry or wilderness area; camping in a primitive or trail camp. 2. Comply with the GENERAL REQUIREMENTS, except First Aid Card requirements do not apply. For complete current information: John Jones, 1014 Burr St., Davis CA 95616, (530)758-9867  Hike in a National Forest Award Description: This is a training Backpack in the backcountry or wilderness and shall not qualify if taken in an urban or cultivated area. It is intended as a qualifying exercise for Long-Term Backpacking Treks/50 Milers. Each training hike is a 5 mile minimum(or 7 hours backpack hiking) with an overnight camp(primitive or trail camp site) that has been accessed only by hiking to it (not necessarily inaccessible by other means) with return hike-out the following day. Requirements: 1. Make an overnight backpack of at least 7 backpack hours, camping in a primitive camp in the backcountry. 2. The campsite and over half of the backpack must be in a National Forest. 3. Have previously earned two Training Hike Awards. 4. Comply with the GENERAL REQUIREMENTS. For complete current information: John Jones, 1014 Burr St., Davis CA 95616, (530)758-9867  Hike in a State Park or County Park Award Description: This is a training Backpack in the backcountry or wilderness and shall not qualify if taken in an urban or cultivated area. It is intended as a qualifying exercise for Long-Term Backpacking Treks/50 Milers. Each training hike is a 5 mile minimum(or 7 hours backpack hiking) with an overnight camp(primitive or trail camp site) that has been accessed only by hiking to it (not necessarily inaccessible by other means) with return hike-out the following day. Requirements: 1. Make an overnight backpack of at least 7 backpack hours, camping in a primitive camp in the backcountry. 2. The campsite and over half of the backpack must be in a State Park or a County Park. 3. Comply with the GENERAL REQUIREMENTS, except First Aid Card requirements do not apply. For complete current information: John Jones, 1014 Burr St., Davis CA 95616, (530)758-9867  Hike in a National Park or National Monument Award Description: This is a training Backpack in the backcountry or wilderness and shall not qualify if taken in an urban or cultivated area. It is intended as a qualifying exercise for Long-Term Backpacking Treks/50 Milers. Each training hike is a 5 mile minimum(or 7 hours backpack hiking) with an overnight camp(primitive or trail camp site) that has been accessed only by hiking to it (not necessarily inaccessible by other means) with return hike-out the following day. Requirements: 1. 1.Make an overnight backpack of at least 7 backpack hours, camping in a primitive camp in the backcountry. 2. The campsite and over half of the backpack must be in a National Park or a National Monument. 3. Comply with the GENERAL REQUIREMENTS, except First Aid Card requirements do not apply. For complete current information: John Jones, 1014 Burr St., Davis CA 95616, (530)758-9867  Peak Bagger Requirements: Incremental awards for each 5 peaks climbed. These awards are qualified for by climbing various mountain peaks during backpacking treks, either on side, day hikes, or along the trail. The awards represent a progression of increasingly more challenging accrued increments of 5 Peaks climbed. Only one peak may be climbed per day and each increment of 5 must include a mix of moderate to strenuous climbs 9at leat 500', or more typically, 1,000 or more gain in elevation), with the mixes of climbs (usually 3 lesser and 2 greater) becoming progressively more challenging (Moderate to Difficult to Strenuous to very Strebuous) for the progressive awards, (Lists of qualifying peaks can be reviewed with the High Adventure Team). For complete current information: John Jones, 1014 Burr St., Davis CA 95616, (530)758-9867  Ski Training Award, Nordic NOTE: Due to the strenuous nature of this activity and the necessary physical requirements, this award is offered only to youths and adults who have been judged by a medical doctor to be in physical condition to participate. Requirements: 1. Meet all applicable General Requirements. 2. Each applicant shall have one (1) weekend winter conditioning hike without skies of not less than 1 miles round trip with an overnight campout in the snow. Not required if participant has earned the Snowshoe Training award. 3. Minimum skiing distance, 2.5 miles over a two day period, with an overnight campout in the snow. 4. Council Winter Backpack Awareness Course and the associated Nordic Skiing Seminar is required for at least one registered adult going on trip. 5. Minimum age shall be eleven (11) years or older and at the discretion of the adult leading the trip. 6. Check in and out with Ranger whenever and wherever possible. 7. Prepare a roster and itinerary for the trip. File with the Ranger if possible. 8. Location of trip shall be of the Unit's choice with the approval of a High Adventure Approval Counselor from your Council's High Adventure Team Approval roster, prior to going. Location may be anywhere good skiing conditions exist over the trip. 9. A person can earn only two (2) of these awards during their scouting career. 10. After the trip, have HAT Approval Person (See Item 8) sign and approve the award application within a 10 day period. For complete current information: John Jones, 1014 Burr St., Davis CA 95616, (530)758-9867  Ski Training Award, SnowshoeNOTE: Due to the strenuous nature of this activity and the necessary physical requirements, this award is offered only to youths and adults who have been judged by a medical doctor to be in physical condition to participate. Requirements: 1. Meet all applicable General Requirements. 2. Each applicant shall have one (1) weekend winter conditioning hike without snowshoes of not less than 1 miles round trip with an overnight campout in the snow. Not required if participant has earned the Nordic Training award. 3. Minimum snowshoe distance, 2.5 miles over a two day period, with an overnight campout in the snow. 4. Council Winter Backpack Awareness Course and the associated Snowshoe Seminar is required for at least one registered adult going on trip. 5. Minimum age shall be eleven (11) years or older and at the discretion of the adult leading the trip. 6. Check in and out with Ranger whenever and wherever possible. 7. Prepare a roster and itinerary for the trip. File with the Ranger if possible. 8. Location of trip shall be of the Unit's choice with the approval of a High Adventure Approval Counselor from your Council's High Adventure Team Approval roster, prior to going. Location may be anywhere that has a minimum of five (5) inches of snow over the entire trip. 9. A person can earn only two (2) of these awards during their scouting career. 10. After the trip, have HAT Approval Person (See Item 8) sign and approve the award application within a 10 day period. For complete current information: John Jones, 1014 Burr St., Davis CA 95616, (530)758-9867  Snow Hiking Award Description: This is a training Backpack in the backcountry or wilderness and shall not qualify if taken in an urban or cultivated area. It is intended as a qualifying exercise for Long-Term Backpacking Treks/50 Milers. Each training hike is a 5 mile minimum(or 7 hours backpack hiking) with an overnight camp(primitive or trail camp site) that has been accessed only by hiking to it (not necessarily inaccessible by other means) with return hike-out the following day. Requirements: 1. Take an overnight backpack of at least 5 miles (round trip) to a trail camp in the backcountry or wilderness. NOTE: "Car Camp" campsites do not qualify as a "Trail Camp." 2. There must be snow on both the trail and the campsite. NO EXCEPTIONS! 3. At least two meals, supper and breakfast, shall be prepared in the Trail Campsite. Everything must be backpacked in, including food. 4. All weekend hiking award requirements except Backpack hours must be met, plus the following items. 5. Each boy and adult must meet minimum experience requirements. 3 weekend hike awards within the previous 2 years. 12 years of age for Scouts. Completion of winter camping and snow travel HAT training by one adult accompanying the group. Two thirds of the Scouts and one adult going on the hike must have : (1) completed unit overnight drive in camp in the previous 18 months, camping on snow and preparing 2 meals in camp, or (2) received a snow hike patch in the previous 24 months. Comply with the GENERAL REQUIREMENTS, except First Aid Card requirements do not apply. For complete current information: John Jones, 1014 Burr St., Davis CA 95616, (530)758-9867  Trailsaver Conservation Program Description: Requirements: For complete current information: John Jones, 1014 Burr St., Davis CA 95616, (530)758-9867 |
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GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Introduction
The High Adventure Team is chartered with the responsibility to conduct training courses to provide an awareness of the various aspects of High Adventure activities. This allows maximum participation within safe and acceptable limits. Knowledge can often insure success, completion and enjoyment and prevent tragedy and misery. In addition to help promote the various High Adventure activities, an awards program was created to recognize various accomplishments. It is the intent of the various council High Adventure Teams to standardize the GENERAL REQUIREMENTS to avoid confusion. Specific requirements will henceforth be included with the specific awards, i.e. distances, hiking hours, conservation hours, conditioning requirements, etc.
- CHANGES OR EXCEPTIONS Changes, exceptions, modifications, or waivers of any High Adventure Award requirements shall be made only in advance of the outing and in writing by the High Adventure Team of the council sponsoring the award. They shall not be made by any other person, including professional scouters, council employees, or volunteer scouters.
- AWARDS MUST BE EARNED No High Adventure Award shall be given, or otherwise made available to any person who has not completed all of the requirements for the award, including these GENERAL REQUIREMENTS. The awards described in this booklet are often in form of general information only. It is suggested that participants contact the Council issuing the award for complete and current information BEFORE attempting to complete the requirements. Many awards have additional maps, brochures and help aids that are necessary supplements to the requirements.
- RECIPEINTS MUST BE REGISTERED Only Currently registered members of the Boy Scouts of America are eligible to receive High Adventure Awards.
- REGISTERED UNITS Awards may be earned only on scheduled outings of registered units, or a District or Council function.
- ONE TRIP/ONE AWARD Generally, only one award may be earned for one outing, unless otherwise stated in writing in the award requirements. Example: The Dan Diego Council "High Sierra Indicator Segments" are designator segments for use with other awards. The Western LA Council "14,495' Club" Mount Whitney climb may be earned individually or as part of a long term backpack trip in conjunction with another award, and the various Trailsaver Awards may be earned in addition to hiking awards. The awards specifically contained in this book, High Adventure Awards for Scouts and Ventures, are only available to registered Boy Scouts and Venture Scouts and in specific cases, Girl Scouts.
- BSA TOUR PERMIT A Local Tour Permit, BSA Form 4426, issued by the local Council, is required if the distance is less than 500 miles and the trip is within the North American Continent, including Canada and Mexico. A National Tour Permit, BSA Form 4419, issued by the Western Region, is required if the tour is 500 miles or over or if the tour is in a foreign country. Applications for both tour permits are to be submitted in advance in accordance with local Council procedures. A tour permit number is required with all award applications. Some Councils require additional permits which must also be obtained.
- OTHER PERMITS REQUIRED When/where other permits/requirements are necessary they must be obtained for the trip in order to be eligible for High Adventure Awards. These are "Wilderness", "Dispersed Area", "use", "Primitive Area", "National Park", "Camping", "Fire", "State Park", permits. It is the intent that units meet and comply with the various Agency Requirements for a particular area.
- REQUIREMENT FOR ADULTS At least two (2) adult leaders, one of whom must be 21 years or older, are required for ALL trips or outings. A minimum of four (4) persons per trip is required to be eligible for a High Adventure Award. Minimum High Adventure Training requirements will be included in specific award descriptions. At least one (1) adult with the group taking the trip SHALL have a current, Multi-media, or Advanced First Aid Card or be qualified Medical Professional. For those trips where "Safety Afloat" is applicable, the CPR requirement will be met.
- FAMILIARITY WITH LITERATURE Leaders should be familiar with the BSA Outdoor Skills Manuals, the San Diego County Council Trek Aids, Los Angeles Area Council Hike Aids and other current Hi8gh Adventure literature. Familiarity with the new BSA Field Book, similar literature is encouraged.
- HIGH ADVENTURE AWARD APPLICATION FORM The High Adventure Award Form must be filled in completely before submitting it to the High Adventure Team Approval person for review and approval. All High Adventure Awards must include a complete and approved High Adventure Award Application. Awards can not be ordered through your local Council Scout Shop or the Council sponsoring the award. If you have questions about any specific award, contact the appropriate Council H.A.T Chairman listed in the of the booklet.
- SAFETY A signed Parent Consent Form and Medical Release Form is required for each youth (under 18) going on the trip. It is the policy of the Boy Scouts of America that trips and outings NEVER be lead by only one adult. At least two (2) adult leaders, one of whom must be 21 years or older, are required for all trips or outings. The "Safety Rule of Four" requires that no fewer than four individuals (always with a minimum of two adults) go on any backcountry expedition. If an accident occurs, one person always stays with the injured and two go for help. Additional adult leadership requirements (i.e. training) must reflect an awareness of such factors as size and/or skill level of the group, anticipated environmental conditions, and overall degree of challenge. No pets, firearms, alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, or non-prescription drugs are allowed with any participant on the trip. EXCEPTIONS: Seeing Eye Dogs. Each participant including adults, must have an appropriate medical exam within twelve (12) months prior to a long-term trip, or shorter period is listed as a specific requirement for an award. Evidence must be shown if requested.
- CONSERVATION If a specific award requires a conservation project, the project must be accomplished prior to receiving the award. It should be authorized prior to work commencement and signed off upon completion by a representative for that Agency for which the work was accomplished.
- GENERAL These requirements are intended for Boy Scouts, Venture Scouts and where applicable Girl Scouts.
- NATIONAL POLICY Boy Scouts/Venture Scouts are encouraged to participate in short-term (less than 6 days) and long-term (6 or more days) camps as well as wilderness expeditions and tours to develop skills essential to living in a primitive setting. Scouting provides High Adventure programs for this purpose.
- YOUTH PROTECTION National Policy is currently in effect in many Council's participating in the awards programs outlined in this booklet.
- Tour Permits will be issued only to those leaders that have successfully completed the Youth Protection course.
- The designated Trek Leader must have completed the Youth Protection Course.