Five OA High Adventure Programs!

2. 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

3. 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

4. How to Sign Up! • Go to http://adventure.oa-bsa.org/ • 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 (email approval is acceptable)

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

6. 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)

7. 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

8. Age Range • Summit Experience: 14-17 • Trail Crew, Wilderness Voyage/Canadian Odyssey, Ocean Adventure: 16-20

9. 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)

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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 100-150, depending on the shuttle service • Ask about having food and drink in vehicles • Return flights-don’t schedule return flights until afternoon/evening

14. 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!

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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 http://adventure.oa-bsa.org/files/OASE_Packing_List.pdf

18. 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

19. 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 http://adventure.oa-bsa.org/files/Philmont_Packing_List_2015.htm

20. 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

21. After Before

22. 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

23. 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!

24. 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 http://adventure.oa-bsa.org/files/NorthernTierPackingList.pdf

25. 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)

26. After Before

27. 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 http://adventure.oa-bsa.org/files/OAOA_What_to_Bring_2014.pdf

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

29. 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 http://adventure.oa-bsa.org/files/OAOA_What_to_Bring_2014.pdf

30. Before After

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

33. 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

34. 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....

35. “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”

36. “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.”

37. 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

38. 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

39. Thank You for Coming! Are There Any Questions?