High Adventure programs are a natural evolution of the Scouting program meant to challenge Scouts as they grow older - and put to use all the skills they have been taught thus far. In addition, the programs take advantage of our awesome natural surroundings, as the programs are designed around Maine's great lakes, rivers, mountains, and coastlines!

The Pine Tree Council High Adventure Base operates out of the Training Center at Camp Hinds. It runs simultaneously with mutual support of the Camp Hinds resident camp so that troops can bring their Scouts and have a progressive program for all.

The high adventure participants will check in on Sunday and meet their trek leaders. After med & swim checks, it’s off to prepare for your trek. Treks will leave out of the Training Center on Monday and return on Friday afternoon in time for the closing campfire with their parents and troop.

All High adventure programs are reserved for patrols or Crews. If you have individual Scouts wanting to trek, please contact Pine Tree Council to see if there are openings! A High Adventure Guide with more information will be available once a trek is reserved! Basic crew equipment is provided for all treks.

2006 Dates and Programs

Other Trek Options:

Groups do have the option of designing their own trek with their adult leaders and High Adventure Guide. Take one of the featured treks and add elements to it to fit your group’s personality and needs! Options include a day of rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and backpacking! An additional fee may apply based on the options chosen.

Trek Staff

Trek Staff ~ All treks will be led by two adult experienced trek leaders trained at B.S.A. National Camping School and with State of Maine trek leader guidelines. As safety is our first concern, all trek leaders will have CPR and First Aid certifications!

2006 Trek Fees

High Adventure Sign-ups will be taken on a first come ~ first serve basis with a $250 group deposit down.

Groups are encouraged to make reservations by May 1, 2006 to ensure your space!

Age & Prerequisites

• Age 14 or older
• Good physical shape and trek conditioning at least 30 days in advance
• Water treks require participants to easily pass the B.S.A. swimmers test
• Some treks may require merit badges or equivalent skills as prerequisites
• Leader’s recommendation on skill level and maturity
• Class 3 Medical Forms are required (Needs a doctor’s physical within 12 months of trek)

Trek Staff

All treks will be led by two adults experienced trek leaders trained at B.S.A. National Camping School and with State of Maine trek leader guidelines. As safety is our first concern, all trek leaders will have CPR and First Aid certifications.

Trek Advancement

While treks aren’t designed for specific advancement, each program will meet some merit badge requirements and may complete other awards. Advancement sheets will be given out to participants at the end of the treks.

Patrols or Crews - Use the Trek Patrol / Crew Sign-up form! Send in a $250 group deposit. Recommended to reserve by May 1, 2006 to ensure your trek!

Group Size
For Patrols or Crews attending as a group

6 - 11 participants (youth & adult)
Minimum of 1 adult with all groups. A PTC Trek Guide will be assigned to your trek. Per National BSA standards, Venture Crews with female participants must supply one adult female leader. Female participants must have equivalent skills for pre-requisites!

2006 Highlights and Program Descriptions

All High Adventure Programs will offer:
Leave No Trace
GPS Navigation Skills
Challenge and Team Building Elements
Map & Compass Skills
Conservation Projects
First Aid Skills
Wilderness Camping
Merit Badge or Ranger Award Advancements

50 Miler Wilderness Canoe Trek
Canoe for 5 days in the Maine wilderness and earn your 50 Miler! Participants will leave camp on Monday for the beginning of their adventure of five days of canoeing on the Moose River with eagles, moose and loons as your companions! A couple of short hikes to a magnificent waterfall and up Sally Mountain to enjoy the scenic views of the Moose River Alley are part of the fun! Evenings will be spent at established campsites with your crew leaders! Return to camp on Friday afternoon to join in the closing campfire! Earn your Fifty Miler award while enjoying a great adventure! Must have earned Swimming and Canoeing MB’s or equivalent skills for Ventures.

Sea Kayaking Trek
Led by an experienced BSA Trek Leader! Start your week in camp with basic kayaking instruction and safety training, from there this program will find you paddling down the Shepscot River to stay on Beal’s Island! Enjoy many day trips perfecting your skills and learning about aquatic life, kayaking alongside a seal, enjoy meals from the sea, explore Maine’s rugged coast ‘til your return to camp on Friday. Must be a strong swimmer! Some kayaking experience helpful!

Survivor Island
Returning again this year! Join your guide and his crew for a week of PTC’s own Survivor Island! Can you survive on your own for a week! Very little equipment will be provided but you will have an expert in wilderness survival along to make sure you can survive! Participants will leave the Training Center on Monday and be shipped off to an island on the coast of Maine to learn how to exist without the modern conveniences known to man! Join our tribe and learn edible food and wilderness survival skills or don’t survive! Come back at the end of the week as an Island Survivor with the skills and knowledge to live on your own!

“Design your own Trek”
Groups do have the option of designing their own trek with advise from their adult leaders and High Adventure Guide. Take one of the featured treks and add elements to it to fit your group’s personality and needs! Options include a day of rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and backpacking! An additional fee may apply based on the options chosen.