Clara Rohrer, Evelyn Talkington and Sofia Schwartze paddle on a Northern Tier lake with their plush mascot.
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Clara Rohrer, Evelyn Talkington and Sofia Schwartze paddle on a Northern Tier lake with their plush mascot.
You dip your paddle into the deep blue lake as your lightweight Kevlar canoe cuts through gentle waves. With fresh wind in your face, you spot a black and white bird dip below the surface — it’s a common loon diving for fish. Once your crew makes it to shore, you hike through lush evergreen forests on your way to find rocky cliffs, scenic campsites and cascading waterfalls.
Sounds fantastic, doesn’t it? This is Northern Tier, one of Scouting America’s high-adventure bases, stationed on both sides of the Minnesota-Canada border. If you’re an older Scout in Scouts BSA, a Sea Scout or a Venturer, you can go on a trek in this canoeing paradise.
And that’s just what a group of Scouts from the Heart of America Council did last summer.
Left: A crew stops for a lunch break. Right: Morgan Hegemier, a Northern Tier crew interpreter, helps the group plan its trip.
Two crews — one with boys and one with girls — took off from the Ely, Minn., base for a weeklong journey on the water. By the end, they’d travel at least 60 miles, stopping by waterfalls, reaching the Canadian border and sighting wildlife like bald eagles, chipmunks and loons.
“There was a lone Canada goose I named ‘Hobbes,’” says Calvin Ingham, 15, a Life Scout with Troop 60 of Lawrence, Kansas. “He ended up trailing our canoe.”
Top: Kieryn Kurtz, Ruthy Stepp and Layla Kurtz paddle by a loon, a bird often seen at Northern Tier.
The Scouts didn’t just find camaraderie among the critters; they also grew closer to each other as the week progressed, encouraging each other as they learned new skills.
For instance, in bear country, food and other smellables should be stored where bears can’t get to them. One way is to throw a rope over a sturdy horizontal tree branch and hoist your stuff into the air.
But on the first day, some Scouts struggled to string a bear bag over a branch. Trying again and again felt pretty discouraging, but they didn’t give up. By the end of the week, they could set it up on the first try.
“I know I can push myself and find new limits,” says Life Scout Kieryn Kurtz, 14, with Troop 332 of Blue Springs, Missouri.
Paddling also presented a challenge, but the Scouts adjusted to their strengths and preferences. Most of the steering is handled from the back of the boat, while the pace is set by the person seated up front.
“I learned how to paddle,” says Eagle Scout Layla Kurtz, 16, with Troop 332. “By the end of it, I didn’t want to stop paddling. We had our roles. We did an amazing job.”
When you work as a team, tasks go more smoothly, which helps everyone focus on the positives. But sometimes you might need a little help focusing.
The crews clean their gear to prevent the spread of invasive species.
“Your biggest opponent is always yourself,” says Taro Riffle, 17, a Life Scout from Troop 777 in Blue Springs, Mo. “There were days when I was done paddling, but I kept going.”
“We’d tell stories to make the time go faster,” says Life Scout Ruthy Stepp, 15, from Troop 374 of Liberty, Mo. “It got our minds off of paddling.”
Although paddling for miles can get tiring, the crews felt grateful for their time in the backcountry whenever they reached a destination.
“Not a lot of people get to do something like this,” says Sofia Schwartze, 16, a Life Scout with Troop 7220 of Lee’s Summit, Mo. “It was fantastic, and the scenery was beautiful.”
Left: Jaxon Pugh, Cierden Berrens, Carter Joyce and Connor Bordey pack some trail food with help from adult leaders.
“It was a good experience for everyone,” says Cierden Berrens, 15, a Life Scout with Troop 1042 of Lee’s Summit. “I’d never been that far north.”
The Scouts went home with more than fun canoeing memories. They also discovered a love for the outdoors, which they shared with their troops back home so they could figure out how to go on future adventures, including returning to
Northern Tier.
“There was time to reflect,” Taro says. “I reflected on wanting to give back. I want to become a leader and help younger Scouts more.”
You have options for getting to a high-adventure base.
First, check with your local council for fundraisers you can do. Your unit can also come up with its own fundraiser. Just make sure your council and chartering organization approve it before you start.
Northern Tier partners with councils, like the Heart of America Council, to provide fully paid treks for Scouts in underprivileged situations through an outreach program. The high-adventure base also offers camperships for individual Scouts looking for extra assistance.
Northern Tier offers a variety of treks at different price points, depending on the time of year or focus of the trek.
“The first step is just asking,” Sofia says. “So many people have done it and are in a position to help others go. If you want to go, just ask. People can’t help you if you don’t ask for help.”
Left: Taro Riffle carries a canoe between two lakes. This is called “portaging.”
Scouting America operates four national high-adventure bases, each offering thrilling activities and unforgettable experiences.
• Sea Base, Florida: Go deep-sea fishing, sailing, scuba diving and more while visiting the Florida Keys, Bahamas and U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Northern Tier, Minn., and Ontario, Canada: In addition to summer and autumn canoe treks, you can go cross-country skiing, dog sledding and snowshoeing in the winter.
• Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico: Head into the mountains to go backpacking or horseback riding. You can also enjoy rock climbing, mountain biking, living history programs and much more.
• Summit Bechtel Reserve, West Virginia: Take your pick from whitewater rafting, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) rides, skateboarding, zip lines, climbing and more.
JL VETERAN 37 MALANG
