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High Adventure (HA) Guidelines
High Adventure (HA) Guidelines
What constitutes a beginner, intermediate, or advanced HA outing is subjective. The follow is to be used as a suitability guideline. HA outings addressed here include backpacking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking, cycling, canoeing, rock climbing and rappelling, and snow camping. Other outings will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Procedure: Prior to the HA outing, the Adult Leader (AL) responsible for the outing should review each scout (and adult) signed up against the criteria provided below. If there is any question as to an individual’s suitability to participate, the AL should call a suitability review board with the Scoutmaster (SM) and HA Chair (HAC).
1. Beginner Outing Criteria
a. Age and rank – No age or rank requirement.
b. Experience/Skills – At least 2 overnight car campout with the troop except as stated below.
c. Equipment
i. Prior to 1st beginner outing, attend a “Gear Night” with a parent.
ii. Have gear checked at a Troop Meeting prior to 1st beginner outing.
d. Strength/Fitness – as assessed from BSA health and medical records and/or parent permission forms.
e. Outing Limitations – What constitutes a beginner outing is subjective. However, elements described below can be used as a guide.
i. No more than 5 miles backpacking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing, 8 miles hiking, or 15 miles or 4 hours cycling daily, if elevation gains of no more than 1000’.
ii. No more than 7 miles backpacking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing, 10 miles hiking or 25 miles or 6 hours cycling daily, if elevation is level.
iii. No more than 6 miles or 5 hours canoeing daily (in conjunction with a canoeing class associated with completing the Canoeing merit badge).
iv. No more than 25 feet rappelling (typically indoor).
v. No more than 1 night snow camping.
2. Intermediate Outing Criteria
a. Age – No age requirement.
b. Rank – At least 2nd Class Rank.
c. Experience/Skills
i. Scouts should complete at least 2 beginner outings in the same skill area.
ii. Completion of Canoeing MB required for Intermediate or higher Canoeing outings.
d. Equipment – As assessed from gear checks or previous outings.
e. Strength/Fitness – as assessed from previous outings and BSA health and medical records and/or parent permission forms.
f. Maturity/Social Skills – as assessed from previous activities and outings.
g. Outing Limitations – What constitutes an intermediate outing is subjective. However, elements 50% greater than (1.5 times) that described in 1e “Beginner Outing Limitations” above can be used as a guide.
h. Outing Examples
i. Canoeing – Salty Rat or Colorado River day trip.
ii. Rock Climbing – Rappelling and rock scrambling outdoors.
3. Advanced Outing Criteria
a. Age – At least 14 years old or meet outing site organization’s age requirements.
b. Rank – 1st Class Rank.
c. Experience/Skills – participation in intermediate outings in the same skill area.
d. Equipment – As assessed from gear checks or previous outings.
e. Strength/Fitness – as assessed from previous outings and BSA health and medical records and parent permission forms.
f. Maturity/Social Skills – as assessed from previous activities and outings.
g. Outing Limitations – constitutes an advanced HA outing is subjective. However, elements double (2 times) that described in 1e “Beginner Outing Limitations” above can be used as a guide.
h. Outing Examples
i. Philmont.
ii. Sierra Trek.
iii. Rock Climbing – Repelling, climbing, belaying, setup, and rescue.
iv. Snowshoe Backpacking.
v. Canoeing – Northern Tier, Colorado River overnight trip.
Recognition!
Scouts will be awarded a HA Shirt after they participate in 3 advanced outings and pay for the shirt.
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