ADIRONDACK HIGH ADVENTURE TREK PROGRAM Massawepie Scout Camps LEADERS INFORMATION & PREPARATION GUIDE 2018 TREKS Boy Scouts of America 2320 Brighton Henreitta Town Line Road Rochester, NY 14623 585-241-8545
camping@senewaterways.org TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 3 Group and Personal Equipment 4 Religious Services 4 Developing Your Program 4 Medical Forms 4 Emergency Phone Numbers 4 Tour Permits 5 Fishing Licenses 5 Fees 5 Refund Policy 5 Your Voyageur Guide 5 At the Waterfront and on the water 5 Meals-Cooking Equipment 6 Shakedown 6 Trail Manners 6 Trading Post 6 Transportation/Put-Ins & Pick-Ups 6 Emergency Pick Up 6 Recognition and Advancement 6 Adirondack Trek Achievement Program 6 Equipment Return, Loss or Damage 7 Departure 7 Extending Your Adventure 7 2
Introduction The Adirondacks in Northern New York State is one of the largest wilderness areas (six million acres) in the United States. It is rich in history and legend. The Adirondacks were once famous as the waterways of the Voyageurs, whose birch bark canoes carried explorers, traders and trappers deep in the wilderness. The Adirondack High Adventure Trek program operates within this wilderness and covers hundreds of miles of rivers, lakes and hiking trails to offer extensive trekking opportunities. Going on a trek puts into practice, in a real experience, all the outdoor skills learned in the Boy Scouts or on your own. An Adirondack Trek provides the opportunity to gain a true wilderness camping experience. This booklet is designed to help groups and trip leaders prepare for their trek. Camping, hiking, backpacking or canoeing in the Adirondacks: If you carry it in, carry it out DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) sign found at many trailheads and campsites. TAKE only photographs and LEAVE only footprints. NO TRACE CAMPING BSA Wilderness Camping Policy. One of the main practices in wilderness camping in the Adirondacks that is strongly encouraged by the Voyageurs is low impact camping. It is done at a level that challenges the participants while at the same time allows them to enjoy and appreciate the wilderness that surrounds them. There are certain things to be considered when planning an Adirondack Wilderness Trek. The following will help you prepare: Leadership Group Size Equipment Two adults are required on every trip, one of who must be at least 21 years of age. (The Voyageur can be the second adult.) For most treks 11 is the maximum size (there are 5 treks with a maximum limit of 7); any more than these limits are too harsh on the environment. More than 11 (or 7 depending on the trek) is also against DEC regulations for camping in many areas. If your group size is larger, a second Voyageur will be added and the group will be split. See enclosed list. Pre-Trek Preparation and Conditioning: The Adirondack Treks (for one week) all vary considerably in mileage from the pond hopping itineraries to long routes of over 70 miles. Some may not seem over exerting, but if it s raining and you re paddling or hiking into the wind, it suddenly becomes tougher. The leader should be aware of the general condition and abilities of the participants. Things to Consider: (for Scouts and leaders) Medical Conditions Endurance (especially for backpacking) Physical Strength (for carrying canoes and backpacks) Swimming Abilities Canoeing Abilities (for canoe trips) All Trek participants must meet the height/weight restrictions outlined in Part C of the BSA Annual Health and Medical Record. A participant does not need to be in the same physical condition as an olympic hopeful but knowing the limits of the group and participants in advance will allow the trip to go smoother. A shakedown weekend trip in your home area is a good way to make everyone aware of the kinds of physical demands that will be expected for the summer trip and it gives the leader a good idea of the participant s abilities. It can also be a time to familiarize the group with the kind of equipment they ll be using. All participants should be very familiar with their own equipment and any new equipment should be used prior to the summer trek to familiarize the owner with it. An important note on hiking boots: hiking boots should be well broken in before the summer trek (especially for a backpacking trek). Slowly increasing the amount of time the wearer has the boot on over a period of weeks will prepare the foot and the boot for long distance hiking. If problems arise, work with a backpacking shop to help you get the boot fitting properly. DON T bring a brand new, unworn pair of hiking boots on a trek. A couple of special notes: High Peaks treks have a lot of up and down and very little level ground hiking. Endurance is something to be considered for these treks. 3
Canoe trekkers must pass a BSA canoe test as well as a swimmer s test (100 yards) Adirondack Weather and the Remoteness of the Wilderness Summer in the Adirondacks can see hot sunny days in the 90 s and clear, starry nights that can have an early morning frost. Those are extremes, but a trekker in the Adirondacks must be prepared for anything. Generally, though, July and August will see temperatures in the 60 s, 70 s and 80 s and it s share of both sun and rain. Strong thunderstorms are a common occurrence and when trekking in the Adirondacks, all these weather conditions should be considered. Weather can cause base camp programs to be altered, postponed or even cancelled. (Example: rain would cancel climbing & rappelling.) The remoteness of the Adirondack wilderness is one of its most attractive qualities. Sitting on a mountain peak or on a lakeshore and watching the sunrise, knowing you are miles from civilization and the only way out is to hike or canoe refreshes the soul. However, there are certain inherent risks involved in physically removing yourself from civilization. To even contemplate removing those risks would bring you right back to civilization and totally eliminate the magnificent feeling you have in the Adirondack wilderness; thus, communications are limited while on the trail. However, the Voyageur guide knows, at all times, the quickest access to get help in the event of an emergency. Group Equipment Although the base camp will loan most equipment to you, you need to provide the following items: 1. First Aid Kit (needed while you travel to and from the Adirondacks) 2. Equipment (packs and clothing) repair kit 3. About 10 feet of ¼ rope per person (nylon preferred) 4. Cooking gloves or pliers (optional) See additional list enclosed. See the personal equipment list enclosed Personal Equipment Religious Services Because you are on the trail all week, you should plan your own religious service and arrange in advance to secure special dispensation for Catholic participants. Developing Your Program You are participating in a packaged trek program using the program resources of the Massawepie Scout camps. Your Voyageur guide will be knowledgeable of possible variations and make arrangements for alternatives. If variations require special equipment or assistance from camp staff personnel, extra costs may be assessed; therefore, it would be helpful to know what alternatives are desired before your arrival at camp. These should be discussed with Doug Turner, Trek Director, prior to your arrival at base camp. His home phone number is 607-637-2434. Medical Forms Each member of your group will be required to have a medical examination by the participant s family physician. The BSA Medical Form is enclosed and must be completed in its entirety with the parent s authorization signed. Participants who do not have necessary forms completed will not be allowed to go on the trek. All Trek participants must meet the height/weight restrictions outlined in Part C of the BSA Annual Health and Medical Record. The health services of our base camp will be available to your group including a medical re-check at your arrival. The New York State Health Department requires the immunization record on the health form. This may be obtained from the school nurse s office or physician. Emergency Telephone Numbers Trek Office (Summer) 518-359-9550 Massawepie Scout Camps Office (Summer): 518-359-2281 Fax Line: 518-359-2007 4
These phones should be used for emergencies only. By the time your message is sent to the group on trail and a reply returned to you, over 24 hours may have elapsed. Out of Council Units must provide a copy of unit roster printed from my.scouting.org or requested from your Scout service center Fishing Licenses Persons over the age of 16 will need a New York State resident or non-resident fishing license. These may be purchased locally at sporting goods stores, etc. One week, out-of-state licenses are available. Fees Full fees, are due in the Rochester office, 2320 Brighton Henrieatta TL Rochester NY 14623 by JUNE 1. Please make checks payable to Boy Scouts of America. Fees not paid by this date will be increased to $25 per person extra, per week, no exceptions. A stay over fee of $25 per person/per day will be charged if your group has requested to arrive a day early or depart a day later. This covers breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight stay per day. Please make these arrangements prior to the start of your trek with Doug Turner. Refund Policy The $300 registration deposit per trek group is non-refundable after March 15 th. After June 1 st, the per person trek fee is non-refundable on individual cancellations. Your Voyageur Guide A Voyageur will meet you at your arrival base. Our Voyageurs meet all of New York State s requirements for guiding your group on the trail. These qualifications include: 1. The 2 nd adult required for a trek group. 2. Certified for American Red Cross Standard First Aid, CPR, and Responding to Emergencies. 3. Certified Lifeguard BSA or ARC Advance Lifesaving. 4. Knowledge of the area through which you will be trekking, including knowledge of forest rangers and emergency resources. 5. National Camp School graduates. Your Voyageur will accompany your group from arrival to departure and will arrange for the food, equipment and program services to be provided to you by Massawepie Scout Camps. Your Voyageur will help you as a leader in every way possible, but will not assume your responsibility as a trek leader. Consider the Voyageur as your Commissioner or adviser. All are trained to meet emergencies, represent the best interests of the BSA, and interpret the environment as you travel. Their suggestions are usually well conceived and should be heeded. Arrival Orientation Your first few hours will be spent becoming familiar with your itinerary for the week and to acquaint your Voyageur with the abilities of each member of your group. The Health Officer at base camp will promptly conduct a medical recheck and you will be given a swim check. You may conduct a pre-camp swim test (see form in packet), which will eliminate the step of the swim check. For all treks your Voyageur will review the equipment checklist. After packing personal gear and group gear, food will be packed. A short shakedown trip will help spot any gear that needs attention. Stayovers (earlier than expected or later than planned at camp) should be arranged through the Adirondack Trek Director in advance. Don t pop in a day or two earlier than scheduled. The base camp will not be able to accommodate you without advance notice. At the Waterfront and on the Water Here your Voyageur reviews basic canoeing strokes. Each member of your trek practices these strokes and demonstrates their canoeing know-how. Where desirable, your Voyageur may make recommendations regarding the pairing of canoe partners. Each participant must swim 100 yards without tiring. Life jackets are required to be worn at all times 5
when on the water New York State Law. You will adhere to the procedures of the Safe Swim Defense Plan and Safety Afloat. Meals Cooking Equipment While at Massawepie Scout Camps you may be patrol cooking or partaking in the dining hall depending on dining hall space availability. On the trail you will use freeze-dried and dehydrated foods. A standard Scout patrol cook kit and chef s kit will be issued to your trek group. You will need to bring your own personal eating utensils Shakedown Storage of Excess Personal Gear Vehicles Your Voyageur will conduct a personal equipment shakedown before hitting the trail. Equipment that is not needed on the trail should be locked in your vehicle. If you are not leaving vehicles at the base, alternative arrangements will be made for the storage of this equipment. We will also make arrangements with your Voyageur to move your car to your departure location, if you intend to use your own vehicle in the Adirondack Park and you park it at one of the trailhead parking areas. Unfortunately, even in the wilderness, the risk of break-in exists. Smoking: Knives: Littering: Drinking: Trail Manners Scouts are not permitted to smoke or chew tobacco. Scouts are not permitted to carry sheath knives or hand axes. Scouts and leaders must observe the practices of NO TRACE camping while on trail. Please review the Wilderness Use Policy enclosed. No alcoholic beverages are permitted. Trading Post Base camp has a well-stocked trading post, which includes souvenir items as well as sundries, candy, ice cream and soft drinks. $60.00 per Scout is suggested spending money. Put-Ins and Pick Ups Transportation for either canoes or individuals will be provided once your trek begins. Your trek has been planned to keep the cost at a minimum. Should you desire to change your itinerary in a way that requires additional transportation for either your canoes or your group, you will be charged for the additional cost. Emergency Pick Up The health and safety of each member of your group is foremost. There will be no charge for a pick up due to weather conditions or for health purposes. Recognition and Advancement Procedures An attractive embroidered Trek patch will be presented to each participant at the completion of the group s trek. The trek is planned to provide each member of your group an experience with a wide range of adventure activities. Each experience will be of sufficient length and depth to provide for qualification (or partial completion) of related merit badges camping, cooking, hiking, backpacking, canoeing, wilderness survival and fishing. Participants may qualify for the 50 Miler Award and snorkeling, BSA. However, the achievement of requirements is totally the responsibility of the group, neither the Voyageurs nor the Massawepie Trek program itself. Adirondack Trek Achievement Program You may wish to work on the requirements for the Adirondack Adventurer, Climber, Paddler, Windjammer or Mountaineer while on your trek. Please review scorecard (enclosed). You will be awarded a Voyageur Certificate upon completion of these Adirondack Challenges. This program has become very popular with our trekkers. 6
Return of Equipment Lost or Damaged Equipment You are expected to return all equipment loaned to you in a clean, satisfactory condition. You must be prepared to purchase any lost or damaged equipment. So, take care of it as if it were your own ; and return it better than or in the same condition as it was taken out. Departure Your Voyageur can be helpful with your return trip home. Arrangements can be made for a bag lunch and advice regarding places to visit in the Adirondacks enroute home. Extend Your Adventure By taking advantage of some of the many things New York State has to offer. Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake W.I.L.D Center in Tupper Lake High Peaks Keene, Keene Valley, St. Huberts, Jay, Lake Placid Olympic Sites Lake Placid Whiteface Mountain Wilmington Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame If coming from the east, visit the Albany-Saratoga Area on your way to the Adirondack High Adventure Trek Program or include a daylong stop on your return trip home. If coming from the south, visit the New York City area. If coming from the west, visit Niagara Falls. For further information any requests for New York State tourism information should be sent to the division of Tourism, One Commerce Plaza, Albany, NY 12245. For general New York State tourism information call toll free 1-800-225-5697 from Virginia north and from Michigan east. From everywhere else call 518-474-4116 or visit their web site at www.iloveny.com For information about attractions and events in New York City, write to the New York City Convention and Visitors Bureau (NYCC&VB) 2 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019 or call 212-397-8200. The above web site will also link to NYC. 7