Northern Tier 2024

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Northern Tier is the premier Scouts BSA experience for canoeing and winter camping and paddling in North Americas Canoe Country is a time like no other. With lakes stretching as far as the eye can see, all connected through a large web of waterways, Scouts can travel effortlessly across them in specially designed tripping canoes. Completing short portages between waterways brings scouts from lake to lake as they explore the vast biodiversity of the Northern Boreal Forest unique to Northern Minnesota and Canada.

Age requirements?

Northern Tier participants must be age 14, or age 13 AND have completed the 8th grade by the time of arrival at Northern Tier

Height and weight requirements:

No participant in any program may fall below 100 pounds. No participant in any program may fall above 295 pounds. Participants who fall within the recommended weight limits are much more likely to have an enjoyable trek and avoid incurring injuries and health risks.

Why are the weight limits what they are?

Extra weight puts strain on the back, joints and feet. The portage trails can be very muddy, slippery and rocky presenting a great potential for tripping and falling. Extremely small participants will have a very difficult time carrying canoes and heavy packs. A canoe’s load is another important reason to limit participant weight. Northern Tier assigns three people to a canoe. The total participant load per canoe must not exceed 600 pounds, averaging 200 pounds per participant.

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Troop 98 is organizing a trip to the Northern Tier National High Adventure Base this coming summer.  Here is a proposed schedule:

• Leave Philadelphia for Minneapolis on July 25th, 2024

• Arrive in Minneapolis and take train to a Base Camp.

Day 1

Afternoon arrival at Minneapolis St. Paul Airport.

Board the light rail train ride to Base Camp! The train leaves from the airport and arrives within a 10

minute walk of Base Camp.

Arrive at Base Camp located in the century old Cavalry Drill Hall near Fort Snelling! Base Camp is an experiential indoor education program offering a unique environment for visitors. If you arrive early in the day, your guide will accompany the group on a bike ride to Minnehaha Falls state park, a day hike in Ft. Snelling, or a trip on the light rail to Mall of America.

You have an all day pass for the light rail so there are lots of options!

Dinner at Base Camp. Pizza, Pizza! 🍕

After dinner, the real fun starts! Enjoy indoor climbing, archery, and high ropes course! There is also a 20 foot screen and projector to enjoy an evening movie! Your group will get to “camp out” inside Base Camp. The facility is modernized and

climate controlled with ample bathroom and shower space. Every person will get a cot. Luxury “camping”!

What a night!

Day 2 – Transport to Ely, MN

Breakfast -- A Scout is Hungry!

Depart Base Camp for Northern Tier in Ely, MN.

Eat lunch en route at the world famous Gordy’s Hi-Hat! Gordy’s delicious

hamburgers were recently featured on the Food Network!

We will arrive at Northern Tier by 2:00 PM so you can begin your adventure! This is the recommended arrival time at Northern Tier

Next five nights on the water. - if your planned trip stays in the US there would be no need for passports.

Departure

When you arrive back to base, dinner shower and spend the night.

Bus picks up at base and back to Minneapolis

I am suggesting spending the night in Minneapolis and time at the Mall of America

Fly out the next day and back to Philadelphia and arrive at a decent hour.

Anticipated cost: $2450 - Payment schedule (How to Pay Troop 98):

• $100 deposit due with initial signup

• $600 First payment due by Sep 15th, 2023

• $600 Second payment due by Dec 1, 2023

• $600 Third payment due by Feb 1, 2024

• $550 Fourth payment due by Apr 1, 2024