Planning your Trip

Click image to open/download packing list

Backpacking Equipment

 

Also needed are Water Filters (we recommend MSR or Katadyn)

 

 

Emergency Phone Number

If there is a home emergency while your crew is attending NLHA please contact us at 907.452.1976.

  

How Do We Stay in Touch with Friends and Family?

Remember that you will be embarking on a wilderness trek. Crews are strongly encouraged to leave connections to the technical world on base when out on the trail. Cell phones are discouraged while in the wilderness, however we do not hold a policy that prohibits them coming on trek. NLHA is also not responsible for any damage or loss of  any devices.

Northern Lights High Adventure provides a reliable means of emergency communication to each crew. Each Trek Leader is issued a Garmin Inreach device for satellite tracking and communication. Proper coordination with the Director before you arrive can insure that he forwards your location and the track to your family or friends back home.  

Due to the remote location of the base, we cannot guarantee any cell phone coverage. Similarly, the base does not have any internet connectivity available to crews.

This makes the necessity of completing all E-Certifications ahead of time and bringing paper documentation IMPERATIVE.

If there is an emergency at home while you’re on the trail, Northern Lights High Adventure may be called at 907.452.1976 and we will get the message to you as soon as we are able. Please note that this may mean we will not be able to get the message to you until after you get off of your trek. 

 

What if there is an Emergency while on the Trail?

Before we discuss emergency communications, it is important to note that Northern Lights High Adventure treks are true High Adventure experiences and your crew will be in a vast wilderness area. Northern Lights High Adventure does NOT maintain regular communication with our crews as it is not necessary and is a drain on resources. If an emergency does happen while on the trail, your Trek Leader should immediately contact the base and our management team will work with the Trek Leader and Crew to figure out the best possible solution. 

All Northern Lights High Adventure crews are issued a Satellite Phone and a spot device. Your Trek Leader is trained in the operation of these devices and will in turn train your crew. Unless otherwise incapacitated, your Trek Leader is solely responsible for any communication with the base.

Northern Lights High Adventure has an amazing safety record and we rarely have to evacuate someone. When we do have to make that decision, please realize that evacuations can take several hours and potentially multiple days as our primary method of evacuation is by canoe or foot. While float planes are a possibility to some locations, the use of them is considered high-risk and therefore they are only used for exceptional emergencies. Also, please note that float planes are not always an immediate option. Even in cases where it is determined a float plane must be utilized it may still be several hours before the evacuation can occur depending on weather and time of day. This why it is absolutely imperative that every crew have an advisor certified in Wilderness First Aid, CPR, Weather Hazards, Safety Afloat and Safe Swim Defense.

 

PARENT/ LEGAL GUARDIAN NOTIFICATION IN THE CASE OF ILLNESS OR INJURY

The adult crew advisors are responsible for communicating to parents any notification of illness or injury while attending the Northern Lights High Adventure programs. There will be times when an emergency happens in the wilderness and the adult advisor won’t be able to communicate with the parents. In this case the Camp Director or the person operating on his behalf will contact the parent. The Camp Director or the person operating on his behalf will:

➢ Contact the parent or legal guardian, noted as the emergency contact, on the participant’s medical form. It will be noted on the incident report form with time, date and person spoken

➢ A representative from the crew’s home Council will be notified with time, date and person spoken.

➢ If the person is transported by air, a copy of the medical form will be delivered to the hospital for parent contact or be given to EMS by a Base staff member.

➢ All information will be given on an as needed basis to keep participant confidentiality.  

 

 

What is Medical Service Like in the Area?

The nearest major hospitals are in Fairbanks and Anchorage. These facilities do accept most major insurances and offer all major services. 
 

 click image to open/download the Canoeing/Kayaking Trek Equipment List

Canoeing Equipment

 Also needed are Water Filters (we recommend MSR or Katadyn)

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What are the Fees to Attend?

The fee is given by trip with a maximum number of participants for each crew. Additional participants will require additional crews. All trips are 7 days unless your troop or crew decide to customize the trek by adding any of the enhancements mentioned below.  
If you bring fewer than the maximum number of participants, we will decrease the cost by $150.00/person under the maximum to allow for fewer meals. All other costs are fixed regardless of the number of participants. 

 

 

 
It is to your advantage to recruit to the maximum amount of people to lower the cost per person.
 All locations and trek details are subject to change due to weather and land use permitting.

 

How Do I Pay for My NLHA Trip?

We can take credit card (visa, master cars, discover, and American express) payments over the phone during normal office hours or we can take a check.
 
Please make checks out to the Midnight Sun Council BSA.
 
Please send payments to:
Northern Lights High Adventure
Attn: Payment
1400 Gillam Way
Fairbanks, AK 99701
 

About

The premier Alaskan High Adventure outdoor experience for scouts. Backpacking, hiking, canoeing, fishing and more!

Thank you for your interest in the programs of the Northern Lights High Adventure Base. The Midnight Sun Council, Boy Scouts of America, based in Fairbanks, Alaska, operates the Base.

The mission of the Base is to provide a remote outdoor experience to youth and adults within the Scouting program.

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Category: FAQs

Ready to plan Trip. How do I make a reservation?

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The first step to planning your Northern Lights High Adventure Expedition is to answer the following questions:
1) Which trek do we want to attend? See pg. 7 for more information on the treks.
2) What day do we want to arrive? Arrival dates are flexible on a first come, first serve basis.
3) How long of a trip do we want? From 3 days to 3 weeks we have an option for you!
4) How many crews will we need? Some trips are restricted in size due to land use permits. See fee section for more details.
Once you have answered all of the above questions, contact NLHA to make your reservation. After reserving your trip, you will have 3 weeks to turn in your $330 deposit per crew (note: if making reservation after January 1, we require a $1,100 deposit per crew).

 

What are the Requirements to Attend NLHA?

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Each Crew must have:
➢ A minimum of two adults (one of which must be at least 21 years of age and registered with the BSA). There are no gender restrictions for leadership except for co-ed Exploring post or Venturing crews, which must have both male and female leadership 21 years old or older.
➢ 1 adult leader trained in the following:
o Wilderness First Aid (16 hour course)
o CPR
o Weather Hazards
o Safe Swim Defense
o Safety Afloat
➢ All adult leaders must be trained in Youth Protection

All participants:
➢ Must be 14 years of age or have completed 8th Grade upon arrival at NLHA
➢ Must weigh 100 LBS and no more than 295 LBS- more information on pg. 20
➢ Must have a current (within 12 months) and complete BSA Health and Medical Record
➢ Must be classified as a BSA swimmer*
➢ Must be a registered Boy Scout, Explorer or Venturer
*Swim Checks will be done at Lost Lake Camp by our Life Guards in order to verify that participants are able to swim in Alaskan waters.

Category: Resources

Trail Programs and Policies-part 6

Youth Protection Policy and Abuse

Boy Scouts of America’s Youth Protection Policies must be adhered to. No one-on-one activities between youth and adults are allowed. The BSA two deep leader policies must be followed. No youth and adults are allowed in the same tents (except family members). Physical, sexual or emotional abuse (including hazing) of a camper by his or her peers or by an adult leader is unacceptable anywhere. Reporting of abuse is the law. The local, county, state or provincial authorities as well as the BSA Council representatives will be contacted if abuse is suspected.

birch creek

Forest Fires

Our forests are a beautiful and valuable heritage. If you spot a fire or think you have, report it to your Trek Leader, who will report it to the base director by radio or phone. Your crew should not attempt to fight wildfires and should quickly leave the area. Because of the wilderness status, some of the areas which have naturally occurring fires may be left to burn naturally. Other man-caused fires may be extinguished. Trained fire fighters will monitor or extinguish the fires accordingly.

 

Trail Programs and Policies-part 5

Tobacco

The use of tobacco is never permitted within the line of sight of youth. No smoking is permitted in any NLHA building or vehicle. Each base has a single established tobacco use area.

Alcohol and Drugs

Possession or use of alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs or misuse of prescribed drugs is prohibited. Groups or individuals found in violation of this national policy of the Boy Scouts of America will be sent home immediately, as arranged with the council office or parent.smoking rifle

Firearms and Fireworks

Shooting firearms are not allowed at Northern Lights High Adventure. Do not bring firearms or archery equipment with you. Fireworks are a safety hazard and are prohibited by NLHA. Leave them at home.

 

 

 

Backpacking Trek Equipment List

Click image to open/download packing list

Backpacking Equipment

 

Also needed are Water Filters (we recommend MSR or Katadyn)

Reservations Category

Email Subscription

A: 1400 Gillam Way, Fairbanks, AK 99701

T: (907) 452-1976

E: phil.burkett@scouting.org

W: alaskahighadventure.com

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