Also needed are Water Filters (we recommend MSR or Katadyn)
Emergency Phone NumberIf there is a home emergency while your crew is attending NLHA please contact us at 907.452.1976. |
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.
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.
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.
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.
click image to open/download the Canoeing/Kayaking Trek Equipment List
Also needed are Water Filters (we recommend MSR or Katadyn)
All locations and trek details are subject to change due to weather and land use permitting. |
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.
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).
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.
All swimming and water activities must be done in accordance with the BSA Safe Swim Defense policy. In addition, water shoes, a lifejacket and a swimsuit or shorts must be worn by all swimmers at all times.
Diving is prohibited at the NLHA per the BSA Safe Swim Defense policy. Therefore, all entry into the water must be feet first or by wading into the water. Jumping feet first into the water is allowed from rocks or ledges no
greater than 40 inches above the surface of the water and if the water is clear and the depth of the water is at least 7 feet deep. Persons should not jump into water from heights higher than they are tall, and should jump only into water chest deep or greater with minimal risk from contact with the bottom.
No elevated entry is permitted where a person must clear any obstacle, including land. Lifejackets must be worn at all times.
Jumping into the water from any height greater than 40 inches above the surface of the water is prohibited.
Rock throwing is prohibited.
There will be no solo canoeing. There must be a minimum of two canoes at all times with 2 canoeists in each canoe.
You must wear boots or shoes in all wilderness trail campsites, while canoeing, swimming, fishing, etc. Bare feet and under-protected feet are a major cause of foot injuries.
A: 1400 Gillam Way, Fairbanks, AK 99701
T: (907) 452-1976