This summer, a group of scouts from Troop 1916 will be taking a trip to the Northern Tier, the Boy Scouts of America’s oldest national High Adventure program. Our trip to the Northern Tier will involve 10 days of canoeing across some of northern Minnesota's biggest lakes at the border with Canada. I am one of the scouts going on this expedition into the great wilderness of about one million square acres in size.
To prepare for the trip, I have been focusing on two things: physical fitness and my emergency preparedness skills. Physical fitness is very important for canoing. I consider myself a healthy person, but like a lot of people, I need to build my upper body strength, which will help me paddle faster and for longer periods of time.
To strengthen my shoulders, arms, and back to paddle the canoes, I have started going to the local gym, where I work out on weight machines that focus on upper body strength. I try to make it to the gym three times a week—on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Doing the exercises is the easy part, and I’m increasing my number of reps every time I go.
But, sticking to the schedule is the hard part. Sometimes, I have to push myself to hit the gym three days a week and and do my workout program. I imagine that it will be much like the experience I’ll have canoeing across huge lakes and rivers in the Northern Tier.
On a High Adventure trip, I’m sure that almost anything can happen, so I’m also working on my emergency preparedness skills. Losing our supplies or finding a crack in the canoe are just two things that could mess up the trip. But, the worst thing that could happen is if a scout gets lost in the wilderness. I want to my best to make sure that this doesn’t happen, but I need to be ready just in case it does.
I have been reading online articles about what some of the dangers are in the Northern Tier and what kinds of tools to use in case of an emergency, like an emergency shelter if any scouts lose their tents. I am doing my best to prepare for these emergencies.
The High Adventure trip to the Northern Tier will be a hard experience for everyone. It could break us down and see who we are really are. The great beauty of the wilderness masks the hardships for those that venture into it.
The best thing to get ready for the Northern Tier is to follow the Boy Scout Motto: Be Prepared.
Aaron C. -- Life Scout, Troop 1916