High Adventure

Scouting offers four High Adventure bases with new challenges and new excitement. You’ll leave these properties with special memories of fun and accomplishment.

Sometimes our council will organize a contingent (Scouts or units from different parts of Central Texas who all attend an activity/trip as one group) to travel to and attend treks at these bases. In every case, your Scouts BSA Troop, Venturing Crew, or Sea Scouting Ship may organize and register for your own trek. You can learn more about either option using the Quick Links on this page.

The four High Adventure bases are:

Bechtel Reserve (“The Summit”)

More than 70,000 acres to explore in West Virginia’s New River Gorge National River Area. Enjoy whitewater rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking and plenty more. Permanent home of the Boy Scouts of America’s National Jamboree.

Florida Sea Base

Scouting’s ultimate aquatic experience. Sail to the Bahamas, go snorkeling or SCUBA diving, enjoy beach camping and more. Scouts can be certified in SCUBA at the base.

Northern Tier

From June to September, Northern Tier boasts the best wilderness canoeing in the world. Scouts go canoeing, hiking, fishing, and winter camping in and around Northern Minnesota and Southern Canada.

Philmont Scout Ranch

Located on more than 200 square miles of rugged New Mexico wilderness. Scouts can go backpacking, rock climbing and see views from peaks more than 10,000 feet tall.

This scholarship honors the late Scouter Britt Medford, an Eagle Scout who enjoyed the outdoors as a youth and later as an adult leader on his son’s high adventure treks to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and Northern Tier Wilderness Canoe Base in Minnesota/Manitoba/Ontario.

Scouts from the Capitol Area Council may apply for this scholarship to receive 75% of the cost of attending either Philmont or Northern Tier.

To apply, download and complete the application form, and then return to:

Medford Scholarship
Attn: Leigh Wyatt
12500 North IH 35
Austin, TX 78753