Solo Scouts

Traveling independently from a scout troop?

 

  • Scouts enjoy a break for lunch in the sun on a remote cove along the Chilkat Inlet Scouts enjoy a break for lunch in the sun on a remote cove along the Chilkat Inlet
  • Summit Day - Scouts climb up hardpacked annual snow on their way to the top! Summit Day - Scouts climb up hardpacked annual snow on their way to the top!
  • Exciting rapids await on the Blanchard River Exciting rapids await on the Blanchard River
     

 

The Solo Scout program is intended for scouts and parents who want to attend the high adventure camp, but aren’t travelling as part of a troop. This 9 day program offers several exciting activities designed to show scouts many different aspects of the Alaskan wilderness. Scouts will interact with other travelers from across the country. This is an excellent opportunity to form new friendships as we embark on a series of exciting adventures! 

*Note — parental participation is encouraged but not required. Parents who are unable to join the adventure will need to complete a minor permission to travel form and ensure their child’s travel details are secured.  Please be sure your child’s travel arrangements are in close coordination with the trip schedule. Chilkoot High Adventure Base is unable to supervise youths during transit to Haines, prior to the start of their trip, or after the trip concludes.

Itinerary

Day 0:Arrive Haines

The Chilkoot High Adventure Base is situated in Haines, a small coastal community in Southeast Alaska. Getting here typically involves commercial flights to Juneau, followed by a commuter flight via Alaska Seaplanes or taking the slower yet scenic Alaska State Ferry.

The base camp is approximately 5 miles outside town and surrounded by temperate rainforest, glacier views and fjords. It is the ideal spot from which to adventure into the Alaska wilderness.

Day 1 – 3: Sea Kayaking

Leaving base camp in them morning we’ll take a short drive to the beach which we’ll launch sea kayaks from. Guides will go over kayaking equipment and safety on the water before helping get the scouts into their boats. We’ll spend a little time at the start of the first day going over paddling technique and ensuring scouts have the foundation kayaking skills. We’ll spend the next few days exploring the coves, pristine waters, and coastal trails around the Haines Peninsula. The area is full of vibrant flora and fauna, scouts often spot otters, seals, porpoises, eagles, and whales from the kayaks! We’ll enjoy relaxing evenings along the coastal camps and maybe even a campfire in the inter-tidal zone if weather permits. The group will return to base camp on the third day to gear up for the next adventure!

Day 4: Whitewater Rafting

We’ll drive north into Canada to experience rafting on the Blanchard River. After donning wetsuits and life jackets, our experienced guides offer instruction on paddling and river safety.  After a safety briefing we’ll get on the river for a day of adventure!  The Blanchard River starts with a series of gentle drops that give paddlers time to practice before the Blanchard converges with the Tatshenshini. The latter half of the river is a little more exciting offering fun waves and holes to splash through. At the end of the day we’ll return to the base camp in Haines.

Day 5 – 9: Backpacking

We’ll leave base camp in the morning bound for the alpine tundra of Canada! The backpacking along the Chuck Creek Trail affords scouts opportunities to take in the breathtaking scenery. Tall mountains and a vast glacial landscape set the backdrop as we trek through gravelly river beds and through the bushes and wildflowers found in the tundra. There are some fun scrambles up nearby peaks that can add to the excitement and offer great scenic vistas. We’ll return to town by 3:00PM on the final day – We can drop off scouts to their parents (if parents did not join us for the adventure) anywhere in Haines. Scouts and their families can plan on departing Haines on Day 9 — departure time should not be scheduled prior to 5:00PM on the final day of the trip.

Email us at info@alaskascoutingadventures.org or call our office at 1.800.766.3396 to learn more about dates & availability!

 

What about the parents? 

 

Parents are welcome to join their scout on the adventure, alternatively many parents have enjoyed a week out and about travelling independently from the Solo Scouts program.

Our sister companies Alaska Mountain Guides and Chilkat Guides offer several day trips around Haines and Skagway. For more information visit our site at www.skagwayexcursion.com