The following is a list of required paperwork, a selection of optional trip choices, and a wide variety of useful information. Please read very carefully.
Step 1: Financial Planning
- Payment Schedule
- Campership Application Scholarships are available for participants with financial need
- Make a RESERVATION Today!
Step 2: Park Selection, Permitting, and Border Crossing
- Selecting Your Park – U.S. or Canada?
- If you are planning a trip in the Quetico Provincial Park, you will need additional documents for international travel:
- RABC Permit Application
- Passport or Passport Card – All participants who visit Canada must have a Passport/Passport Card
- International Travel
- Parental Release Form
- When one signature is all you have.
Step 3: Canoe Rentals
Standard outfitting at Northern Tier includes Kevlar canoes (less than 50 pounds). For a discount of $30 per canoe per day, Aluminum canoes (75 pounds) can be rented.
- Lightweight Canoe reservations are handled through the online registration system. View your confirmation email for details or contact Northern Tier directly: [email protected] or 218.365.4811
Step 4: Preparing for Northern Tier
- 2019 Advisors Planning Guide Part 1 (All adults must read)
- Ely Specific Planning: 2018-2019 Advisors Planning Guide Part 2
- Gear List
- Food – Review the types of meals that your crew will carry on trail and fill out a Dietary Restriction Notification Form if necessary. Please complete this no later than 45 days prior to your arrival.
- 2019 Participant Handbook (All participants must read)
- Map to the Ely Base
- Transportation and Lodging Options
- Sites and Attractions
Step 5: Required Documents
The following documents must be absolutely complete upon arrival on base:
- Health and Medical Record
– Every participant must have an up-to-date “Health and Medical Record.” They must meet all health restrictions to be permitted to go on trail. - Swim Classification Form – Leaders and participants must complete
a swim test prior to arrival at a Northern Tier base. Each leader and participant must be rated a “Swimmer” using the BSA swim text. - Crew Roster – Must be submitted prior to arrival
- Wilderness First-Aid Training – At least one adult advisor must have proof (completion certificate) of BSA approved Wilderness First Aid training. Minimum WFA course length is 16-hours.
- CPR Training – At least one adult advisor must have proof (completion certificate) of CPR Training
- BSA E-certifications – At least one adult advisor must have proof of training (completion certificates) in each of the following BSA E certifications: Hazardous Weather, Safety Afloat, and Safe Swim Defense. All Adult Advisors must have proof of training in Youth Protection.
- Fishing Licenses – If your crew wants to fish you will need to purchase the appropriate license.
- Northern Tier recommends that all Fishing Licenses be purchased online in advance of your trip. If youth under the age of 16 (for fishing in Minnesota) or under the age of 18 (for fishing in Ontario) would like to fish, they can fish under the license of a single adult. However, their catch will be restricted to this adult’s limit.
- MINNESOTA FISHING LICENSES- All individuals, 16 years of age and older need to obtain a license to fish in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), licenses can be purchased in advanced over the phone by calling 1-888-665-4236, or online. For current pricing and license information visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
NOTE: A Social Security Number is required to obtain a Minnesota Fishing License. - Ontario Licenses- 18 years of age and older are required to have an Ontario fishing license. Scouts under the age of 18 can fish under a licensed adult. Licenses must be purchased prior to arrival. LEARN MORE
- Health and Medical Record
Step 6: Trip Planning Resources