Not every scout has the opportunity to visit Northern Tier with their troop or crew. That is why we offer our individual programs to give scouts those opportunities.
Individual Scouts can attend a Northern Tier High Adventure Trek by registering for:
- a specific individual program (see details below)
- connect with other crews as a provisional scout
The programs are designed to bring individuals from throughout the BSA together for a great Northern Tier experience. Northern Tier will provide the appropriate adult leadership for all crews within these programs. Scouts are responsible to find their own transportation to and from Northern Tier. A shuttle from the Minneapolis Airport is available at an extra fee.
Provisional Scout Connections
If you are a crew looking for individuals to join you or you are an individual looking to join an existing crew, the link below will take you to a ‘bulletin board’ where you can browse posts made by others. If none of those posts meet your needs, you can create your own post for others to see.
Remote Dog Sledding Trek for Individuals
The Remote Dogsled Trek is intended for those who have some dog sledding or winter camping experience. It involves taking 18 Alaskan Huskies out on the ice for two nights! After setting up a base camp, crews will explore the pristine and remote Superior National Forest on morning and afternoon runs of up to 10 miles. Participants should be prepared to run, hike, or snowshoe several miles in addition to dogsledding.
Session 1 (Female Only): Jan 5-8, 2024
Session 2 (Male Only): Jan 26-29, 2024
Session 3 (Male Only): Mar 1-4, 2024
Cost: $1500 per person – $750 due immediately upon registration, remaining balance due Nov 15, 2023.
There is an additional fee of $275 to take the shuttle from MSP to Northern Tier.
Holiday Stay Individual Programs
Holiday stay is our most popular Okpik program because of the accessible dates and this year we our offering it as an individual program!
Learn the basics of winter camping. Crews will pack their gear onto sleds (or “pulks”) and head out into the wilderness, spending their nights camping on the snow and ice. Scouts will learn how to set up a winter campsite, how to build snow shelters and how to cook meals at low temperatures. In addition, they will get to try out a full array of winter activities. Participants must be at least 14 years old or currently enrolled in 8th grade.
Session 1 – Dec 27 – 1 2024-25
Session 2 – Dec 29 – Jan 3 2024-25
Fee $1,030
Age: 14-20
Optional Shuttle from MSP airport for $300
Okpik Winter Fest Experience
This unique sessions will include both the coldweather camping experience, as well as a visit to Ely’s Winter Festival. You will get a chance to visit the snow sculptures in Whiteside Park, speak with the artists, and even work as a group to carve your own sculpture. In addition, they will get to try out a full array of winter activities available to Northern Tier crews
Okpik Winter Fest Experience
Feb 7-10 2025
Cost: $555 per person
There is an additional fee of $300 to take the shuttle from MSP to Northern Tier.
Okpik Cold Weather
Camping Weekends for Individuals
Session 1 – Jan 3 – 6 2025
Session 3 – Feb 26 – March 1 2025
Fee $500
Optional Shuttle from MSP airport for $300
Cold Weather Leader Training
Northern Tier is the site of the Boy Scouts of America’s National Cold Weather Camping Development Center. Our Cold Weather Leadership Training program combines an on-base seminar curriculum with a hands-on, on-ice training (including two nights on the trail).
This five-day course is a condensed version of the same curriculum we give to our staff. It is fun, informative and an excellent preparation for designing and leading your own troop and council level winter camping adventures. Minimum age is 18 by arrival at Northern Tier.
2025 Feb 6-11
Cost: $600 per person – $250 due immediately upon registration
There is an addition fee of $275 to take the shuttle from MSP to Northern Tier.
Kodiak
Kodiak is a BSA youth leadership opportunity centered around high adventure trekking. This exciting youth driven challenge gives participants the opportunity to advance their leadership skills through the outdoor adventure setting while completing a trek and overcoming obstacles as a group. This course takes place during Northern Tier’s Okpik season which adds an additional layer of challenge as participants will be completing this course while also learning about Winter camping at the BSA’s premier coldweather camping center.
This 5 day course is packed with activity that will leave scouts better prepared to lead their units back home.
2024 Date TBD
Cost: $500 per person – $250 due immediately upon registration, remaining balance due Nov 15, 2023.
Age: 16-20
There is an addition fee of $275 to take the shuttle from MSP to Northern Tier.
Women's Winter Weekend
Feb 24-27, 2023
The Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base is the site of the Boy Scouts of America’s National Cold Weather Camping Development Center. New this year, Northern Tier will be offering a women’s only cold weather camping experience. Join us for a fun, relaxing weekend learning about winter camping in the Northwoods while enjoying the company of other Scouting women. Led by an all-female team, you will have the chance to participate in a weekend full of winter camping activities, including ice fishing, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, shelter building and more! Enjoy everything the wilderness has to offer on this outdoor adventure!
This program is open to all female Scouter’s with one trek for adults and one for youth
All Northern Tier winter trips are fully outfitted and provisioned, including almost all the personal gear necessary to stay warm in the winter. A highly trained staff member, called an Interpreter, will accompany you at all times on this adventure.
Okpik Cold Weather Camping, Northern Tier’s winter offering, is the BSA’s premier winter camping program. At Okpik, Scouts experience a true Northwoods winter: learning how to thrive in subzero temperatures, travel across frozen wilderness lakes and construct their own sleeping structures out of snow.
Participants will be able to choose between two program options:
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Cabin Stay: participants will be able to experience a full range of winter activities while still being able to enjoy a heated cabin at night. Crews will take day trips out to lakes in the area, learning how to ski, snowshoe and ice fish in the process. They will also learn how to cook breakfast and dinner meals in winter conditions.
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Cold Weather Camping: This program introduces camping in winter conditions. Participants will hike out to a wilderness lake, towing their gear in sleds (pulks), set up a campsite and spend two nights camping. In addition, they will be exposed to a wide variety of winter activities: snowshoeing, ice fishing and skiing.
Schedule:
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Friday Feb 24th: Arrival before 5:00 pm, Dinner, Outfitting and Orientation
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Saturday Feb 25th: Hit the Trail – lots of fun program
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Sunday Feb 26th: Another Day of program on the trail – both groups will meet up for a fun social activity out on the ice before returning to their separate locations for the evening.
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Monday Feb 27th: Return to base (camping crew), turn in gear, shower, closing lunch and depart for home
If you are planning to fly, please book flights to arrive at Minneapolis St. Paul Airport before 11:30 am on Friday Feb 24th. The shuttle (additional fee) will pick you up around noon and have you at Northern Tier by 5:00 pm. Please book your departing flight after 5:00 pm on Feb 27th. We will get you a sack lunch and have the shuttle on the road by 10:00 am.
Session 1: Feb. 24-27, 2023
Cost: $425 per person – $200 due immediately upon registration, remaining balance due 30 day prior to arrival.
Age: 14-20
There is an addition fee of $275 to take the shuttle from MSP to Northern Tier.
