For the past nine summers, the Northern Tier High Adventure Base in Ely, Minnesota, has been home to a life-changing expedition for local Scouts. Since 2017, the Heart of America Council's Northern Tier Scoutreach program has made the wilderness accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation.
Thanks to the generosity of local donors and the Northern Tier Scholarship program, our council was able to send 12 Scouts and 4 advisors on the adventure of a lifetime this year at little to no cost to them. From July 28 to August 5, two crews—one all-female and one all-male—braved the backcountry of Northern Minnesota and Canada, stepping off the grid to embrace the true spirit of Scouting. But this journey isn’t just about adventure; it’s about delivering on the “promise of Scouting” and the transformative impact on Scouts from "We Believe in You" to "I Believe in Me!"
“I learned so much about my crewmates, but I also learned a lot about myself. I can do difficult things and even if I’m not good at something now doesn’t mean I won’t be good at something eventually.” -Layla (Girls Crew)
“Northern Tier was the most humbling, exciting, aggravating, refreshing, dangerous, and beautiful trip I have ever been on. Northern Tier has changed how I will live forever.” -Connor (Boys Crew)
Scouts and leaders put their skills to the test daily, from problem-solving to portaging to cooking in the wild. Guided by a Northern Tier staff member, called an interpreter, and equipped with gear to trek across the rugged landscape, each crew worked as a team to overcome the natural obstacles of the Great North American Canoe Country.
“If I did not do this trip, I would not have found myself nor made all these friends. I felt heard and seen here. I’ve never had the chance to push myself to the max, but here I was able to do so much I didn’t know I could do.” -Ruthy (Girls Crew)
“I saw beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Nights full of stars, trees, wildlife, waterfalls and miles of lakes and rivers. This trip was a great, funny, and beautiful experience to have that I won’t ever forget.” -Cierdan | Boys Crew
But the experience was more than just canoeing and camping. Scouts also earned several awards including the 50-Miler Award, Historic Trails Award, Northern Tier Trail to Courage Award, Duty to God Award, Lake Monitoring Award, and the Canoeing Merit Badge. The trip not only built character but also resulted in tangible accomplishments that will last a lifetime.
“People say you can do anything you put your mind to and I’m really starting to understand that. You may not be the oldest or the strongest, but if you challenge yourself to do new and difficult things you will surprise yourself. I realized that there is so much more to me and my life than my struggles. You have to explore new things, discover yourself and live life to the fullest.” -Kieryn (Girls Crew)
Since 2017, 152 Scouts and 19 crews have been able to experience the life-changing adventures of Northern Tier through our council’s Scoutreach program. A special thank you to our leaders, donors and staff for making this life-changing trip possible. For more information, including eligibility and future inquiries for both summer and winter programs, contact the Heart of America Council's Northern Tier Ambassador Dan Hughes at dlh5400@aol.com or 816.560.9582.
