From Kansas City to the snowy wilds of Minnesota, local Scouts brave subzero temperatures to experience High Adventure at its coolest. This January, our council equipped and sent two brave crews to the Northern Tier's Okpik Winter Adventure.
Okpik is Scouting’s premier winter camping program where Scouts experience a true Northwoods winter. Outfitted with cold weather gear and expert guides called interpreters, Scouts learn how to thrive in freezing conditions and trek across a frozen wilderness of lakes taking in the arctic beauty of nature along the way.
This is the first time our council has facilitated a winter trip to the Northern Tier. All participants attended through our Scoutreach initiative and were able to participate at very little cost to them or their families thanks to local donors and the Northern Tier Scholarship Program. Due to our council's success with the traditional summer program at Northern Tier the past eight years, we were the first and only council in the nation to be offered a Scoutreach winter adventure.
A total of 22 Scouts and leaders from 13 Heart of America Council troops combined to form one all-male crew and one all-female crew. After months of rigorous training and preparation including a pre-trek cold weather campout, the crews made their way north to the frigid backcountry. Whether it was outdoor or cabin camping, crews challenged themselves every step along the way and it wasn’t always easy.
“It was amazing to watch the young ladies grow and come together as a group to overcome obstacles. This was very challenging and no one can be truly prepared for how cold the weather could be. I loved seeing the girls faces when they tried something new and they all had big smiles at some point.” -Kellie | Girls Crew Leader
To live and experience the winter environment is both dynamic and challenging at the same time. The risks in these subzero temperatures require mental agility and test teamwork along the way.
"I learned how to handle not only myself, but my crew and even the adults. I feel as though I have really grown as a leader." -Alexis | Girls Crew Leader
"I did not know anyone at the beginning of this experience, but near the end everyone was my friend. It taught me new and useful skills that I will use my entire life." -Gabe | Boys Crew
Living and learning in the outdoors, Scouts got to experience adventure most will never get the chance to. Activities included snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, curling, broom hockey, ice skating and even dog sledding.
"This experience means so much to me and I would've never gotten to do things like this." -Max | Boys Crew
“I loved everything about it here and found it very challenging in a good way." -Bree | Girls Crew
Thank you to our volunteer 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 our Northern Tier Ambassador Dan Hughes at dlh5400@aol.com or 816.560.9582.