ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility for all participants (youth and adult):

1. Must be a registered Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Venture Scout, Sea Scout, or adult leader.

2. Must be 13 years old before their trek begins. Age requirements for Swamp Base cannot be relaxed. Please do not request or expect exceptions. All youth participants are required to present proof of age before participating in the program. Appropriate ID includes ONE of the following:

   • School photo ID

   • Copy of a birth certificate

   • Passport

   • Valid government-issued ID

   • Those individuals who do not meet the minimum age requirements or do not present appropriate ID will be sent home, no exceptions. Help prevent a tragedy by adhering to the age policy and by bringing proper proof of age.

3. Must pass the BSA Swim Test before arrival as either a "Swimmer" or "Beginner." Those determined as "Learners" will not be able to participate.

4. Must be in good health evidenced by a BSA Annual Health and Medical Record filled out and signed by your doctor within the past 12 months.

5. MUST MEET THE HEIGHT/WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS FOR HIGH ADVENTURE PARTICIPATION. THE MAXIMUM WEIGHT FOR A PARTICIPANT IS 295 POUNDS. Participants weighing in excess of 295 pounds may be sent home at their own expense.

6. Must know and use the Scout Oath and Law as their guide to appropriate behavior during their trek.
    

Adult Requirements:

1. All registered adults must have completed the BSA Youth Protection Training or Venturing Youth Protection Training.

2. Each trek crew must have at least one adult currently trained in CPR, First Aid, Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, and Weather Hazards. All adults need not be trained and the training may be shared among the adults, except all registered adults must have Youth Protection Training.
    

Trek Crew Requirements:

1. Exceptions to these requirements will not be made.

2. In keeping with the policies of Scouting America, requirements for acceptance and participation in Swamp Base are without regard for race, color, creed, sexual orientation or national origin.

3. All crew members must be registered members of a chartered unit, a Scouts, BSA Troop with proper leadership, a Venture Crew, or Family Troop with proper leadership.

4. At least half of the members in every Swamp Base crew must be youth.

5. All trek crews participating in Swamp Base must have at least two adult leaders over the age of 21.

6. If the Swamp Base crew is co-ed, you must have co-ed leadership.

7. If you have more than one trek crew attending, each trek crew must have at least two adult leaders with proper leadership.

8. There must be a registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over in every unit serving females. A registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over must be present for any activity involving female youth.

9. Scouting's Barriers to Abuse require buddy pairs to be single gender. At least 2 youth members of each gender must be present in each Swamp Base crew to meet requirements for buddy pairs. (For example, one female youth may not participate. A second youth female is required to serve as a buddy.)

10. Linked male and female crews: Each participating Troop must have a minimum of 2 adult leaders age 21+ attending in the crew. For example, this is a total of 4 adult leaders age 21+ years old for a Swamp Base crew composed of 1 female Troop and 1 male Troop that are linked.

11. At least one adult leader must be trained in First Aid and CPR from any recognized agency.
     

Trek Crew Requirements:

1. All registered adults must have completed the Scouting America Youth Protection Training or Venturing Youth Protection Training.

2.  Each trek crew must have at least one adult currently trained in CPR, First Aid, Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, and Weather Hazards. All adults need not be trained, and the training may be shared among the adults, EXCEPT all registered adults MUST provide proof of having Youth Protection training.
    

NOTE: The required medical history and evaluation do not always screen out participants for our high adventure program. For example, individuals who are obese will not function well in a canoe. Getting in and out of the water is extremely difficult, and the sleeping quarters are small. Individuals with physical disabilities may be able to enjoy our programs if the disabilities are known and necessary precautions are taken. Further, individuals with respiratory or heart problems must discuss with their doctors the challenges of strenuous activity.

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IMPORTANT: If you have more than one trek crew attending, each trek crew must have at least two adult leaders. Adult leaders must meet the requirements for co-ed leadership.