The Northern Tier High Adventure Base, a network of bases for wilderness canoeing and camping experiences across the northern United States and Canada, has officially become the 42nd accredited Scout Centres of Excellence for Nature, Environment, and Sustainability (SCENES).
This recognition, granted by World Scouting, is awarded to centres that have made a long-term commitment to protect the environment and promote greater environmental understanding. Northern Tier’s accreditation highlights its commitment to sustainability, environmental education, and outdoor leadership.
Located in northern Minnesota, northwest Ontario, and northeast Manitoba, the Northern Tier gives Scouts the opportunity to explore millions of acres of pristine lakes, rivers, forests, and wetlands. Programmes challenge young people to develop leadership, teamwork, and responsible outdoor skills, guided by staff trained in low-impact camping, natural history, and ecology. This helps participants learn how to travel and live responsibly in the places they explore.
Northern Tier joins Scouting America’s other National High Adventure Bases - Philmont Scout Ranch, Florida Sea Base, and Summit Bechtel Reserve - as officially accredited SCENES Centres.
Each demonstrates how adventure and environmental stewardship go hand in hand:
- Philmont Scout Ranch (New Mexico) focuses on conservation and sustainable land management through extensive backpacking and restoration programmes.
- Florida Sea Base (Florida) integrates marine ecology and ocean conservation into its sailing, diving, and aquatic adventures.
- The Summit Bechtel Reserve (West Virginia) promotes sustainability through the use of renewable energy, habitat protection, and eco-conscious adventure programmes.
The SCENES framework is built on three guiding principles: connecting with nature; providing environmental education; and practising environmental management. These principles encourage Scout Centres to model environmental responsibility, offer hands-on learning experiences, and inspire young people to care for and protect the planet.
Together, these four National High Adventure Bases demonstrate Scouting’s global commitment to sustainability, ensuring that future generations can continue to explore and preserve the natural world.