Extracted from Hike Aid 3, dated February 2025.

---

Introduction

Leadership by Scouts is a key premise of Scouting. This applies to outdoor activities in the same measure that it applies to the balance of the Scouting program. Developing this leadership should be a continuing process in a Unit.

A special program is offered by the GLAAC-HAT to help the Unit Leader in accomplishing this objective. This program is Junior Leaders Backpack Training. In addition, youth may attend Wilderness and Remote First Aid (age 14 and up), Wilderness Woman (females only) and Wilderness Woman for Men (males only).

This training is open only to registered Scouts. Each participant must have a medical examination, in compliance with National Council policy. He/she is responsible for obtaining the personal clothing and equipment which are required for the field experiences.

Specific information about dates, locations, fees, and reservations for this training is published in The Trail Head, Scouter's News, the GLAAC-HAT web site (https://glaac-hat.org/), and the Council's web site (https://greaterlascouting.org/). Enclosed is a calendar which shows the month in which each training course is typically offered.

Junior Leaders Backpack

Camping and hiking are fun. Developing the skills and learning safe and courteous practices are a necessary part of these activities. This most effectively occurs when it is the Scout leadership in the Unit which provides the instruction.

The objectives of this High Adventure training are:

• to acquaint Scouts, Venturers and their adult leaders with a basic understanding of how to plan and conduct a backpacking trip;
• to give them information that they can use to teach other Scouts and Venturers safe and effective outdoor outings; and,
• to stimulate their participation and leadership in a High Adventure Program.

While the emphasis of this training is on backpacking, it is generally applicable to all types of outdoor activity.

This High Adventure training consists of a Saturday seminar and a weekend field trip in the local mountains. This High Adventure training is designed to be taken together as an adult leader and the Scout leaders in a troop/crew.

The seminar is conducted as a series of demonstrations and discussions. This training provides an overview of the basics: basic backpacking skills; equipment and clothing; food and cooking; mountain navigation and travel; outdoor courtesy; planning and preparation; risk and safety; weather and climate - the necessities for safe and enjoyable outings. Emphasis is placed on the Scout leader's role and responsibilities.

The weekend field trip provides the opportunity to practice the skills and use the equipment which are discussed at the seminar. This trip will be a backpack of about 10 miles, round trip, with a 6 mile day hike to climb a local peak. Each person is responsible for providing their own equipment, clothing, and food.

Completion of this training is recognized by the award of a special patch.

Prerequisites:	Scouts and Venturers must: be at least 14 years old be a minimum of First Class or the Venturer equivalent be accompanied by an adult leader that has completed the class room session of Adult Leader Backpack Training.
	Note: An adult and a maximum of five Scouts or Venturers per Unit is permitted.

Fees: A nominal fee is charged.

Wilderness and Remote First Aid

Scouts at least age 14 can take Wilderness and Remote First Aid.

Wilderness and Remote First Aid (WRFA) is the assessment of and treatment given to an ill or injured person in a remote environment where definitive care by a physician and/or rapid transport is not readily available. This course goes far beyond what you may know as "first aid". While it contains substantial medical information and teaches skills required for medical emergencies in the wild, the deeper purpose is to train participants to manage acute situations.

Designed for youth and adult Scout leaders and anyone who works or spends time in remote environments, this course teaches advanced skills to be used in emergencies when help from professional first responders may be far away. Scouts and Scout leaders will likely find this the most valuable program they'll ever take.

WRFA is based on Scouting America's Wilderness First Aid Curriculum and Doctrine Guidelines (including Philmont and the other High Adventure Bases).

Completion of this training provides a two year certification through the American Red Cross or the Emergency Care and Safety Institute. Completion of this training is a requirement for earning the High Adventure Leader Award.

Prerequisites:

Participants must be at least 14 years old, hold current adult CPR/AED certification and online trainings in Weather Hazards, Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat.

Fees: A nominal fee is charged.

Wilderness Woman

This is a 4-hour course for women and girls of all ages in Scouting to help be comfortable and excited to enjoy trails and the outdoors. The intention of this course is to create more freedom amongst adults and Scouts to discuss personal issues; therefore, this is a single-gender-only course for women and girls. *

In this course, a group of women and girl Scouters lead a group discussion across a full range of topics, questions, challenges and experiences related to women and girls in the wilderness. We discuss everything from practicalities of group dynamics, YPT, leadership, invisible barriers, the nuts and bolts of going to the bathroom, hygiene, menstruation, leadership, Leave No Trace, what to pack, and what to leave behind. We provide a woman-centric perspective on planning, selecting and using gear for different circumstances.

Bring your questions, your curiosities, your worries, and your experiences. This is your chance to ask those things you might not know how to ask. We will trade experiences, and you'll head out with more ideas for your trips with your troop and family. No question too big, no question too small! Youth are welcome to attend with a related female adult.

Note:

This seminar is not intended to cover the full spectrum of backpack training. We recommend that female leaders attend the Adult Leaders Backpack Training course after Wilderness Woman.

Completion of this training is recognized by the award of a special patch.

Prerequisites:

Female-only. *

Fees: A nominal fee is charged. The fee covers a continental breakfast and course materials.

*	Exception to single-gender rule: Trans Scouts may attend whichever course they prefer. We ask nonbinary Scouts to attend the course that's correlated to their sex. Please reach out to the course leader to chat more about the differences in the courses if you have questions.

Wilderness Woman for Men

This is a 4-hour course for men and boys of all ages in Scouting to help be comfortable and excited to enjoy trails and the outdoors. The intention of this course is to create more freedom amongst adults and Scouts to discuss personal issues; therefore, this is a single-gender-only course for adult male Scouts. *

In this course, a group of women and girl Scouters lead a group discussion across a full range of topics, questions, challenges and experiences related to women and girls in the wilderness. We discuss everything from practicalities of mixed-gender group dynamics, YPT, leadership, and possible invisible barriers. We also go through the practical logistics of how we handle menstruation, going to the bathroom, and hygiene in the outdoors. We will cover nuts and bolts of menstrual supplies, urination devices, etc. so you can have an idea of what may be involved if you have a menstruating participant on a trip.

Bring your questions, your curiosities, your worries, and your experiences. This is your chance to ask those things you might not know how to ask. We will trade experiences, and you'll head out with more ideas for your trips with your troop and family. No question too big, no question too small!

Prerequisites:

Male-only. *

Fees: A nominal fee is charged. The fee covers course materials.

*	Exception to single-gender rule: Trans Scouts may attend whichever course they prefer. We ask nonbinary Scouts to attend the course that's correlated to their sex. Please reach out to the course leader to chat more about the differences in the courses if you have questions.