2026 – 2027 Trek Interest Form

Troop 5 / Crew 5 Families: It’s time for us to begin planning adventure treks for Summer 2026 and Summer 2027! Help us pick the treks by expressing your interest in the options below by April 15, 2025.

Join us on Monday, March 31 at 7:30 pm at the church for a special parent information session to learn more.

Note: We currently have at least one adult willing to lead each of the treks below. If none of these appeal to your scout, there are other options we could consider in the future, such as home-grown treks (e.g., a Maine bike trek) and other high adventure treks offered through Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan (learn more here). We are also looking for additional parents to join us on these adventures.

Trek Options

2026

Sea Base Scuba Diving Adventure with Troop 3

Dates: June 7 – 15, 2026 (7 days and 6 nights at Sea Base + 2 travel days)

Restrictions: All youth must be at least 13 years old. All participants must get scuba-certified before the trek. Sea Base has very strict medical requirements. Please see the medical section of the Participation Guide and/or the Presentation (slides 15-24). Medical conditions that are or may be limiting include asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, and multiple regular medications.

Learn about Scouting America’s Sea Base

Porcupine Mountains Backpacking Trek

Description: This 5-day backpacking trek in the Porcupine Mountains State Wilderness Park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is organized through Northeast Illinois Council’s Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation in northern Wisconsin. Towering pines, firs, and birches along the shores of Lake Superior provide the setting for trails that lead to secluded lakes, wild rivers, hills, and waterfalls.

Dates: mid-July 2026

Restrictions: All youth must be at least 13 years old, or at least 12 years old AND completed grade 7.

Learn more about Scouting America’s Porcupine Mountains Backpacking Trek

2027

Philmont Backpacking Trek

Description: Located in northern New Mexico, Philmont is the premier high adventure backpacking destination for Scouting America and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for scouts. It is in high demand and requires advance planning. Troop 5 organizes this trek every other year.

Dates: TBD

Restrictions: A youth must be 14 years of age OR 13 years of age and completed the 8th grade by date of participation. Adults participating as expedition advisers must be physically capable of hiking and camping in Philmont’s high mountains for the length of the expedition. Individuals with chronic medical conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, asthma, etc) should consult this page.

Learn more about Scouting America’s Philmont Backpacking Trek

Philmont Cavalcade

Description: Philmont Cavalcades are similar to regular expeditions except that, instead of hiking, crews ride horses through the rugged mountain wilderness like the famous trappers who first explored the West.

Dates: TBD

Restrictions: A youth must be 14 years of age OR 13 years of age and completed the 8th grade by date of participation. For the safety of the rider and the horse, there is a 200-pound weight limit for all riders. No exceptions given. See the max height and weight chart for additional information.  Individuals with chronic medical conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, asthma, etc) should consult this page.