Adventure Scale

The Adventure Scale gives you an idea of the physical level of difficulty for any Adventure.

• Adventure Level 1 

  • Easy outings ideal for newer scouts 

  • Open to everyone looking for a relaxing event

• Adventure Level 2 

  • Moderate outings geared toward more adventurous scouts

  • Recommended age: 12+ 

• Adventure Level 3 

  • Strenuous outings that will test the endurance of fit scouts

  • High Adventure

  • Recommended age: 13+

• Adventure Level 4 

  • Extremely Strenuous adventures reserved for high endurance individuals looking to test their limits

Technical Scale

The Technical Scale is used for activities that require special training or special skills

• Technical Level 1 

  • No special skills required 

• Technical Level 2 

  • Basic skill required - like riding a bike or novice swimmer

• Technical Level 3 

  • Special training required - Such as how to self rescue from a watercraft

• Technical Level 4 

  • Advanced training required - such as SCUBA or whitewater training 

Adventure Level 1 Outings

We try to conduct a Level 1 Outing each month.  This allows all Scouts to enjoy an Outdoor Activity and new Scouts to work on developing their Scout Skills.

Level 1 Outings may include:

• Site Camping - aka Car Camping

• Shorter Hikes - max 5 miles and generally flatter hikes

• Easy Bike Rides on paved trails

• Swimming in shallow areas with a lifeguard

• Short Canoeing on a lake with the option to boat with an adult

• Shorter Snowshoeing trips

• Fishing

• Supervised Shooting Sports

Adventure Level 2 Outings

We try to conduct a Level 2 or higher Outing each month.  This allows experienced and more adventurous Scouts to enjoy the Outdoors without getting bored.

Level 2 Outings may include:

• Longer Hikes - around 5-10 miles and/or hikes with more elevation gain

• Bike Rides that cover up to 30 miles

• BikePacking on moderate trails 

• Mountain Biking

• Backpacking Trips

• Canoeing greater than 4 hours

• Canoeing on moving water

• CanoePacking on a lake

• Wall Climbing 

• Snowshoeing trips

• Snow camping in tents

• Special Shooting events less suitable for smaller or younger scouts

• Local Summer Camp

Adventure Level 3 Outings

Level 3 outings often require a fair amount of endurance and strength.  Scouts will need to demonstrate their ability beforehand to participate on these types of outings.  These generally include the Big Summer Adventures - 50 milers.  But is also includes Winter Adventure Skills training and other High Adventure. 

Level 3 Outings may include:

• Strenuous Hikes - greater than 10-20 miles, generally with a lot of elevation gain

• Longer Backpacking trips and cover a lot of mileage - 50 milers 

• Bike Rides that cover 50 miles or more

• BikePacking long distance or on single track trails  

• Mountain Biking that covers a lot of mileage - 22 miles

• Canoeing up to Class II rapids

• CanoeingPakcing on moving water

• Rock Climbing and rappelling 

• Longer Snowshoeing trips

• Snow camping in snow shelters 

• Special Summer Camps and High Adventure Camps

Adventure Level 4 Outings

There are Extreme Level Outings.  Scouts will need to prove their ability to participate and may only attend with Scoutmaster AND Trip Leader approval.

Level 4 Outings may include:

• Very Strenuous Hikes - greater than 20 miles and with a lot of elevation gain

• Long Backpacking trips greater than 50 miles with a lot of elevation gain

• Long Bike Rides that cover 100 or more road miles or very only trail adventures 

• Long BikePacking trips that cover extreme distances 

• Whitewater - requires special supervision and training 

• CanoeingPacking on moving water beyond Level 3

• Very Long Snowshoeing trips

• Snow camping in snow shelters requiring long distance or high elevation gain travel 

Hiking and Backpacking Difficulty Ratings

These are rough guidelines for hiking and backpacking.  The leader will also need to take into account trail factors, extra gear carried, elevation and other factors. 

Hiking Difficulty Rating 

Adventure Level 1: Up to 5 miles round trip, with up to 1,200 feet of elevation gain.

Adventure Level 2: Up to 10 miles round trip, with 1,200-2,500 feet of elevation gain.

Adventure Level 3: Up to 15 mile round trip, with 2,500-3,500 feet of elevation gain.

Adventure Level 4: Over 15 miles round trip and/or more than 3,500 feet of elevation gain.

Backpacking Difficulty Rating 

Adventure Level 2: Up to 10 miles per day with less than 1500 feet of elevation gain

Adventure Level 3: Up to 15 miles per day, with 1500-2500 feet of elevation gain

Adventure Level 4: Up to 20 miles per day, with 2500-3500 feet of elevation gain

Pace

Casual: Average pace under 1 mile per hour, with no technical challenges or specific skills required.

Easy: Average pace of 1-1.5 miles per hour, with no technical challenges or specific skills required.

Moderate: Average pace of 1.5-2 miles per hour OR some route challenges (rough trail, log crossings, steep terrain) OR an easy route with an overnight pack.

Challenging: Average pace of greater than 2 miles per hour OR significant route challenges or specific skills required (fixed ropes, very rugged terrain, steep scree descents, snow or ice crossings, carrying water to a dry camp) OR a moderate route with an overnight pack.

Biking and Bikepacking Difficulty Ratings

Biking Difficulty Rating 

Adventure Level 1: Up to 10 miles round trip with less than 1500 feet of elevation gain

Adventure Level 2: Up to 30 miles round trip with less than 1500 feet of elevation gain

Adventure Level 3: Up to 50 miles round trip, with 1500-2500 feet of elevation gain

Adventure Level 4: Up to 100 miles round trip, with 2500-3500 feet of elevation gain

Bikepacking difficulty is determined by distance and elevation gain per day

Adventure Level 2: Up to 30 miles per day with less than 1500 feet of elevation gain

Adventure Level 3: Up to 50 miles per day, with 1500-2500 feet of elevation gain

Adventure Level 4: More than 50 miles per day, with 2500-3500 feet of elevation gain

Canoeing and Canoepacking Difficulty Ratings

Canoeing Difficulty Rating 

Adventure Level 1: Flat water fun

Adventure Level 2: Flat or slow moving water 4-6 hours

Adventure Level 3: Flat or moving water (max Class II) max 7 hours or 20 miles

Adventure Level 4: More challenging waters up to Class III (with special training)

Canoepacking

Adventure Level 2: Flat water

Adventure Level 3: Extended distances, slower moving water or portages 

Adventure Level 4: Canoepacking with up to Class II rivers or with extensive portages 

Pace (Moving Speed)

Easy: 1.5 MPH

Moderate: 3 mph

Snowshoeing and Snowcamping Difficulty Ratings

Snowshoeing Difficulty Rating 

Adventure Level 1: Easy mostly flat snow parks

Adventure Level 2: Moderate distance and elevation gain

Adventure Level 3: Strenuous and/or technical trek

Adventure Level 4: Significant distance or technical trek

Snowcamping 

Adventure Level 2: Short distance to campsite - tents with optional shelters

Adventure Level 3: Moderate distance to campsite or building of snow shelters

Adventure Level 4: Extensive distance with or without snow shelters