About Us

The Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association (SAA) is a non-profit charitable Minnesota Corporation [501(c)(3)].

Purpose

Objectives

1. to preserve and promote wilderness camping, high adventure, and training opportunities or other primary objectives of the Northern Tier High Adventure Program that might be authorized by the Northern Tier National High Adventure Committee;
2. to bring relevant needs and suggested programs to the attention of the Northern Tier National High Adventure Committee;
3. to offer the time, talents and assets of the corporation’s membership to the Charles L. Sommers National High Adventure Base and the Northern Tier National High Adventure Programs, and to the local councils of the Boy Scouts of America; and
4. to spread the spirit of “the far northland” throughout scouting.
   

What has the SAA done for the Northern Tier programs?

• Construction and maintenance projects including restoration of the historic Lodge building.
• Provides assistance with staff training.
• Published A Diamond in the North: A History of Scout Adventure in the North Country by Gene Felton.
• Together with the Northern Tier Advisory Committee, the SAA has awarded $204,000 in scholarships to seasonal staff since 1998.
• Provide incentives for seasonal staff retention:
  • Gift certificate to Northern Tier trading post to buy equipment to do their jobs better to first-year staff.
  • Custom XY-brand paddle to second-year staff.
  • Custom embroidered Kondos-brand guide pack to third-year staff.
  • Variety of artwork to fourth-year or greater staff.