Triple Crown Award

The Sommers Alumni Association in conjunction with the Boy Scouts of America have authorized the issuance of a special certificate and patch to honor those Scouts and Scouters who have participated in at least one program at each of the three National High Adventure Bases operated by the Boy Scouts of America. These Bases are Philmont Scout Ranch (including the Double H Ranch), Northern Tier High Adventure Bases (Ely, Atikokan, and Bissett), and the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base.

• Download the Triple Crown Award application [pdf]

Common Questions & Answers

High Adventure Base Stamps - I don't have one for Sea Base or for Northern Tier. Is this a problem?

The stamps provided by Philmont for your Triple Crown are not required on the application. Philmont is gracious enough to provide this as a courtesy for participants in its programs. Since there is no time limit during which you must attend all three High Adventure programs to earn the Triple Crown, you are not required to have a stamp from the respective BSA high adventure bases to apply. It is possible you attended one base as a youth in Scouts and the last one as an adult advisor to a crew. However, please provide as much information as possible to allow us to confirm your participation.

Don't Have all the Information Requested on the Application - What do I do?

Please provide as much information as possible. We will use what you have to evaluate the application and contact you for any additional information we may need.

Received Award but No Patch/Emblem - Can I get the patch?

If you applied with the application version issued in 2005 and paid the $9.00 application fee, you should receive the patch and certificate once approved. If you applied for the Triple Crown before the release of the patch, you paid $3.00 as the application fee and received a certificate once approved. We have maintained the records of all who applied before release of the patch. You can obtain a small patch by sending $6.00 plus a copy of your certificate and/or a copy of your congratulatory letter. We will research our database and send the small patch to you. You can also obtain as many of the large patches as you would like by sending $10 per large patch along with your information (a copy of your certificate and/or a copy of your congratulatory letter).Please send the above payment and request to the address on the application. We will respond within 6 to 8 weeks.

Delivery Time - How long does it take to receive my award and patch?

Please allow 8 weeks for your award and patches to arrive. Since the SAA is an all-volunteer organization, we have no paid staff to handle the review of award applications. We appreciate your support of the Triple Crown and the scholarships it funds. We endeavor to provide the approval of your application and mail the award and patch within 8 weeks of receipt or earlier.

More than 8 Weeks and No Award Received

Please send a copy of your canceled check to us along with the names of the applicants. We will research the matter and respond as rapidly as possible.

Eligible Programs

All summer, fall, and winter high adventure programs at each of the three national High Adventure bases qualifies. This includes any satellite bases and any former high adventure bases that are now closed. Examples include for Northern Tier attending Ely, Atikokan or Bissett in summer or winter as well as the now closed Maine and Wisconsin canoe bases.

The basic rule is that if you receive a participant emblem/patch from the High Adventure base during your program, it qualifies as your participation requirement for that BSA high adventure base. Programs hosted by the three bases and their satellites that do not qualify for earning a BSA high adventure participant award do not qualify as meeting the Triple Crown requirement. Examples include attending training such as Wood Badge or similar programs are not qualified.

How Many Times can I earn the Triple Crown

As of the date of this information, the Triple Crown can be earned only once. There is discussion of extending this to a recognition of those completing programs at all bases more than once. More on that as information develops.

How Many Patches/Emblems can I order - I would like two of the small Emblems for my uniforms

The small uniform size emblem is provided with the $9 application fee. This is limited to one per participant similar to the participant awards for each High Adventure base. You may order as many of the larger patch emblems as you like for use on backpacks, patch jackets, etc.

I finish my last of the three bases this summer. Can I pre-order?

We do not accept "pre-orders" for individuals or groups. Applications can be submitted only once the applicant completes programs at all three bases.

Rush Service - We have a court of honor or Eagle ceremony coming soon and need the awards for that event

First of all, congratulations to the Scouts who have earned merit badges for your court of honor. We also are thrilled to offer our congratulations of the new Eagle recipient. It is a substantial accomplishment.

However, we cannot accommodate requests for rush service. To assure all applicants receive an accurate and timely review of their application, we must decline requests rush service. We endeavor to review and approve (or return rejected) applications as quickly as possible. Please submit your requests at least 8 weeks before you will need the award to assure you receive the certificate and patch emblem timely.

Would like Additional Large Triple Crown Patches

As a Triple Crown recipient, you may order as many of the larger patches as you like. To place an order, please send $10.00 per large patch plus a copy of your certificate and/or a copy of your congratulatory letter. We will research our database and send the patch(es) to you as long as you are an award recipient. You can obtain as many of the large patches as you would like by sending $10 per large patch along with your information.

Please send the above payment and request to the address on the application. We will respond within 6 to 8 weeks.