Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. News

2025 Director Election Results

Tressa Theis — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 14:52:58 GMT

Cortney Grosz, John McKinney, Shane Johnson, and Joe Mingrone have been elected to the Board of Directors by the active membership of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. Their term will be for three years and commenced on January 1, 2026. Congratulations to Cortney, John, Shane, and Joe!

2025 Annual Meeting of Members

Tressa Theis — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 20:14:00 GMT

The annual meeting of the active (voting) members of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. will be held in person on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 1:00PM CT in the Dietz conference room at the Northern Star Scouting Leadership Center located at 6202 Bloomington Road, Fort Snelling, MN 55111.

2025 Director Nominations

Tressa Theis — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 22:42:24 GMT

The Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc.'s Nominating Committee appointed by the Board of Directors has nominated the following individuals to be included on the ballot for election to the Board of Directors for a three-year term (2026 through 2028):

John McKinney
John McKinney was an Interpreter in Ely in 2012 and 2013, at Bissett in 2014, and served as Training Coordinator in 2015 and 2016. He became a Life Member in 2019 and returned in 2021 and 2022 as an Alumni Interpreter during peak season. John now works full-time as a Professor of Management and Human Resources at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; in addition to teaching, he consults in domestic and global HR. Before higher education, he worked in Human Resource Management, including in outdoor adventure tourism. He lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Shane Johnson
Shane Johnson worked at Northern Tier from 2006 to 2012—Trading Post staff (2006), Interpreter (2007–2009, 2011), and Assistant Chief Interpreter (2012). An Active Annual Member of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, he is a Procurement Specialist at Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico, supporting critical purchasing and contract functions.

Cortney Grosz
Cortney Grosz has been an active member of the Board of Directors since 2019 and leads the SAA staff support activities. He was an OA Voyage foreman in 1999 and 2000 and became a Life Member in 2008. An advocate for Northern Tier programs with a keen interest in canoe base history and memorabilia, Cortney also serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster for his son’s troop. He works as a Pharmacist for Northwest Texas Healthcare System and lives in Amarillo, Texas.

Joe Mingrone
Joe Mingrone has been an active member of the Board of Directors since 2020. He previously served as an Interpreter in 2010, 2012, 2013, and at Bissett in 2015. During those summers, he developed a lasting passion for photography, fishing, exploration, and cultivating meaningful outdoor experiences. Joe became a Life Member of the SAA in 2012 and has since returned as an alumni volunteer for both summer canoe and Okpik winter expedition treks. He works professionally in Sales and Marketing and holds an M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota.

Board of Directors Vacancy Filled

Tressa Theis — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 19:22:55 GMT

In accordance with the Bylaws Section 4.4 (Vacancies), the Board of Directors has elected Shane Johnson to fill the vacancy of the director position formerly held by Eric Peterson (Term expires December 31st, 2025) effective 1/5/2025. Congratulations to Shane on his election to the Board of Directors!

Shane Johnson is an Active Annual Member of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association and serves as a Procurement Specialist at Sandia National Labs in Los Alamos, NM.

2024 Director Election Results

Tressa Theis — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 22:22:07 GMT

Tressa Theis, Theodore “Ted” Weiland, Robert Breazeale, and Parker Prewit have been elected to the Board of Directors by the active membership of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. Their term will be for three years and commenced on January 1, 2025. Congratulations to Tressa, Ted, Robert, and Parker!

2024 Director Nominations

Tressa Theis — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 13:36:00 GMT

Tressa Theis – Tressa worked at the Ely base during the summers from 2013 to 2018, serving in roles including trading post staff and Director of First Impressions. She has been a lifelong Girl Scout and achieved her Gold Award in 2011. Tressa holds a master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Wisconsin River Falls. Currently, she works as a speech-language pathologist in Eagan, MN. Tressa resides in Inver Grove Heights, MN, and enjoys spending time outdoors, taking personal canoe trips in the BWCA, and sharing the beauty of nature with others.

Theodore “Ted” Weiland – Ted has been involved in scouting for over 30 years. He served on the Northern Tier staff for three summers and two winters. Ted's current scouting roles include serving on the national subcommittee for the Distinguished Conservation Service Award, acting as Logistics lead adviser for Gateway Region OA events, and holding positions as OA National Key Volunteer and Assistant District Commissioner.

Robert Breazeale - Robert Breazeale is an Active Life Member of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association. He resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with his wife, Robin, and their children, Adele (8) and Beau (6). He served as an Interpreter at the Northern Tier High Adventure base for three seasons (2005, 2006, and 2007). Rob is a senior Attorney with the Louisiana Department of Revenue (“LDR”), focusing on complex civil tax litigation and resolution, particularly sales/use tax controversies. He holds a Juris Doctor from Loyola University and a Bachelor of Arts from Southwestern University.

Parker Prewit – Parker served at Northern Tier from 2012 to 2015, holding roles such as Interpreter, Bay Post Team Member and Manager, and Atikokan Base Director. Currently residing in Hermantown, MN, Parker has built a career in Information Technology, bringing nearly a decade of experience in Enterprise IT. He believes his background and skills can make a meaningful contribution to the board and the wider Northern Tier community. Parker is enthusiastic about joining the Sommers Alumni Association Board, aiming to give back to the organization that has deeply influenced his life.

Membership may nominate Active Members to include on the ballot for the election to the Board of Directors. Send the nominee name along with a biographical resume and 10 supporting signatures from Active Members by September 15th, 2024 to the President using the Contact Us form on the website.

Bylaws Section 4.6 (3) Additional Nominations. After publication to the active membership of the Nominating Committee’s recommendations, the membership may have thirty days to submit additional nominations for inclusion on the ballot provided that these nominations are: (1) made in writing, (2) accompanied by a biographical resume, and (3) are supported by signatures of at least 10 active members of the Association. The thirty days to submit additional nominations must conclude by September 15. Additional nominations must be received by the President. Any additional nominee meeting the requirements of this section will be included on the ballot with those nominated by the Nominating Committee.

Updated Articles of Incorporation

Tressa Theis — Sat, 09 Dec 2023 18:51:05 GMT

The active membership of Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association has voted "Yes" to adopt the updated Articles of Incorporation. The Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. Board of Directors had recommended members vote ‘Yes’ for the update of the Articles of Incorporation to better position our association with current IRS regulations.

2023 Director Election Results

Tressa Theis — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 17:29:55 GMT

Ryan Tredinnick, Margaret Scheiner, Jonathan P. Floyd, and Brian Lux have been elected to the Board of Directors by the active membership of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. Their term will be for three years and commenced on January 1, 2024. Congratulations to Ryan, Margaret, Jonathan, and Brian!

Board of Directors Vacancies Filled

Tressa Theis — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 19:21:42 GMT

In accordance with the Bylaws Section 4.4 (Vacancies), the Board of Directors has elected Margaret Scheiner to fill the vacancy of the director position formerly held by Mike Joint (Term expires 2023) and Robert Breazeale to fill the vacancy of the director position formerly held by Dan "Vern" Miller (Term expires 2024) effective November 12, 2023. Congratulations to Robert and Margaret on their election to the Board of Directors.

Margaret Scheiner is an Active Life Member of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association. She currently serves as a Senior Program Manager at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education located in Knoxville, Tennessee. Margaret holds a bachelor’s degree in Materials Science Engineering from Cornell University and a PhD in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering from Florida State University. In the summer of 2011 and 2013, Margaret was employed at Northern Tier as an Interpreter and was highly regarded by many as an outstanding and dependable staff member.

Robert Breazeale is an Active Life Member of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association. Rob resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with his wife, Robin, and their children, Adele (7) and Beau (5). He served as an Interpreter at the Northern Tier High Adventure base for three seasons (2005, 2006, and 2007). Rob is a senior Attorney with the Louisiana Department of Revenue (“LDR”), where his practice focuses on complex civil tax litigation and resolution, with an emphasis on sales/use tax controversies. He holds a Juris Doctor from Loyola University and a Bachelor of Arts from Southwestern University.

From the Bylaws:

Section 4.4 Vacancies: Any vacancy occurring on the Board of Directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office at any meeting of the Board of Directors for which a special notice is given for that purpose. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall hold office for the remainder of the term of office specified for that position on the Board and until a qualified successor is elected and has accepted.

2023 Director Nominations

Eric Peterson — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 10:54:33 GMT

Ryan Tredinnick is a Business Systems Analyst at First Citizens Bank located in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Ryan has a Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting & Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Ryan is the proud father of twins which were born earlier this year. Ryan was employed at Northern Tier in 2012, 2013, and 2015. We are pleased to nominate Ryan Tredinnick as a candidate to be elected to the SAA Board of Directors starting in 2024.

Margaret Scheiner PhD is a Senior Program Manager at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education located in Knoxville, Tennessee. Margaret has a bachelor’s degree in Materials Science & Engineering from Cornell University. Margaret then went on to earn a PhD in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering from Florida State University. In the summer of 2011 and 2013, Margaret was employed at Northern Tier as an Interpreter. Margaret was considered by many as an outstanding and dependable staff member. We are pleased to nominate Margaret Scheiner as a candidate to be elected to the SAA Board of Directors starting in 2024.

Jonathan P. Floyd is an Associate in the Consumer Financial Services Group at Troutman Pepper located in Richmond, Virginia with a primary focus on financial services litigation. He represents clients in class actions and business disputes in both federal and state courts. Jonathan has a Bachelor of Science from Berry College and a Master of Education from Georgia College & State University. Jonathan went on to earn a Juris Doctorate from West Virginia University College of Law. Jonathan was employed at Northern Tier in the summer of 2001. We are pleased to nominate Jonathan Floyd as a candidate to be elected to the SAA Board of Directors starting in 2024.

Brian C Lux is the Vice President of Sales at SportChassis Holdings, Inc. located in Clinton, Oklahoma where he manages a team of sales and marketing professionals. SportChassis is an OEM vehicle manufacturer of an industry leading heavy-duty truck. Brian has a Bachelors of General Studies from Kent State University in Ohio. Brian lives in Mustang, Oklahoma with his wife Theresa, son Charles, and soon to be born daughter Margaret. Brian worked at Northern Tier during the summer of 2001. Brian is the current Vice President of the Sommers Alumni Association. We are pleased to renominate Brian Lux as a candidate to be elected to the SAA Board of Directors starting in 2024.

Membership may nominate Active Members to include on the ballot for the election to the Board of Directors. Send the nominee name along with a biographical resume and 10 supporting signatures from Active Members by September 15th, 2023 (the deadline has passed) to the President using the Contact Us form on the website.

The Reunion is Sold Out!

Sun, 09 Jul 2023 20:01:07 GMT

As of July 3rd, the reunion was completely sold out! There will be no walk-in registration for the reunion or dinners.

We are no longer accepting additions to our waitlist. This is due to the length of the list and that we do not expect more cancellations. There will be no walk-in registration.

There is no separate registration for the recognition dinner on Friday or the anniversary dinner on Saturday. We must have enough space at our venues for those attending the reunion. The event capacity is based on what we can comfortably and safety accommodate at one time in our event venues.

A reminder, during the reunion, the Base (Northern Tier) and other reunion activities are only for those registered for the reunion. We are not able to accommodate visits by those who are not registered for the reunion. Visitors will be asked to depart. See you in 2025!

Please contact us if you have questions about the reunion. Kindly refrain from contacting Northern Tier, as they are not organizing the event.

Last Chance to Register! 100th Anniversary Reunion - Claim Your Spot Now!

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 14:25:54 GMT

Sorry, the reunion is now sold out! There will be no walk-in registration for the reunion or dinners.

The response to our 100th Anniversary Reunion has been phenomenal, and we are excited to announce that we are now 95% full! The enthusiasm and support from our members have been truly remarkable.

Due to the overwhelming demand, we anticipate reaching capacity around July 4th. We want to make sure that everyone who wants to attend has the opportunity to do so. However, we are unable to add more space beyond our current arrangements. Therefore, we encourage you to register as soon as possible to secure your spot at this historic event.

To claim your spot and be a part of this momentous occasion, please visit holry.org/reunion and complete your registration. We don't want anyone to miss out on the incredible activities, camaraderie, and memories that will be shared during the reunion.

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm for the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. We look forward to celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Northern Tier program together!

Our book “The Far Northland” is now generally available!

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 23:07:43 GMT

We are excited to announce the general availability of our book “The Far Northland”!

The book is available in-person and online from the Northern Tier Trading Post. Order your copy at book.holry.org!

Join us for the Book Launch event of “The Far Northland”!

Sun, 07 May 2023 16:42:40 GMT

Join us for an event to launch our new book, “The Far Northland: A Century of Wilderness High Adventure at Northern Tier.” Author Dave Kenney will be speaking. The book will also be available for purchase.

Together we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Northern Tier National High Adventure program!

The event will be at Northern Star Scouting’s Leadership Center at Base Camp in Fort Snelling (Minneapolis–St. Paul) on the evening of Wednesday, May 31st.

RSVP for the event!

Volunteer Work Week Registration Closes on Thursday, May 11th

Sun, 07 May 2023 16:35:50 GMT

Join us for the annual Red Renner Memorial Work Week from May 13th to 21st! We invite all members to join us for just a day or a week of camaraderie and hard work as we maintain and beautify Northern Tier. You can register as late as Thursday May 11th to volunteer.

As a highlight of the event, we will have a dinner for volunteers at the end of the week. It is an opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones. So come out, roll up your sleeves, and make this year’s Work Week a huge success!

Sign up for Work Week!

Before arriving, remember to:

Complete the free “Youth Protection Training” before arriving (valid for two years). You do not need to be a member of the BSA. See this post for details.
You must also bring a completed “BSA Annual Health and Medical Record” form. If only volunteering for a weekend (less than 72 hours), you do not need a medical exam or doctor signature. See this post for details.

Red-eye!

We’re now over 50% full for the reunion!

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 20:28:25 GMT

Sorry, the reunion is now sold out! There will be no walk-in registration for the reunion or dinners.

Reunion registration to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Northern Tier High Adventure is now over 50% full! This was accomplished in just the first six weeks registration was open! If you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time, but don’t wait too long, as spots are filling up quickly.

The reunion will be from Thursday, August 24th to Sunday, August 27th, at the Charles L. Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base near Ely, Minnesota. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in outdoor activities, including hiking and canoeing, behind-the-scenes tours of The Base, and exploring Ely and Winton for museums and historical walks.

The reunion will feature a recognition dinner at the Sandy Bridges Program Center on Friday, where we will present the George D. Hedrick Volunteer Service Award. On Saturday will be our dinner where we will celebrate the 100th anniversary.

Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime celebration of the Northern Tier High Adventure program’s 100th anniversary. Join us for a weekend of adventure, fellowship, and memories!

Remember, there will be no walk-in registration. To register for the reunion, you need to be a member. Membership is open to anyone who wants to support Northern Tier. Learn more about joining here.

Register now to secure your spot.

2022 Director Election Results

Tressa Theis — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 02:52:37 GMT

Cortney Grosz, John McKinney, Joe Mingrone, and Eric Peterson have been elected to the Board of Directors by the active membership of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. Their term will be for three years and commenced on January 1, 2023. Congratulations to Cortney, John, Joe, and Eric!

2022 Director Nominations

Eric Peterson — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 22:31:38 GMT

Cortney Grosz Has been an active member of the Board of Directors since 2019 and leads the SAA staff support activities. Courtney was an Interpreter in 1999 and 2000. He joined the SAA as a life member in 2008 and has been an advocate for Northern Tier programming. Courtney is a Pharmacist at Northwest Texas Healthcare System and lives in Amarillo, Texas.

John McKinney Was an Interpreter in Ely 2012 & 2013, Bisset 2014, and Training Coordinator in 2015 & 2016. John became a life member in 2019 and has returned in 2021 & 2022 as an alumni Interpreter during peak season. John owns an HR consulting and staffing company, works as the head of HR for Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions, and is an Adjunct Professor for HR at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Joe Mingrone Has been an active member of the Board of Directors since 2019. Joe was an Interpreter in 2010 and 2012. He became a life member in 2012 and has returned as an alumni volunteer. Joe works in Sales and Marketing and lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Eric Peterson Has been an active member of the Board of Directors since 2013, currently serving as President and chairing the High Adventure Awards committee. Eric was an Interpreter in 1985, joined the SAA in 1996, became a life member in 2010 and has returned multiple times as an alumni Interpreter and volunteer. Eric is a Professional Engineer and Senior Director of Quality at ICU Medical and lives in Circle Pines, Minnesota.

Membership may nominate Active Members to include on the ballot for the election to the Board of Directors. Send the nominee name along with a biographical resume and 10 supporting signatures from Active Members by September 15th, 2022 to the President using the Contact Us form (the deadline has passed) on the website .

Additional Nominations. After publication to the active membership of the Nominating Committee’s recommendations, the membership may have thirty days to submit additional nominations for inclusion on the ballot provided that these nominations are: (1) made in writing, (2) accompanied by a biographical resume, and (3) are supported by signatures of at least 10 active members of the Association. The thirty days to submit additional nominations must conclude by September 15. Additional nominations must be received by the President. Any additional nominee meeting the requirements of this section will be included on the ballot with those nominated by the Nominating Committee.

Will you name the next book about Northern Tier?

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 03:51:03 GMT

This summer is the 100th season of the Northern Tier, and next summer is a celebration of the 100th anniversary. It also marks One Century of the Boy Scouts of America's National High Adventure programs!

A new book about Northern Tier is coming out! Since the program started in the 1920s, much has changed, and you have been part of its story. Because of this, we want your book title ideas!

Submit your ideas at https://bit.ly/3GwXmeQ

(Photo: Canoe Base published in 1967; A Diamond in the North published in 1998)

Volunteer for Canoecopia 2022!

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 18:29:26 GMT

After three years, Canoecopia, the world’s largest paddlesports exposition, is back! It’s three days of presentations by paddle sports experts, adventurers, and entertainers and great prices on gear for your next outdoor adventure. Once again, the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. will be staffing a booth for Northern Tier, and we need your help.

We’ll have a booth in the exhibitor area with brochures, videos, displays, and lots of giveaways for kids and adults. The booth is a great meeting place for you and other alumni. We’ll also have talking points to share with prospective participants and seasonal staff.

Location: Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Way, Madison, WI

Dates: Friday, March 11 – Sunday, March 13

Hours: 3-8 pm Friday; 9am-6pm Saturday; 10 am-5pm Sunday

Cost: $15 per day or $30 for the weekend. Discounted weekend tickets are available online for $26 until March 5th. Parking is $8 per day. The SAA may have a limited number of passes for the day you volunteer.

Event website: Canoecopia 2022

Where to stay: The closest popular hotels are Sheraton Madison, Hyatt Place, and Clarion Suites (connected to the convention center). There are many hotels conveniently located nearby in the downtown area. Less expensive options are available in Fitchburg and Middleton (about a 15 minutes drive).

What we need: Members to volunteer for a two-hours at the booth. As much as possible, we’ll try to have two people staffing the booth together (contingent on enough volunteers, of course.) When registering, you can let us know your preferences.

Who: Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. (SAA) members (when registering, use the email address associated with your membership or log in). Become a member on our website prior to registering.

2021 Director Election Results

Eric Peterson — Sat, 15 Jan 2022 22:12:20 GMT

Evan Hardy, Dan “Vern” Miller, Tressa Theis and Ted Weiland have been elected to the Board of Directors by the active membership of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. Their term will be for three years and commenced on January 1, 2022. Congratulations to Evan, Vern, Tressa and Ted!

2021 Director Nominations

Eric Peterson — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 16:54:17 GMT

The Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc.'s Nomination Committee appointed by the Board of Directors has nominated the following individuals to be included on the ballot for election to the Board of Directors for a three-year term (2022 to 2024):

Evan Hardy - A lifelong scouter and passionate about supporting the Northern Tier Scouting Experience. He has worked at all three Northern Tier bases over 5 seasons, primarily as an Interpreter, while also holding the role of Atikokan Bay Post Director. Evan currently lives in the Twin Cities with his wife Nora, who is also a former Northern Tier Interpreter of 5 seasons, and their daughter Michaela.

Dan “Vern” Miller - Worked at Northern Tier for 6 summer seasons on the OA Voyage program as a foreman and director and 4 Okpik seasons as an interpreter, musher, and director. He resides in northwest Arkansas with his wife Angela (Northern Tier alumni 2007-2010) and their 3 children. Vern currently serves as a Director and Vice-President of the Alumni Association.

Tressa Theis - Worked the summers of 2013 thru 2018 at the Ely base in the roles of trading post staff and Director of First Impressions. Tressa is a lifelong Girl Scout, and earned her Gold Award in 2011. She holds a master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Wisconsin River Falls and currently works as a speech-language pathologist in Eagan, MN. Tressa currently resides in Inver Grove Heights, MN and enjoys spending time outdoors, taking personal canoe trips in the BWCA, and sharing the beauty of nature with all people.

Ted Weiland - Involved in scouting for 30 plus years, he served on Northern Tier staff for 3 summers and 2 winters. Ted's current scouting positions include serving on the national subcommittee for the Distinguished Conservation Service Award, Logistics lead adviser for Central Region OA events, OA National Key Volunteer, and the Assistant District Commissioner.

Membership may nominate Active Members to include on the ballot for the election to the Board of Directors. Send the nominee name along with a biographical resume and 10 supporting signatures from Active Members by September 15th, 2021 to the President using the Contact Us form on the website.

Reunion & Banquet - Registration closes Sunday, August 1st! (No walk-ins this year.)

Sat, 31 Jul 2021 14:16:13 GMT

A friendly reminder that registration for the reunion and picnic, and banquet closes this Sunday!

This year we will be honored to host Dave Kenney as our keynote speaker at the Saturday night banquet. Dave is a noted author writing the forthcoming history book chronicling one century of the Northern Tier program!

We are humbled to announce Owen Gibbs, Karl Huemiller, Joe Mattson, and Craig Reichow will receive the George D. Hedrick Volunteer Service Award.

Be prepared, as we will not be offering walk-in registration for the reunion and picnic, or banquet. The last day to register is this Sunday, August 1st.

Register today at https://www.holry.org/event-3755842

See you at the next reunion in August 2023!

Keynote speaker announced for the reunion banquet

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 16:35:37 GMT

If you have not already signed up for the Reunion, it is not too late!

Dave recently authored “By The Shores of Many Point,” a book celebrating the 75th anniversary of Many Point Scout Reservation. He is a two-time winner of the Minnesota Book Award who has helped businesses, non-profits, and educational institutions tell their stories.

He will be an excellent highlight to our banquet program. As he researches the history for his next great book, he also wants to talk to you about your time “Up North.”

(In the image above, our president Eric Peterson discusses the history of Northern Tier with Dave Kenney in our recent video.)

See you at the next reunion in August 2023!

Ahead of past years, what is already over 40% full? It is the reunion!

Sun, 20 Jun 2021 19:16:31 GMT

It is getting warmer with summer approaching. It is time to start thinking about joining us this summer for our biennial reunion!

This year we will host the reunion at Northern Tier’s Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base from August 20th to 22nd.

Be sure to claim your spot soon! Registration closes August 1st, or once full. There will be no walk-in registration.

Learn more and register!

Not a member? You'll need to join the association as a member before registering.

Remembering Owen Gibbs

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 19:42:59 GMT

We must sadly report Owen Gibbs peacefully passed away in his sleep this Saturday at his hunting cabin. His obituary may be read here.

Owen was fondly known by generations of seasonal staff, having served on staff from 1967 to 1970 and 2009 to 2012. As a life member of the association, he also served on the board of directors.

The service will be held on Tuesday, March 23rd at 2:00pm (central). Due to COVID, it will be a private service for immediate family only. The service will be streamed live. You may join the livestream on Tuesday at https://vimeo.com/526174842

Cards to the family may be sent to Owen's daughter Erin Rydberg at 2421 Micarta Drive, Plano, TX 75025.

2020 Director Election Results

Eric Peterson — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 21:01:38 GMT

Brian Lux, Adam Long, Don Lee and Mike Joint have been elected to the Board of Directors by the active membership of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. Their term will be for three years and will commence on January 1, 2021. Congratulations to Brian, Adam, Don and Mike!

2020 Director Nominations

Eric Peterson — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 21:45:57 GMT

The deadline for this has past.

Brian Lux - A passionate lifelong scout and dedicated OA member, Brian continuously supports scouts in reaching their goals and creating a better tomorrow. Brian was an OA Voyage Foreman in 2001 and has served as a Director, Corporate secretary, and Executive committee member within the SAA. Brian enjoys spending time with his family in the outdoors and currently resides in Oklahoma.

Adam Long - An avid outdoorsman and adventurer. Adam enjoys spending time on the lake including water skiing, fishing, and the beauty of nature. Adam was an Interpreter out of the Ely base in 2015, Bissett in 2016 and currently serves as Treasurer for the SAA. He currently resides in Minneapolis, MN.

Don Lee - A lifelong dedicated scouter with a passion to instill positive and memorable life-changing experiences. Don has served over numerous seasons in countless positions within Northern Tier High Adventure and the Sommers Alumni Association. Don enjoys the sound of the wilderness and values the lessons learned in the outdoors. Don is committed to bringing the High Adventure program to its highest peak. Don currently resides between Ely, MN and Tennessee.

Mike Joint - A visionary, hardworking, and passionate lifelong scout. Mike has worked his way up the ranks at Northern Tier High Adventure and was most recently the Associate Director of program before going back to teaching at Vermilion Country School in Tower, MN. Mike is synonymous with instilling, creating, and providing the best experience for scouts along with its continuous improvement for generations to come.

Membership may nominate Active Members to include on the ballot for the election to the Board of Directors. Send the nominee name along with a biographical resume and 10 supporting signatures from Active Members by September 15th, 2020 to the President using the Contact Us form (The deadline for this has past.) on the website

Minor updates to nominee biographies made on Aug 31.

Current Staff: Academic Scholarship Deadline Extended to August 15th

Sat, 18 Jul 2020 00:55:32 GMT

Are you a second year seasonal staff member or later and in college? Then be sure to apply for an academic scholarship by the deadline of August 15th!

2019 Director Nominations

Karl Huemiller — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 04:14:26 GMT

The deadline for this has past.

Don Richard Has as been an active member of the Board of Directors serving on the High Adventure Committee. Was a Charlie Guide in '83, '84, '84, and '87.He now lives in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Eric Petersen Has been an active member of the Board of Director serving as Vice President and chair of the High Adventure committee. Eric was a Charlie Guide in 1985 and has returned to lead many trips as an alumni volunteer. Eric now lives in Circle Pines, Minnesota

Joe Mingrone Was a Charlie Guide in 2010 and 2012. He became a life member following his last year as staff and has returned as an alumni volunteer. Joe has also lead the effort to have a booth at the Midwest Mountaineering Expo. Joe now lives in Minneapolis, Minnnesota.

Courtney Grosz Was a Charlie Guide in 1999 and 2000. He became a life member in 2008 and has been an advocate for Northern Tier programming. Courtney now lives in Amarillo Texas.

Membership may nominate Active Members to include on the ballot for the election to the Board of Directors. Send the nominee name along with a biographical resume and 10 supporting signatures from Active Members by September 15th, 2019 to the President using the Contact Us form on the website (the deadline has past).

Additional Nominations. After publication to the active membership of the Nominating Committee’s recommendations, the membership may have thirty days to submit additional nominations for inclusion on the ballot provided that these nominations are: (1) made in writing, (2) accompanied by a biographical resume, and (3) are supported by signatures of at least 10 active members of the Association. The thirty days to submit additional nominations must conclude by September 15. Additional nominations must be received by the President. Any additional nominee meeting the requirements of this section will be included on the ballot with those nominated by the Nominating Committee.

Present to seasonal staff on “Seminar Day”!

Sat, 04 May 2019 19:01:48 GMT

Please see the Events calendar for information on upcoming events including Work Week and Seminar Day.
These events are canceled for 2020.

Looking to share your knowledge with over two-hundred staff? Each June during “work week” members of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. (SAA) donate their time by presenting seminars to seasonal staff.

During seminar day staff select topics they want to learn more about. Seminar topics range from core to more advanced topics and skills. Example topics include paddling, navigation, ecology, history, geology, and photography. Most sessions last an hour, with more complex topics lasting longer.

This year seminar day is on Tuesday, June 4 starting at 8 am. We will meet afterward on the waterfront to memorialize those who have crossed their last portage. In the evening we will gather for the SAA’s “Seasonal Staff Support and Recognition” program presentation. Each year the SAA provides staff with a gift to support them in their role and to recognize their years of service.

If you plan to arrive on Monday, June 3rd, you’ll be able to join us for our annual work week dinner and social.

Have something to share on seminar day? Please register soon to allow us to plan. Register to volunteer at https://holry.org/event-2964547

Important: New Requirements to Volunteer at Work Week

Thu, 21 Mar 2019 01:31:28 GMT

Are you considering volunteering at at Work Week this year?

This year there are a few new changes in the requirements to volunteer. Before arrival, you must have completed online “Safeguarding Youth Training”. You must also bring an “Annual Health and Medical Record” form. Contact us if you have questions about the requirements.

Youth Protection Training

You must have completed the Scouting America’s “Safeguarding Youth Training” within 12 months of your planned departure day from Northern Tier. Print and bring the certificate with you.

Take Youth Protection Training: You do not need to be a member of the Scouting America to take this training. If you do not have an account, click the "Create Account" button on the log-in screen. You can learn more about Youth Protection Training at www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection.

Annual Health and Medical Record

You can download the health form here. You may download the instructions handout here.

If staying less than 72 hours: You must bring a BSA Annual Health and Medical Record form with sections A and B completed by yourself. No physical exam is required.

If staying 72 hours or longer: You must bring a completed BSA Annual Health and Medical Record form (sections A, B, and C). A physical exam must be completed by a certified and licensed physician (MD, DO), nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. It must have been completed within 12 months of your departure date from work week.

We look forward to seeing you at work week.

Red-eye!

Join us on #GivingTuesday

Sun, 25 Nov 2018 02:06:03 GMT

#GivingTuesday is a day of giving observed on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

It kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.

On Tuesday, consider kicking off your charitable season by giving to the SAA. You can donate on the website or on Facebook (click the "Donate" button). If you donate on Facebook, we pay no credit card transaction fees and your donation may be matched!

2018 Director Nominations

Karl Huemiller — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 18:31:02 GMT

Elizabeth Vollmer-Buhl, lives in Eugene, OR. Worked as an interpreter 1997 to 1999 (summer and winter). Liz headed the Development committee administering Crossing Portages and other fundraising efforts.

Dan "Vern" Miller, lives in Elkins, AR. Worked from 2001 to 2010 as an OA Forman and Interpreter (summer and winter). Vern has headed the Service committee administering the scholarship, photo contest and staff recognition programs.

Kyle Ford, lives in Coeur D Alene, ID. Worked from 2003 to 2005 as an Interpreter and was assistant Chief interpreter in 2006.

Roger Dellinger, lives in Arvada, CO . Worked as an Interpreter in 1980 and 1981. Roger is currently the Charles L Sommers Alumni Association treasurer and leads the Finance Committee.

Additional Nominations. After publication to the active membership of the Nominating Committee’s recommendations, the membership may have thirty days to submit additional nominations for inclusion on the ballot provided that these nominations are: (1) made in writing, (2) accompanied by a biographical resume, and (3) are supported by signatures of at least 10 active members of the Association. The thirty days to submit additional nominations must conclude by September 15. Additional nominations must be received by the President. Any additional nominee meeting the requirements of this section will be included on the ballot with those nominated by the Nominating Committee.

(Please note the deadline for nominations has past.)

Reflections newsletter—Spring 2018

Thu, 03 May 2018 02:40:06 GMT

The spring edition of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association's Reflections newsletter is here!

Read the Reflection newsletter now »

In this issue:

Alumni Work Week: Join us to give back and have fun!
President’s canoe
Life of an Okpik Interpreter
Regional reunions
Calendar of events

How young at heart are you? Find out this June!

Thu, 03 May 2018 00:27:51 GMT

SAA members have the opportunity to volunteer as interpreters (non-paid) for crews arriving at the start of the season in June.

Volunteers should understand Northern Tier policies for staff and participants. Plan on arriving the day before your crew will. This will allow you to complete training. This includes training on current policies, practices, equipment, and facilities.

Volunteer requirements include:

Registered with the Boy Scouts of America. If not registered, you can register with the BSA through Northern Tier.
Completed a BSA swim test before arriving.
Completed Wilderness First Aid and CPR certification.
Completed online courses: Youth Protection, Safety Afloat, Safe Swim Defense, and Weather Hazards.
Completed BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (within 12 months) by a healthcare provider.

Those interested in volunteering should contact Leslie at 218-365-4811 for more details.

Wanted: Alumni Recruiters

Fri, 27 Apr 2018 04:23:31 GMT

Recruit Trail Staff for this Summer!

Your staff referrals can learn more and apply at NTier.org/Jobs

You earn a $50 gift card to the Northern Tier High Adventure Trading Post for a referred new staff member who completes training. Earn $20 for each additional, up to $150. Valid through May 5th.

In the “Referred By” field of the application, ask applicants to include your name and phone number or email.

Reflections Newsletter Silver Anniversary Edition: Celebrating 25 years of service to Northern Tier

Tue, 20 Feb 2018 02:27:35 GMT

Reflections Newsletter Silver Anniversary Edition: Celebrating 25 years of service to Northern Tier

This special extended edition highlights the 25-year journey the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. and its members have taken on its mission to support Northern Tier National High Adventure.

Read the Reflections newsletter now »

In this issue:

The SAA seeds are planted
From the President's canoe
2018 Board of Directors
Canoecopia and work week… the traditions continue
Regional reunions
Jamboree reunion
The Lodge
Scholarship recipients
New endowed scholarship established
Apparel embroidered with the SAA logo available online
Staff photo contest results
Staff support
Reflecting on the past and the future

2017 Board Election Results

Karl Huemiller — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 03:38:58 GMT

Congratulations to Angela Miller, Karl Huemiller, Brian Lux, and Don Lee on their election to the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association Board of Directors for a three year term from 2018 - 2020.

2017 Board of Director Nominations

Karl Huemiller — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 01:32:49 GMT

(Please note the deadline has since past.)

Angela Miller, lives in Fayetteville, AR. Worked from 2006 to 2010 as an Interpreter (summer and winter), Chief Interpreter and Canadian Programs Director. She currently own and operate my own photography business specializing in families and weddings.

Karl Huemiller, lives in Minneapolis, MN. Worked from 2004 to 2008 as an Interpreter (summer and winter). Karl currently works for Three Rivers Park District.

Brian Lux, lives in Oklahoma City, OK. Worked as an OA Foreman in 2001.

Don Lee, lives in Linoir City, TN. Don Lee worked from 2008 - 2011 as chief outfitter.

Additional Nominations. After publication to the active membership of the Nominating Committee’s recommendations, the membership may have thirty days to submit additional nominations for inclusion on the ballot provided that these nominations are: (1) made in writing, (2) accompanied by a biographical resume, and (3) are supported by signatures of at least 10 active members of the Association. The thirty days to submit additional nominations must conclude by September 15. Additional nominations must be received by the President. Any additional nominee meeting the requirements of this section will be included on the ballot with those nominated by the Nominating Committee.

Reflections newsletter – Spring 2017

Thu, 09 Mar 2017 02:53:28 GMT

The spring edition of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association's Reflections newsletter is here!

Read the Reflection newsletter now »

In this issue:

Interpreter receives Navy heroism award
From the President’s canoe
2017 Officers and Board of Directors
Work week: May 26 - June 9, 2017
Jack and Mary Osborn endowed scholarship
“The Root Beer Lady, the musical”
Crossing Portages

Alumni Work Week

Sat, 04 Mar 2017 02:33:21 GMT

Alumni Work Week is May 26th through June 9th. This is your chance for some sweat equity and camaraderie with your fellow alumni members and current staff, and also benefit Northern Tier programs and facilities. Volunteers must be members of the alumni association and approved by the volunteer coordinator before arrival.

We can use help for a day or a week, so come as early and stay as late as you can! Meals and accommodations on the base will be provided at no cost. The work will involve a variety of projects on the Base, including some work on the Welcome Cabin and bunkhouses.

You will have the added opportunity to participate in training week activities and Seminar Day. Seminar Day on June 9th is sponsored and staffed by fellow alumni to provide additional education for trail staff in outdoor and guiding skills. If you have an area of expertise you are willing to share, please contact us. A volunteer alumni dinner is also planned on June 8th.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TO VOLUNTEER TODAY!

Northern Tier Booth and Alumni Dinner at Canoecopia (Madison, Wis.)

Sat, 04 Mar 2017 02:28:57 GMT

Canoecopia is the world's largest paddle sports exposition, and the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. (SAA) will once again be staffing the Northern Tier booth!

Please consider helping us out by volunteering to work for a few hours during the weekend event March 10-12, 2017 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison Wisconsin. Volunteers must be members of the alumni association.

There will also be a dinner on Saturday, March 11th in Madison, Wisconsin for alumni of Northern Tier. Local alumni of Philmont Scout Ranch and Florida Sea Base are also welcome.

REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER OR ATTEND THE DINNER TODAY!

Exposition hours are: 4-9 pm on Friday, March 10th, 9 am to 6 pm on Saturday, March 11, and 10 am to 5 pm March 12th. We'll schedule at least two volunteers at the booth at all times. Volunteers will be provided â€œtalking pointsâ€ for prospective participants.

You'll also have plenty of opportunity to attend numerous educational seminars as well as see the latest canoeing and camping gear from over 200 vendors.

Director Election Results

Chuck Rose — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 19:18:16 GMT

Congratulations to Blake Edwards, Cory Kolodji, Eric Peterson, and Don Richard on their election to the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Reunion Rendezvous and Banquet registration closes Monday, August 1st!

Thu, 28 Jul 2016 03:45:32 GMT

Hol-Ry!

Register now! Registration closes after Monday, August 1st for both the Reunion Rendezvous and Banquet. Due to catering requirements, only a limited number of walk-in seats will be available.

Reunion Rendezvous registration
Banquet registration (Does not include other reunion activities.)

We’re excited to see you “Up North” again at the Chalres L. Sommers Alumni Association’s Reunion “Rendezvous” this August at Northern Tier’s Charles L. Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base!

This year brings new and exciting changes for the Rendezvous and Charles L. Sommers! The Biennial Banquet is being moved to Amici's Event Center and will feature food from Ely’s Insula Restaurant.

Further, you’ll want to come back to The Lodge as it reaches its final capstone. After many years of members volunteering their time to renovate the building, the hope is the installation of comprehensive interpretive exhibits will be complete by the reunion.

Red-Eye!

Alumni Work Week 2016

Tue, 26 Apr 2016 00:37:23 GMT

May 26th through June 7th, this is your chance for some sweat equity and camaraderie with your fellow alumni members and current staff, and also benefit Northern Tier programs and facilities. We can use help for a day or a week, so come as early and stay as late as you can! Meals and accommodations on the base will be provided at no cost. The work will involve a variety of projects on the Base, including some work on the Welcome Cabin and bunkhouses.

Learn more and register at http://portal.holry.org/event-2114855

Recipients of 2015 SAA scholarships announced

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 15:00:00 GMT

The names of the SAA’s Seasonal Staff Scholarship Program recipients for 2015 were announced by Owen Gibbs. Requirements for the scholarships: complete two years on staff having fulfilled their terms of employment, enrolled as a student in good academic standing at an accredited post-secondary institution, and receive the recommendations of management at Northern Tier.

The scholarship recipients are: Brenden Carr (Butch Diesslin), Travis Gibson (Friends of Tinnerman / Tinnerman Guide Association), Raymond Hill, Erik Keeler, Christopher Kolischak, Christopher Martin, John McKinney, Mathew Meyer (Christopher D. Breen Memorial), Jeremy Neufield, Derek Richard, Isaak Ridge (Clifford J. Hanson Memorial), Katherine Rose (Erickson Memorial), Daniel Smith (Terry J. Wall Charles Sommers), and Tressa Theis (David Hyink).

Congratulations to all recipients and we look forward to your return to Northern Tier as staff and as alumni members of the association!

2015 SAA staff photo contest results

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 15:00:00 GMT

Check out the entries for this year's SAA staff photo contest on Facebook.

These outstanding photographs consist of fifty-four photographs submitted by nineteen 2015 Northern Tier High Adventure staff.

“Mesaba lake” by Robert Dunne (Award of Excellence)
“Reflection” by Charles Yates (Award of Merit)
“Conquering Heartbreak” by John Young (Award of Merit)

Judging was done by Steve Niedorf, professional photographer. Steve gave an insight into how photographs are judged in the Winter 2013/2014 issue of Reflections that can be found at http://www.holry.org/

Thanks to all who took time to submit their photos for this year’s contest.

Work Week: Join us for a northwoods break from your usual routine!

Tue, 31 Mar 2015 03:28:09 GMT

Work Week: May 28 – June 5

Contact Dick Shank in advance to arrange to participate in Work Week.
Register your interest at http://portal.holry.org/event-2114855
Be a member in good standing of the SAA. Join online at http://www.holry.org/membership.php
Early sign-up is strongly encouraged to assist Northern Tier and your fellow alumni with planning.

May 28 through June 5th, this is your chance for some sweat equity and camaraderie with your fellow alumni members and current staff, and also benefit Northern Tier programs and facilities. We can use help for a day or a week, so come as early and stay as late as you can! Meals and accommodations on the base will be provided at no cost. The work will involve a variety of projects on the Base, including some work on the Welcome Cabin and bunkhouses.

You will have the added opportunity to participate in training week activities and Seminar Day on June 4. Seminar Day is sponsored and staffed by fellow alumni to provide additional education for trail staff in outdoor and guiding skills. If you have an area of expertise you are willing to share, please contact us. A volunteer alumni dinner is planned for June 3.

You also have the option of heading out on the trail after a few days work (advance arrangements with Northern Tier are required if using base equipment or leaving from the NT landing).

We hope to hear from you! For more information and to arrange to participate contact Dick Shank.

Check out the Summit

Tue, 31 Mar 2015 03:24:26 GMT

We’ve all heard about Scouting’s newest High Adventure facility, the Summit Bechtel Reserve located near Beckley, WV, but most of us don’t know much about it. That’s going to change.

The Philmont Staff Association and Summit management are pleased to invite SAA members and their guests to the PSA Weekend at the Summit June 19 and 20, 2015. For those of you with children aged 11 years (for Summit activities) and 12 (for whitewater rafting) and up, this will be the most action-packed family weekend the PSA has ever offered.

On Friday, June 19, you’ll get your eyelids peeled back whitewater rafting on the gnarliest section of the famous New River Gorge rapids and on Saturday, June 20, you will participate in all the activities at the Summit’s Action Point and get a broad sampling of the program the Summit offers. When you leave, you’ll have a good idea of what the Summit is all about.

The cut-off date for purchasing rafting and meals is June 13. For more information (including lodging) and to register on-line visit http://bit.ly/CheckOutTheSummit.

The Summit is located near Beckley, WV, (limited air service) and 1.5 hours from Charleston, WV (good air service). There are plenty of nearby sites and activities which allow your visit to West Virginia to become a fullblown family vacation.

Reflections Newsletter - Winter/Spring 2015

Tue, 31 Mar 2015 03:15:15 GMT

Read the Winter/Spring 2015 edition of the Reflections Newsletter online.

Read the Reflections Newsletter - Winter/Spring 2015 (PDF) edition

Charles L. Sommers Lodge interpretive center update

Sun, 13 Jul 2014 01:15:07 GMT

A ten-year project of the Charles Sommers Alumni Association has reached another milestone with the delivery of an advanced schematic design proposal from a world-class museum outfitter.

As many of you know, the SAA has undertaken an ambitious effort to restore the Lodge Building to preserve its place at Northern Tier and enhance its role in program at the base. Mike Holdgrafer, Northern Tier Committee member and past president of the SAA had the initial vision and sustained energy to tackle this project, and the exceptional generosity of Jim Sowell has enabled this project to develop beyond initial expectations.

Countless SAA members have contributed “sweat equity” to this project over the past decade. The results so far include complete exterior restoration, including log replacement, caulking, sealing, and finishing, total interior cleaning and varnishing of logs, ceilings, rafters and windows, fireplace renovation, and library floor replacement.

Split Rock Studios (www.splitrockstudios.com) was engaged last year to help us with the museum/interpretive center logistics for the Lodge building. We were led to them by their work at Chik Wauk Lodge Museum on the Gunflint Trail, and also their work at numerous national and state parks. For more information, and to add ideas, please contact Dick Shank.

"Campfire Dreams" by Réal Bérard to be auctioned at biennial banquet

Sun, 13 Jul 2014 01:11:14 GMT

Manitoba artist and mapmaker Réal Bérard has once again generously donated the SAA a painting titled "Campfire Dreams". The paining is based on a pictograph from near Fort William in Ontario.

The paining will be auctioned at the reunion’s banquet to support the SAA’s seasonal staff scholarship fund. Join us at the reunion and bid high!

Reflections Newsletter - Spring/Summer 2014

Wed, 14 May 2014 21:22:24 GMT

Read the Spring/Summer 2014 edition of the Reflections Newsletter online.

Read the Reflections Newsletter - Spring/Summer 2014 (PDF) edition

Head "Up North" for the 2014 reunion rendezvous

Mon, 12 May 2014 00:39:50 GMT

Register today!

When: Friday, August 22 – Sunday, August 24, 2014

Why: To reconnect with friends and make new friends, pass the paddle to the next generation of alumni – and have fun!

Register: http://reunion.holry.org

By Karl Huemiller

August 22 - 24 alumni from all over the country will be coming together on Moose Lake for the 2014 Reunion Rendezvous where we will celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Northern Tier program and 20 years of support by the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association. We will celebrate with activities on base and in Ely, a picnic in Whiteside Park, and a banquet at the Grand Ely Lodge. Our biennial banquet will feature event speaker Kevin Callan “The Happy Camper.” Youth attendees will have the opportunity to tour and sleepover at the world-renowned International Wolf Center.

I look forward to seeing old friends and meeting their families. Many of us have made big changes in our lives over the past few years, getting new jobs, having kids, or retiring. I am eager to hear about everyone’s great life adventures, plans for the future, and sharing some of my own stories.

With all the exciting events planned for the coming reunion, we need some help to make the event the best that it can be. Volunteers are particularly needed to help out with a picnic in Whiteside Park and finding items for the banquet's auction. We will also need help with registration check-in and setting up at the banquet. If you would like to help make the reunion a great event, contact Karl Huemiller.

What your reunion registration includes:

SAA/Northern Tier Anniversary Reunion T-Shirt* (Only available to those who attend the reunion!)
Banquet at the Grand Ely Lodge*
Meals though Friday dinner to Sunday breakfast
Lodging at Northern Tier on Friday and Saturday night
Saturday picnic at Whiteside Park and two museum or tour activities in Ely

* T-Shirt and banquet attendance are subject to availability. Late registrations may be affected.

In an effort to keep the reunion affordable there is a low all-inclusive price. In addition, to encourage recent alumni to join us, more "experienced" alumni have the opportunity sponsor a "fellowship" so younger alumni can afford to attend. Young alumni can learn more about applying for a fellowship on the registration site.

I hope to see you and your family in Ely at the reunion. It will be an event you will not want to miss.

Visit http://reunion.holry.org to register.

Alumni Exchange Program Trek: Are You Philmont’s 1 Millionth Camper?

Sun, 19 Jan 2014 00:49:19 GMT

Are You Philmont’s 1 Millionth Camper?

The Philmont Staff Association’s Annual Trek is wildly popular (114 Trekkers participated in 2013) and in 2014, the PSA is inviting all members of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association and the Sea Base Alumni and Friends Association to join them in this enduring PSA tradition (28 years). This invitation is extended as part of the Exchange Program between the PSA, SAA and SBAFA which provides an opportunity for the members of the Associations to experience the High Adventure programs offered at the BSA’s premier High Adventures bases.

Philmont is projecting that the 1 millionth camper will arrive July 12, 2014. This projection is based upon assumptions, so when you arrive at Philmont July 14, 2014 for the Trek, you will have as good a claim as anyone to being the 1 millionth camper.

The 2014 Trek is July 14 to July 21 and the cost is $475. To be compliant with Philmont’s “9,000 foot rule”, you must spend the night of July 13 in the Philmont area. (Philmont will provide free tent accommodations.) Your more detailed schedule is as follows:

Report to the Philmont Welcome Center at 8 a.m. on Monday, July 14. You will spend most of the day doing medical re-checks, checking out food and gear, trip planning, group photos, etc.
Hit the trail on Tuesday, July 16 following customized itineraries available only to participants in the PSA Trek.
Spend 6 days and 5 nights on the trail having glorious fun.
Come off the trail Sunday, July 20, attend Philmont’s closing campfire and receive the Philmont Arrowhead Award.
Depart Philmont on Monday, July 21.

Trek eligibility requirements are as follows:

Be a member of the PSA, SAA, SBAFA or Trek-eligible family member,
Be a member of the BSA,
Presented a completed appropriate medical form,
Be 14 years old (by date of arrival) OR completed 8^th grade and be at least 13 years of age by date of participation,
Be in good physical condition.

You are encouraged to bring your Trek-eligible family members. Trek-eligible family members are your spouse, child or step child, sibling, parent, grandparent, grandchild, niece, nephew or in-law of the PSA, SAA or SBAFA member. All Trek-eligible family members must meet the requirements above.

Soon after you register, you will be contacted by the PSA Trek coordinators who will guide you through the process of finding a crew, planning itineraries, answer any questions you have, and help you find rides to and from the Denver and Albuquerque airports. By the time you arrive at Philmont, you will already be part of a crew and have experienced the fun of pre-Trek planning with your crew mates. You will not be left to flounder on your own.

On-line registration at www.philstaff.com. You can also register by sending $475 per person to Randy Saunders, PSA, 17 Deer Run Road, Cimarron, New Mexico 87714. If registering by mail, please include a piece of paper with your name, whether you are SAA or SBAFA, the names of Trek-eligible family members, mailing address, e-mail address (of each participant) and phone number.

The cancellation policy is as follows:

Cancellation prior to the registration deadline of June 1, 2014 will receive a full refund.
Cancellation after the registration deadline will not receive a refund. Monies paid can be used for another PSA, SAA or SBAFA event prior to the end of 2014 or can be contributed to the general fund of the cancelling participant’s association.
In exceptional cases, the Executive Director AND Vice President of Service of the PSA can authorize full refunds for cancellation after the registration deadline.

Reflections Newsletter - Winter 2013/2014

Sun, 19 Jan 2014 00:03:11 GMT

Read the Winter 2013/2014 edition of the Reflections Newsletter online.

Read the Reflections Newsletter - Winter 2013/2014 (PDF) edition

Volunteer Interpreters Welcome in 2014!

Sat, 18 Jan 2014 23:54:00 GMT

Last summer, Northern Tier had a great time hosting members of the SAA as Volunteer Interpreters.

We would like to welcome any former Interpreters who are current members of the SAA to apply for this opportunity again. Dates are flexible, but our need is greatest in the month of July.

Those interested should fill out Seasonal Employment Application and have 3 people submit reference forms on their behalf. On the application, please put “Volunteer Interpreter” as your first choice and indicate the dates that you could be available. Please submit the application and reference forms via fax (218.365.3112) or by mail (PO Box 509, Ely, MN 55731) to Davey Warner.

Those that are accepted will have to meet some minimum requirements. This includes a BSA Health and Medical Record completed by a physician and current certification in BSA Youth Protection, Safety Afloat, Safe Swim Defense, Weather Hazards, CPR, and Wilderness First Aid.

If you have any questions, please contact Davey Warner. Note: This opportunity has since ended.

Volunteers needed to staff Northern Tier booth at Canoecopia 2014!

Sat, 18 Jan 2014 23:39:17 GMT

Canoecopia is less than 2 months away! This annual event is held at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison Wisconsin March 7-9, and bills itself as “the world’s largest paddle sports exhibition.”

This year the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association has committed to staffing the Northern Tier midway booth for the duration of the program. Volunteers are needed for Friday afternoon and evening, Saturday and Sunday.

This is a great opportunity to hear national quality speakers on a host of topics including great trips, gear and techniques, while meeting up with fellow alumni and friends. We’ll have displays and information for potential future participants, and will provide you with talking points for Scout leaders and youth.

Ready to volunteer? Register here for a 2-hour time block to help out. Use the booth as your own headquarters for the event. (Note, volunteers are responsible for their own event admission and parking.)

Questions? Contact Dick Shank (richard.shank@comcast.net) .Hope to see you there!

Autumn Volunteer Opportunity at Northern Tier

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 04:35:04 GMT

Who: Members of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association (SAA)

When: Starting Saturday, October 12, and continuing through Friday, October 18.

Project: To remove and replace old insulation in cabins, and to install ridge and turtle vents in cabins and staff living quarters.

Purpose: Proper ventilation and insulation will help keep the buildings cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter, and avoid moisture and mold problems.

Skills Needed: Carpentry, roofing, general labor and a desire to enjoy the best time of the year at Northern Tier!

Volunteers Needed: Whether you can spend part of a day or the entire week, any extra set of hands will help for any part of the work week. Like any volunteer-led and directed project, the more volunteers the better.

Protective Clothing/Gear: Volunteers should bring/wear long-sleeved shirts, work pants, work gloves and hats to reduce exposure to fiberglass fibers. Although the Base will provide safety glasses and dust masks, volunteers are encouraged to bring their own safety glasses, masks and/or respirators.

Overview: This past June, the ventilation and insulation of every structure at the Base was assessed by a volunteer, Chuck Barson, a professional from Colorado in the insulation business. Chuck spent over two weeks assessing each structure. It came as no surprise that he identified many issues with either ventilation, insulation or both. This project is focused upon the cabins and staff living units, also known as SLUs. Old, damaged insulation will be replaced with new insulation, while ridge and turtle vents will be installed in the cabins and SLUs. We know the fall is a busy time of year and that this is short notice, so whether you can join for part of a day or more, your help is greatly appreciated.

In order to properly plan for food and lodging, you must contact Jon Gehrke, the Ranger, to RSVP.

WANTED: One or more persons willing to serve as Editor of Reflections.

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:15:40 GMT

WANTED: One or more persons willing to serve as Editor of Reflections. The Board of Directors is still searching for one or more candidates qualified to serve as Editor. Click her to learn more.

That’s right. We’re still looking for one or more persons who can serve as Editor or Co-Editors for Reflections. There are no defined criteria, but clearly writing skills are paramount. Knowledge of how publishing works helps, but isn’t necessary. Being able to work with the Board of Directors and to solicit articles and photos from the Board and the general membership is important. Think of it like trying to herd a group of Charlie Guides. Herding cats would be akin to this.

Join us for seminar day at seasonal staff training

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:10:07 GMT

Do you have some expertise or knowledge that you’d be willing to share and teach a new generation of Charlie Guides? Whether you are an expert in fire-building, voyageur history or something as seemingly simple as paddling technique, June 9^th is your opportunity to share your experience during the seminar day at the seasonal staff training. Click here to learn more how you can participate!

For 90 years, the difference between the Northern Tier and others that outfit or take Scouts into the BWCAW and Quetico Provincial Park is one person; the interpreter. But, no two interpreters are the same. One may be an expert fisherman, while another may be an expert in Ojibwe culture. Another may meet her crew in a voyageur’s outfit and regale her crew with fur trade songs, while another may tell his crew about the folklore and science of the northern lights.

The annual seminar day during seasonal staff training is a chance for interpreters to pick and choose, ath their option, topics they’d like to learn more about. SAA members provide the knowledge and expertise to present a variety of topics relative to dealing with youth and adult leaders in Canoe Country. Whether you are an expert in photography, team-building, baking, portaging, flora and fauna, or meteorology, you are invited to come up and be a part of the seminar day. Most sessions range from 50 minutes to 2 hours. Some are hands’ on while other presentations may be in class-room setting. If you are a presenter, it is up to you to decide.

We’d like you to join fellow SAA members and share your knowledge with a new generation of Charlie Guides.

How young at heart are you? Find out this June!

Sat, 18 May 2013 04:59:38 GMT

SAA members are invited to be non-paid, volunteer interpreters for Northern Tier crews arriving during the period June 23 to July 1, 2013. Click here to find out more about this exciting opportunity!

Due to an unusual early season peak of crews attending the Northern Tier High Adventure Program in late June 2013, Leslie Thibodeaux, Director of Program, has extended an invitation to members of the SAA to be non-paid, volunteer interpreters for crews arriving during the period June 23 to July 1, 2013.

Potential interpreters must be registered members of the Boy Scouts of America. If you are not currently registered, you can register with BSA through the Northern Tier. All individuals must be trained and certified in Youth Protection, Safety Afloat, Safe Swim Defense, and Weather Hazards, all of which are offered on-line by the BSA. Potential interpreters must also provide a BSA Annual Health and Medical Record that includes a certification by an examining health care provider that you may participate in Northern Tier canoe treks.

Proficiency with and an understanding of current policies and practices applicable to both paid staff and participants at the Northern Tier by volunteer interpreters is essential. Volunteer interpreters should plan to arrive one day in advance of your assigned crew for training and familiarization of policies, practices, equipment and facilities, including a BSA swim test.

If you are interested in being a volunteer interpreter, please contact Leslie at 218-365-4811 for more details.

2013 Alumni Work Week: Please join us for a North woods break from your usual routine!

Thu, 02 May 2013 04:46:14 GMT

Please join us for a North woods break from your usual routine!

This is your chance for sweat equity and camaraderie with fellow alumni as well as both Ely and Canadian staff, and to make your mark on this priceless Northern Tier asset.

Work week is June 3 – June 11 and will involve continued restoration of the Lodge. We’ll be starting a new phase of work on the museum and interpretive center function of that building, while preserving its program capabilities.

Meals and bunkhouse accommodations at the base will be provided at no cost. You’ll have the added bonus of participation in training week activities as your interest and time permit, and also a chance to meet and interact with current seasonal staff as well as fellow alumni. Bring your skills and/or enthusiasm; on the job training will be provided.

We can use help for a day or a week, so come as early and stay as late as you can! Consider contacting also some of your contemporaries and make your own reunion part of the fun. We’re planning an Alumni volunteer dinner on the evening of June 8.

You can also combine some time at the base with some fishing and/or canoeing! As in prior years, some of our participants have worked a few days and then headed out on the trail. We hope to hear from you!

Coral Reef Sailing: What to Wear?

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 04:05:24 GMT

Information and Registration

Just as the BSA’s High Adventure Bases offer different cuisines, each base has a different fashion focus.

At Northern Tier the fashion emphasis is on boots, but not just any boots, but jungle boots. Jungle boots are boots that allow the water that flows into the boots to flow out of the boots.

At Philmont likewise the fashion emphasis is on boots. Philmont staffers seem mildly obsessed with boots.

On your Coral Reef Sailing Adventure, February 17 – 23, 2012, you won’t be wearing boots! Instead, you will need to consider what swimming attire fits your form and physique. The Sea Base helps you focus on your swimwear selection with the following advice:

“All swimming attire must be modest. For men, Speedo-type swimsuits are not appropriate; swim suits should have liners in them. For women, bikinis are not appropriate; one-piece swimsuits and modest tankini suits are considered appropriate.”

For those with buff bods and enough bravado to sport Speedos, thongs, un-lined board shorts, bikinis, etc., there are beaches in Key West where you will be warmly welcomed following the Coral Reef Sailing Adventure.

Registration, cost, and contact information here.

2012 SAA Seasonal Staff Scholarship Program recipients

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 03:52:11 GMT

The SAA announces this year's recipients of the Seasonal Staff Scholarship Program. The program provides qualified individuals with post-secondary assistance of a total up to $3,000. Recipients must exhibit both academic competence and exemplary ongoing service to youth.

The 2012 SAA Seasonal Staff Scholarship Program recipients are:

Ellen Amundson
Benjamin Anklan (David Hyink Scholarship)
Jordan Cecil
Collin Cooper (Butch Diesslin Scholarship)
Mark Dierauer
Robert Hinrichs
Adel Huemiller
Matthew Marshall
Heath McCasland
Joseph Mingrone
Bradley Parker
Benjamin Rutherford (Clifford J. Hanson Memorial Scholarship)
Trevor Santy
Michael Shaughnessy (Terry J. Wall Charles Sommers Scholarship)
Michael Small
Brittany Turnis (Christopher D. Breen Memorial Scholarship)
Sally Waldman (Erickson Memorial Scholarship)
Jacob White

Congratulations to this year's recipients! Learn more about the scholarship program at: http://www.holry.org/scholarships.php

Reflections Newsletter - Summer 2012

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 02:00:00 GMT

Read the Summer 2012 edition of the Reflections Newsletter online.

Read the Reflections Newsletter - Summer 2012 (PDF) edition
Also: Online Viewer

Bid Now! SAA Reunion Premier Auction Item - Campbell's Cabins

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 11:30:00 GMT

Join us at the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association's 2012 reunion banquet on Saturday, September 1st to bid on some fantastic auction items! Auction proceeds will support the association's Seasonal Staff Scholarship Program.

Bid Now! Support the Seasonal Staff Scholarship Program.

Mail your bid to SAA Auction, PO Box 428, Ely, MN 55731

Mail will be collected at 3:00 p.m. Friday, August 31, 2012. Late bids will not be accepted.

This year's premier auction item is a "Shirt and Skirt Package" (Husband and Wife Package) generously donated by Campbell's Cabins. The package features 3 full days and 4 nights. Accommodations, meals, 18’ boat, motor, gas, guide, return airfare from Crane Lake, MN. Must be used in 2013 season. The value of this package is Valued at $2910.00 CAD. Download the information flyer.

Cannot attend the auction? You can still bid!

If you cannot attend the 2012 Rendezvous, you may mail your bid to SAA Auction, PO Box 428, Ely, MN 55731. Do not include payment. Include your contact information so you may be notified if you have the winning bid. Mail will be collected at 3:00 p.m. Friday, August 31, 2012. Late bids will not be accepted.

The Florida Sea Base: Coral Reef Sailing Adventure

Sun, 17 Jun 2012 02:29:32 GMT

Sailing, snorkeling, fishing and new friends await you in the Florida Keys. The Florida Sea Base and Friends Association (SBAFA) is proud to host the Philmont Staff Association (PSA) and the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association (SAA) for the 2013 Coral Reef Sailing Adventure. This is the second time this Adventure has been hosted by the SBAFA in the Exchange Program of the SBAFA, PSA and SAA.

During your Adventure, you will sail the Florida Keys in a 40-45 foot sailing vessel and have the opportunity to snorkel and fish some of the most beautiful reefs in the Keys. You’ll also learn navigation, fish identification and coral reef ecology, and hang out with friends, old and new. Except for the last night, you will sleep on your vessel and fall asleep to the rocking of the waves.

Sailing Adventure Basics

The Sailing Adventure is February 17 to February 23, 2011. The cost is $6,100 per vessel. There is a minimum of 6 sailors per vessel, maximum 7 sailors per vessel. On a per sailor basis, this means that a six sailor crew would pay $1016.66 per sailor, and a seven sailor crew would pay $871.43 per sailor. Your actual charge will be determined by taking the total cost for the number of vessels required and divided by the total number of sailors. For example, 20 sailors would require 3 vessels and the resulting charge to each sailor would be $915.

Your fee includes a berth on the vessel, all fishing licenses and gear, on-water food, (fresh -- not trail food!) snorkel gear, on base-lodging and meals, a Coral Reef Sailing Mate on base and a fully qualified captain for your vessel. You are responsible for the limited personal gear required and your transportation to and from the Sea Base in Islamorada, Florida.

Eligibility requirements

Be a current member of the SBAFA, PSA or SAA or eligible family member.
Be a registered member of the BSA.
Presented a completed medical form.
Pass the basic BSA swim check upon check in – persons not passing the swim check will be required to wear a personal flotation device at all times.
Be 13 years old and have completed 8^th grade, or 14 years old, by arrival day – youth participants will be required to present a valid ID showing proof of age.

Eligible family members are your spouse, child or step-child, sibling, parent, grandparent, grandchild, niece, nephew or in-law who meets the eligibility requirements above.

Becoming a member of the BSA is straightforward: register at your local Scout office by explaining that BSA membership is a requirement for participation in an event at the Sea Base, pay nominal fees and pass a background check.

BSA swimming requirements are simple: jump feet first into water over your head, swim 75 yards in a strong manner using a forward stroke, turn over, swim 25 yards using a resting back stroke and then float motionless on your back for one minute.

The schedule

Sunday, February 17 -- Arrive at Sea Base by 10:00 a.m., meet your Coral Reef Sailing Mate and fellow/sister sailors, have lunch in the Sea Base galley, go through swimming re-check, snorkel instruction, food pick-up and crew photos. Set sail from Sea Base before dinner and eat Sunday dinner on your vessel.
Monday, February 18 -- Sail the Keys.
Tuesday, February 19 – Sail the Keys.
Wednesday, February 20 -- rendezvous at Big Munson Island, site of the Sea Base’s Out Island Program, and complete a fun service project and tour the island. The opportunity to visit Big Munson Island is not offered to regular Coral Reef Sailing Adventure participants – just you! Then visit the Brinton Environmental Center for hot showers. Wednesday evening return to your vessel and set sail again.
Thursday, February 21 -- Sail the Keys.
Friday, February 22 -- Return to Sea Base, participate in a luau, and receive your Sea Base participant’s award. Those persons having earned participation awards at all three BSA High Adventure Bases will receive their Triple Crown Award. Spend the final night in a Sea Base bunkhouse.
Saturday, February 23 – depart Sea Base.

Deviations from the above schedule are not possible. Persons arriving a day early can sleep at the Sea Base at no charge.

How to register

To reserve your slot, you must pay a $100 deposit by November 30, 2012. After November 30th? Currently there is still space for you to sign-up! Register and pay your deposit online here. Call the Philmont Staff Association to confirm space at (575) 376-1138.

Except as set forth below, this deposit is non-refundable, but it is transferable. Immediately after November 30, the number of vessels required will be determined and the final price per sailor calculated. You will be immediately notified of the final price and the balance of the final price must be paid in full by December 10, 2012. Once paid the balance is not refundable and the purchase of trip interruption/cancellation insurance to protect you against unforeseen cancellation is advised.

In the event the number of registrants is such that all cannot be accommodated on vessels, sailors will be awarded their slot based on the order in which their registration was received, priority beginning with the first registrant. Sailors who cannot be accommodated will receive a refund of their deposit.

All registrations will be handled by Randy Saunders, Executive Director of the Philmont Staff Association. To register and get top priority for a slot mail the form below, together with your check in the amount of $100 per sailor payable to the PSA, to Randy at Executive Director, Philmont Staff Association, 17 Deer Run Road, Cimarron, NM 87714.

Don’t miss out on this – the first Coral Reef Sailing Adventure in 2011 proved to be very popular.

View the information and registration form here. (PDF)
Register and pay your deposit online

Alumni Eastern Caribbean Cruise

Sat, 16 Jun 2012 23:12:55 GMT

Hol-Ry!

Butch Diesslin, Lucy Diesslin, Dave Hyink, and Steff Hyink are organizing a 10-day Eastern Caribbean Cruise, February 5-15, 2013. They are recruiting more people to join them on their voyage!

If enough sign-up the group will qualify for the associated cruise line “Group Discount”. Any group discount from the cruise line will be donated to the SAA Seasonal Staff Scholarship Program, with each member of the group receiving a pro-rated charitable donation receipt.

Group members must register through same travel agent so the group designation shows up for the customer on their cruise line’s reservation.

View the registration details here. (PDF)

Hol-Ry! Join us for a North Woods break from your usual routine!

Tue, 08 May 2012 04:20:50 GMT

Alumni Work Week: May 28-June 9

This is your chance for some sweat equity and camaraderie with your fellow alumni members and current staff, and to make your mark on this priceless asset, Northern Tier. This year promises to be the largest ever, with 240 seasonal staff hired, and the Sandy Bridges Program Center in operation.

“Work Week” is May 28 to June 9. We can use help for a day or a week, so come as early and stay as late as you can! Bring your skills and enthusiasm; we will provide on-the-job training. The work will involve continued restoration of the Lodge building. This large project is intended to preserve and enhance the Lodge as a museum and interpretive center for the base. The completion of this project is in sight!

Meals and accommodations on the base will be provided at no cost. You will have the added bonus of participation in training week activities as your interest and time permit. On June 9, we are planning a volunteer alumni dinner. Consider contacting your fellow alumni to participate with you and make your own reunion part of the fun.

Arrange your Work Week participation in advance with Dick Shank.
Be a member in good standing of the SAA. Join online at www.holry.org

We hope to hear from you! For more information and to arrange to participate contact Dick Shank.

Remembering Larry Whitmore

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:26:46 GMT

Friends of Larry Whitmore,

Larry Whitmore passed away on January 1, 2012. He had been battling cancer for several years. My remembrances of Larry will not be about his health issues, but rather the unique person who was my good friend and colleague.

On Thursday, January 5, 2012, there will be a visitation with family at 5 pm and a "celebration of life" remembrance service at 7pm held at the Heritage Funeral Home in Sioux Falls, SD.

Many of Larry's friends are geographically spread out, so we expect many will want to "stand up and say something" from a distance. Please leave your thoughts and memories about Larry by adding your comments on the bottom of the page or on the Obituary page (Adobe Flash required).

As near as I can figure, we met over 45 years ago, when we were both Boy Scouts in the Sioux Council Order of the Arrow ceremonial team. The Order of the Arrow is a brotherhood of honor campers in Scouting, and as the ceremonial team, we took our duties seriously. We wore special buckskin Indian garb, carefully memorized our lines, including lots of Indian words that we probably butchered in their pronunciation. We conducted a nighttime ceremony where we "tapped out" new honor campers after paddling into camp at the shore of a lake, skillfully lighting a campfire with a flaming arrow. All of this had been carefully rehearsed to maximize the impact of the solemn ceremony. Larry and I shared a respect and reverence for Indian ways, and I suspect our feelings go back to our time in the OA.

Also as Scouts, Larry and I spent time together on a wilderness canoe trip through the Charles L. Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base near Ely, MN. It was a great experience. We both ended up getting jobs there the next year, first getting trained and then working as wilderness guides. Each subsequent summer, we took 5 or 6 Scout crews into the woods for ten days at a time, paddling hundreds of miles, portaging between lakes, and "delivering the Wilderness Experience". In between trips to the woods, Larry would play his guitar, usually drawing a crowd around his locker in the guide's quarters. Some of his songs were folk songs, some were songs of the day - some of my favorites were written by Bob Dylan - and some of Larry's songs he had written himself.

Larry guided canoe trips at the Sommers Canoe Base for seven years, much longer than most guides who might last a year or two - maybe three or four at the most. Larry generally got excellent reviews from his crews - his trips were always an adventure, and that's what they came up to the Base for. Remarkably, he also got excellent reviews from his adult advisors - who weren't always there for an adventure in the woods - many were just there following up on their commitment to the boys - and Larry somehow got them into the spirit of the wilderness treks - thus earning their respect and admiration.

Larry had lots of friends in the days he was guiding - and why not? He was an adventurous voyageur among fellow voyageurs. ...someone to look up to ...to hang out with ...to aspire to be like... and he could sing and play guitar and tell stories all night long.

After our days guiding, I sort of lost track of Larry for a few years, even though were were both within a few miles of Sioux Falls. We were busy working our jobs and raising our families. We did hunt together once in awhile. My God, could that man shoot a shotgun. I understand he was a champion trap shooter. One of my favorite stories is how he got to be a "hired gun" for some of the ranchers who hosted goose hunts out on the Missouri River. Everybody paid the rancher for the experience of hunting in the "pits" based on how many geese they brought home. Larry's job would be to take the end pit, patiently waiting for everyone else take their shots, and then make sure that none of the honkers got past him. For his trouble, Larry's fee's were generally waived. I think they had his phone number on speed dial for the times when they expected a hunting party with questionable shooting skills.

Years later, Larry began to develop a series of health problems that seemed to consume his energy and change his spirit of optimism and adventure. For those of us who knew him in the good old days, he always seemed to have time for us - to laugh and sing and recall tall tales and great memories. I think it became harder and harder to change gears and be the Larry that we grew up with. The crowning blow may have been when his fingers became so numb that he couldn't play guitar.

I believe Larry is playing his guitar again now, singing, and sharing stories with his friends. In my mind, I can picture his spirit enjoying some of the many places he visited, bringing in some pheasants or catching some fish for supper. He was my great friend, and I will always remember the times we spent together.

Dave Greenlee

2011 Northern Tier Seasonal Staff Scholarship Recipients

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 01:27:47 GMT

The SAA announces this year's recipients of the Northern Tier Seasonal Staff Scholarship Program. The program provides qualified individuals with post-secondary assistance of a total up to $3,000. Recipients must exhibit both academic competence and exemplary ongoing service to youth.

The 2011 Northern Tier Seasonal Staff Scholarship Program recipients are:

Erin Beaton
Tim Botranger
Collin Cooper (Christopher D. Breen Memorial Scholarship)
Mark Dierauer
Paul Docimo
Jacob Dowling (Terry J. Wall Charles Sommers Scholarship)
Gail Ferguson
Matthew Hall
Robert Hinrichs
Adel Huemiller
Erik Huemiller (Cliff Hanson Scholarship)
Erik Keeler
Seth Marple (Dave Hyink Scholarship)
Corynne McCathie
Matthew McGonegle
Adam Neuman
Scott Page
Bryan Patterson (Erickson Memorial Scholarship)
Trevor Santy
Ryan Sievert (Butch Diesslin Scholarship)

Congratulations to this year's recipients! Learn more about the scholarship program at: http://www.holry.org/scholarships.php

Reflections Newsletter - Summer/Fall 2011

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:42:57 GMT

Read the Reflections Newsletter - Summer/Fall 2011 (PDF) edition (Also: Online Viewer)

Read Summer/Fall 2011 edition of the Reflections Newsletter online to learn all about what is occurring.

Program Center to be dedicated in memory of Clyde S. "Sandy" Bridges

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 01:52:56 GMT

On Saturday, August 27, 2011, the new Program Center will be formally dedicated in memory of Clyde S. "Sandy" Bridges, visionary General Manager and Base Director.

You are invited, as a member, friend, and supporter of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. and Northern Tier High Adventure Program, BSA, to gather at Charles L. Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base on the shores of Moose Lake, and join Cherie Sawinski and members of Sandy's family, together with dignitaries and guests from the Boy Scouts of America and the Ely community to dedicate the Sandy Bridges Program Center.

The dedication will commence at 10:00 a.m. There will be a brief reception, program and dedication ceremony, followed by tours that will wrap up the festivities at 2:00 p.m. Lunch will be served, so please R.S.V.P. by Friday, August 19th. To R.S.V.P., please contact Karen Berg.

2012 Alumni Voyage: Atikokan to Ely

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:01:32 GMT

Exchange Program Goes International

The Exchange Program of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Philmont Staff Association, and the Sea Base Friends and Alumni Association is pleased to announce the first-ever Exchange Program event to take place outside the United States.

The 2012 Alumni Wilderness Voyage – August 22 to September 1 -- is an exciting 9 day, 8 nights-on-the water paddling adventure where you will be able to experience the extremely remote interior of the Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada. This is a place where few others travel.

Voyageurs will begin their voyage near Atikokan, Ontario where the Northern Tier’s Donald Rogert Canoe Base is located, and will paddle in Canadian waters until the end of the trip when they cross the international boundary and finish the trip at the Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base near Ely, Minnesota. The voyage offers various routes ranging from easy to strenuous with lengths between 80 to 95 miles. Voyageurs that complete the trip will be awarded a participant’s patch from both the Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base and the Donald Rogert Canoe Base – what could be a better deal?

Explore the route from Atikokan, Ontario to Ely, Minnesota!

Voyageurs will arrive Wednesday evening, August 22 (5 p.m.) at the Northern Tier’s Charles L. Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base for dinner. After dinner voyageurs will begin outfitting and route planning and will spend the night at the base. The next day at 6:30 a.m. voyageurs will depart by shuttle to the Donald Rogert Canoe Base in Atikokan. Participants will enjoy a brief tour and lunch at the base.

The voyageurs will then proceed to Nym Lake to begin their voyage. The voyageurs will spend the next 9 days and 8 nights (Thursday to the following Friday) exploring the wilderness and solitude of the Quetico – a place where wolves, bears, moose and bald eagles abound. (The fishing is rumored to be good, too.) On Friday, August 31 the voyageurs will arrive back at the Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base. Upon arrival, the voyageurs will be greeted by the beginning festivities of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association’s “Rendezvous” reunion. After breakfast on Saturday voyageurs have the option to stay for the Rendezvous weekend or head home.

Voyageurs will be responsible for:

Participation fee. Includes Northern Tier program and Quetico Provincial Park camping fees.
Passport Book or Card. It is very important you apply well in advance.
Personal gear. After you register a packing list will be provided. Northern Tier provides most items including tents and stoves.
Crew gear. Individuals will be asked to contribute a few items the crew must provide (first aid kit, etc).
Transportation to and from Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base (Ely, Minnesota). As it takes about 5-6 hours to drive from the Minneapolis airport to the Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base, voyageurs should plan flights which land no later than 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 22. It is even suggested that voyageurs travel to Minneapolis on Tuesday night. On-time arrival by 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Charles L. Sommers Base is very important. Car pooling will be organized to assist voyageurs in getting from Minneapolis to the base. Hotels are available near the airport and downtown, which is easily accessible by light rail.

Timeline:

Wednesday, August 22 – Arrive at Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base (Ely, Minnesota) by 5 p.m. Dinner, outfitting, sauna and a good night’s sleep.
Thursday, August 23 – Depart by shuttle at 6:30 a.m. to Atikokan, Ontario. Tour Donald Rogert Canoe Base, eat lunch, check-in, and begin voyage on Nym Lake.
Thursday to following Friday – Paddle the Quetico Provincial Park.
Friday, August 31 – Arrive back at Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base on Moose Lake. Another sauna.
Saturday, September 1 – Breakfast. Stay for the weekend reunion or head home.

Costs:

As this voyage is longer than previous voyages – and in the Quetico – the cost is higher than past voyages. The adult participant fee includes $139 in Canadian fees; the youth fee includes $75 in Canadian fees.

The total fees are $750 per person for adults, $686 for youth under 18 for the full duration of the trip. The deposit fee to reserve your spot is $250 with the full amount due by the registration deadline of July 1, 2012. We'll accept registrations after July 1st if there is space available.

The fee includes the shuttle to Atikokan, trail food, canoes, paddles, most crew gear and a Northern Tier Interpreter.

Eligibility:

Primary participant must be a member in good standing of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association at the time of registration and participation.
All participants must be current registered members of the Boy Scouts of America. Contact the association if you have questions regarding this.
All participants upon arrival must provide a completed Northern Tier medical form that has been approved and signed by their medical provider. Participants must be in good physical shame and meet Northern Tier weight requirements.
All participants must be at least 13 years old by December 31st, 2012.
Have a valid Passport Book or Card and permitted to enter the country of Canada.
Before arriving pass a “BSA Swim Test” as a “Swimmer” and provide a Northern Tier swimming certification form signed by a Lifeguard or other qualified individual. Non-swimmers are not allowed.

The swimming requirements are simple: jump feet first into water over your head, swim 75 yards in a strong manner using a forward stroke, turn over, swim 25 yards using a resting back stroke and then float motionless on your back for one minute.

Prior canoeing experience is not required, but it is helpful. If you do not have canoeing experience, pick up and carefully read (several times) the Canoeing Merit Badge book.

Voyage-eligible family members are your spouse, child or step child, sibling, parent, grandparent, grandchild, niece, nephew or in-law who meets the eligibility requirements above.

Registration:

Registration cut-off is July 1, 2012. We'll accept registrations after July 1st if there is space available. It is very important that you apply for your passport well before the refund deadline so you know if there are any issues. There are no refunds after the deadline even if you are not able to attain a Passport or are denied entry into Canada.

Questions about the Voyage?

Contact the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association.

Triple Crown of High Adventure Award:

Upon completion of your voyage, you will be one step closer towards the Triple Crown Award, the award given to those who have earned participant’s awards at all three of the BSA High Adventure Bases: Northern Tier, Philmont, and Sea Base.

Cancellation:

Cancellations prior to the registration deadline of July 1, 2012 will receive a full refund.
Cancellation after the registration deadlines will not receive a refund. Monies paid can be used for another SAA or Exchange Program event (prior to the end of 2013) or can be contributed to the General Fund.
In exceptional cases – which do not include lack of a passport or denied entry into Canada – Executive Committee can authorize full refunds for cancellation after the registration deadline.

Hol-Ry! Join us for a North Woods break from your usual routine!

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 04:41:05 GMT

Alumni Work Week: May 29-June 10

This is your chance for some sweat equity and camaraderie with your fellow alumni members and current staff, and to make your mark on this priceless asset, Northern Tier. This year promises to be the largest ever, with 240 seasonal staff hired, and the new Sandy Bridges Program Center in operation!

“Work Week” is May 29 to June 10. We can use help for a day or a week, so come as early and stay as late as you can! Bring your skills and enthusiasm; we will provide on-the-job training. The work will involve continued restoration of the Lodge building. This large project is intended to preserve and enhance the Lodge as a museum and interpretive center for the base. The completion of this project is in sight!

Meals and accommodations on the base will be provided at no cost. You will have the added bonus of participation in training week activities as your interest and time permit. On June 10, we are planning a volunteer alumni dinner. Consider contacting your fellow alumni to participate with you and make your own reunion part of the fun.

Arrange your Work Week participation in advance with Dick Shank.
Early sign-up is strongly encouraged to help Northern Tier with planning (the base will be very busy with 240 staff!).
Be a member in good standing of the SAA. Join online at www.holry.org

As in prior years, some of our alumni have worked a few days and then headed out on the trail. The base will be glad to help outfit you if needed (advance arrangements with Northern Tier are required).

We hope to hear from you! For more information and to arrange to participate contact Dick Shank.

SAA - PSA Madison Reunion (Canoecopia is here!)

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:20:55 GMT

Where
Great Dane Pub
2980 Cahill Main
Fitchburg, WI

When
Saturday, March 12 @ 6:30pm.
People will gather for dinner and fellowship.

Come join members from the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association and Philmont Staff Association for an evening of sharing stories and making new friends who love High Adventure. Bring photos and other mementos. We all will initially gather at the bar, then be seated as a group. There is no advance reservation, but one of us will arrive early to arrange seating.

RSVP to online to let us know you are coming.

We are looking forward to seeing you and your family, and sharing our love of Northern Tier and Philmont.

This same weekend Canoecopia, a large paddler expo hosted by Rutabaga, will be held in Madison, WI on the weekend of March 11-13, 2011. This event is held at Alliant Energy Center. Industry experts, educators, suppliers, and Northern Tier High Adventure will be at Canoecopia. There will be over 20,000 attendees over the weekend. The hours of events for the weekend are: Friday – 4pm to 9:00pm, Saturday – 9:00am to 6:00pm, and Sunday – 10:00am to 5:00pm. Cost for attendance is $15.00 for the weekend. More information is available at www.canoecopia.com.

Alumni Trek to Philmont - "We still talk about the memories" by Kevin Dowling

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 21:16:45 GMT

From the Northwoods

Dear Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association Members:

Northern Tier and the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association (SAA) are excited to be teaming up with the Philmont Staff Association (PSA) and the Sea Base and Friends Association (SBAFA) to promote the 25th Annual PSA Trek – the Silver Trek -- at Philmont Scout Ranch August 7th through 14th, 2011.

This high adventure experience is a true benefit to the whole family. A real challenge in today’s society is passing the beauty of the outdoors to the next generation. We all, in some way, have benefited from our experiences at one of the BSA High Adventure Bases as a youth or in our adult lives.

As the General Manager of Northern Tier, I cherish the days the crews arrive in anticipation of an experience that they have planned for 18 months. It is even more rewarding to watch these same crew members return from a 5 – 10 day experience in the wilderness. The expressions of confidence seen on the faces of young people right off the trail who are tired, dirty and longing for a shower and sauna portray the real benefit of a Trek.

I personally recall these same experiences as I hiked the trails of Philmont on the 2009 PSA Trek with two of my four children. It is hard to say if the Trek was more beneficial to them or to me but we still talk today about the memories we share. Better yet, the interest the other crew members, adult and youth, took ensuring everyone had a great experience is what clings to my memories to this day. Two years later, that Rick, Jeff, Steve, Lee, Doug, Sharon, Alex, Glenn and Joe still ask about my children and what they are doing is amazing.

Take the time now to bring your family on the 25th Annual PSA Trek in 2011. Go to the Alumni Association Website for details. Time doesn’t slow down and we all have the responsibility to engage youth and adults in enjoying and protecting the great outdoors. It also counts as a trail experience for the Triple Crown Award, a real bonus!

Kevin Dowling
General Manager
Northern Tier Programs

Reflections Newsletter - Summer/Fall 2010

Sun, 12 Dec 2010 04:44:57 GMT

Read the Reflections Newsletter - Summer/Fall 2010 (PDF) edition (Also: Online Viewer)

Read Summer/Fall 2010 edition of the Reflections Newsletter online to learn all about what is going on.

The Clifford J. Hanson Memorial Scholarship is announced. See photos of the Rendezvous Reunion. Did you know a Nuisance Bear was "Bagged" at the reunion? Learn more about construction of the Sandy Bridges Program Center. And much more!

2010 Northern Tier Seasonal Staff Scholarship Recipients Announced

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 15:30:00 GMT

The SAA announces this year's recipients of the Northern Tier Seasonal Staff Scholarship Program. The program provides qualified individuals with post-secondary assistance of a total up to $3,000. Recipients must exhibit both academic competence and exemplary ongoing service to youth.

The 2010 Northern Tier Seasonal Staff Scholarship Program recipients are:

Patricia Anklan (Christopher D. Breen Memorial Scholarship)
Drew Augustyn
Leo Brett
John Duke
Andy Folson
Matthew Hall (Terry J. Wall Charles Sommers Scholarship)
Nadia Hassler (Butch Diesslin Scholarship)
Matthew Kaney
Paul Landers
Seth Marple
Corynne McCathie
Jacob McIntosh (Erickson Memorial Scholarship)
Paul Narr (Dave Hyink Scholarship)
Bryan Patterson (Cliff Hanson Scholarship)
Christopher Rollins
Faye Tilley

Congratulations to this year's recipients! Learn more about the scholarship program at: http://www.holry.org/scholarships.php

The Exchange Program: 2011 Alumni Wilderness Trek at Philmont Scout Ranch

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 14:00:00 GMT

The Exchange Program: Participate in the Philmont Staff Association’s 25^th Annual “Silver” Trek at Philmont Scout Ranch

The Philmont Staff Association’s (PSA) 25^th Annual Trek – the Silver Trek on August 7-14 – is your reason to go to Philmont in 2011!

Register and pay online

Download the fact sheet and registration form

As part of the Exchange Program between the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association (SAA), Philmont Staff Association (PSA) and, Sea Base Alumni & Friends Association (SBAFA), members are heartily welcomed and encouraged to participate in PSA’s “Silver Trek” at Philmont Scout Ranch. You and your Trek-eligible family members will be received with warm hospitality, fully integrated into a crew, and have the time of your life.

In celebration of the 25^th Annual PSA Trek, you will earn a special Silver Trek award patch that will only be awarded to Trekkers. These patches will not be available for purchase and is in addition to the Philmont Arrowhead award that you will earn. To make the Trek available to “vintage” Trekkers or others not up to a rigorous itinerary Philmont will allow Trekkers to design moderate itineraries which do not require hiking all the way to commissary camps for trail food – Philmont will deliver trail food to easily accessible staffed camps instead. “It’s too hard” will not be an acceptable excuse for non-participation!

If you have Trek-eligible family members, their participation is welcomed. During the past two Treks there has been a marked increase in participation by Trek-eligible family members, especially youth, and we hope this will continue. Since youth tend to be elected as crew leaders, this is the perfect opportunity for your Trek-eligible youth to hone his/her leadership skills by taking charge of a group of adults.

Preceding the Trek will be the PSA Annual Reunion August 5-7. You are welcome to attend the Reunion at no additional cost.

Start planning now to go to Philmont for the 25^th Annual PSA Trek – the Silver Trek. There are only 72 slots available, and when they’re gone, they’re gone!

The basics

You will report to the Philmont Welcome Center at 8 a.m. on the morning of Sunday, August, 7, and hit the trail on Monday, August 8. You will come off the trail on Saturday, August 13, and will leave Philmont after breakfast on Sunday, August 14. The Trek cost is $400 and the eligibility requirements are as follows:

1. Be a member of the SAA member or trek-eligible family member

2. Be a member of the BSA

3. Have a completed Philmont medical form

4. Be 14 years old OR completed 8^th grade and be at least 13 years of age prior to participation

5. Be in good physical shape

Trek-eligible family members

You can bring your spouse, child or stepchild, sibling, parent, grandparent, grandchild, niece, nephew or in-law who meets the eligibility requirements above.

Registration cut-off

Registration cut-off is July 1, 2011. Don’t wait until then to register, though, because the Silver Trek will likely be sold out. Use the form below.

Cancellation policy

(1) Cancellations prior to the registration deadline of July 1, 2011 will receive a full refund.

(2) Cancellation after the registration deadlines will not receive a refund. Monies paid can be used for another Exchange Program event (prior to the end of 2012) or can be contributed to the SAA General Fund.

(3) In exceptional cases, the SAA President can authorize full refunds for cancellation after the registration deadline.

Registration form

Congratulation to the Northern Tier Staff Photo Content Winners!

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 14:00:00 GMT

The Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association (SAA) Photo Competition Committee is proud to announce the winners of the 2010 Northern Tier staff photo competition. Each year there is an increase in the quality of the entries making the selection process even more challenging.

The winning images will be used for promotion of the SAA (including scholarship fund) and Northern Tier program. Professional photographers Steve Niedorf and Joel Sheagren judged this year’s photo contest. Both worked at Northern Tier and are Eagle Scouts.

After due deliberations and consultations here are the selections:

Award of Excellence and winner: Steven Lee Erdmann - "(Birch Baldy) Bald Eagle Silhouette on Southeast Birch Lake"
Award of Merit and winner: Keatan Williams - "Daisy on the Lake"
Award of Merit and winner: Eric Free - "Dawn Paddle"

On behalf of the Committee and the Board of the SAA we would like to thank everyone who participated in the contest this year for their excellent work. Thanks for sharing your creative visions on the lake country we all know and love.

Be sure to check out all the photo contest entries!

Red-eye!

Award of Excellence and winner: Steven Lee Erdmann - "(Birch Baldy) Bald Eagle Silhouette on Southeast Birch Lake"

Award of Merit and winner: Keatan Williams - "Daisy on the Lake"

Award of Merit and winner: Eric Free - "Dawn Paddle"

Hol-Ry! Last Call: Coral Reef Sailing Adventure!

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 05:21:47 GMT

Hol-Ry!

You still have time to adjust your schedule for the Coral Reel Sailing Adventure. The registration deadline – and your $100 deposit – is November 9, 2010. Don’t be left standing on the dock!

Sailing Adventure Basics

The Sailing Adventure is February 6 to February 11, 2011. The cost is $5,800 per vessel. There is a minimum of 6 sailors per vessel, maximum 8 sailors per vessel. On a per sailor basis, this means that a six sailor crew would pay $966.66 per sailor, a seven sailor crew would pay $828.57 per sailor and an eight sailor crew would pay $725 per sailor. Your actual charge will be determined by taking the total cost for the number of vessels required divided by the total number of sailors. For example, 20 sailors would require 3 vessels and the resulting charge to each sailor would be $870.

Eligibility requirements

Be a current member of the SAA, SBAFA, PSA, or eligible family member.
Be a registered member of the BSA.
Presented a completed Sea Base medical form – Philmont and Northern Tier medical forms will not suffice.
Pass the basic BSA swim check upon check in – persons not passing the swim check will be required to wear a personal flotation device at all times.
Be 14 years old by September 1, 2011 – youth participants will be required to present a valid ID showing proof of age.

Eligible family members are your spouse, child or step-child, sibling, parent, grandparent, grandchild, niece, nephew or in-law who meets the eligibility requirements above.

Becoming a member of the BSA is straightforward: register at your local Scout office by explaining that BSA membership is a requirement for participation in an event at the Sea Base, pay nominal fees and pass a background check.

BSA swimming requirements are simple: jump feet first into water over your head, swim 75 yards in a strong manner using a forward stroke, turn over, swim 25 yards using a resting back stroke and then float motionless on your back for one minute.

Questions? Registration, cost, and contact information here.

Florida Sea Base: Coral Reef Sailing Adventure, new friends await you Down in the Florida Keys

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 05:06:14 GMT

Florida Sea Base

Coral Reef Sailing Adventure

Sailing, snorkeling, fishing and new friends await you ”Down in the Florida Keys”. The Florida Sea Base and Friends Association (SBAFA) is proud to host the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association (SAA) and the Philmont Staff Association (PSA) and for the 2011 Coral Reef Sailing Adventure. This is the first High Adventure opportunity hosted by the SBAFA in the recently expanded Exchange Program of the SBAFA, SAA and PSA.

During your Adventure, you will sail the Florida Keys in a 42 foot sailing vessel and have the opportunity to snorkel and fish some of the most beautiful reefs in the Keys. You’ll also learn astronomy, navigation, fish identification and coral reef ecology, and hang out with friends, old and new. Except for the last night, you will sleep on your vessel and fall asleep to the rocking of the waves.

Sailing Adventure Basics

The Sailing Adventure is February 6 to February 11, 2011. The cost is $5,800 per vessel. There is a minimum of 6 sailors per vessel, maximum 8 sailors per vessel. On a per sailor basis, this means that a six sailor crew would pay $966.66 per sailor, a seven sailor crew would pay $828.57 per sailor and an eight sailor crew would pay $725 per sailor. Your actual charge will be determined by taking the total cost for the number of vessels required divided by the total number of sailors. For example, 20 sailors would require 3 vessels and the resulting charge to each sailor would be $870.

Eligibility Requirements

Be a current member of the SBAFA, PSA or SAA or eligible family member.
Be a registered member of the BSA.
Presented a completed Sea Base medical form – Philmont and Northern Tier medical forms will not suffice.
Pass the basic BSA swim check upon check in – persons not passing the swim check will be required to wear a personal flotation device at all times.
Be 14 years old by September 1, 2011 OR 13 years of age and completed 8^th grade – youth participants will be required to present a valid ID showing proof of age.

Eligible family members are your spouse, child or step-child, sibling, parent, grandparent, grandchild, niece, nephew or in-law who meets the eligibility requirements above.

The Schedule

Sunday, February 6 -- Arrive at Sea Base by 10:30 a.m., meet your Coral Reef Sailing Mate and fellow/sister sailors, have lunch in the Sea Base galley, go through swimming re-check, snorkel instruction, food pick-up and crew photos. Set sail from Sea Base before dinner and eat Sunday dinner on your vessel.
Monday, February 7 -- Sail the Keys.
Tuesday, February 8 -- dock at the Sea Base’s Brinton Environmental Center, shower, and then travel to Big Munson Island, site of the Sea Base’s Out Island Program, and complete a fun service project. The opportunity to visit Big Munson Island is not offered to regular Coral Reef Sailing Adventure participants – just you! Tuesday evening return to your vessel and set sail again.
Wednesday, February 9 -- Sail the Keys.
Thursday, February 10 -- Return to Sea Base, participate in a luau, and receive your Sea Base participant’s award. Those persons having earned participation awards at all three BSA High Adventure Bases will receive their Triple Crown Award. Spend the final night in a Sea Base bunkhouse.
Friday, February 11 -- either return home or continue to Key West with your friends for further crew-building activities, or enjoy a long Valentine’s Day weekend in the Keys with a special friend.

Persons arriving a day early, or staying a day later, can be accommodated at the Sea Base.

How to Register

To reserve your slot, you must pay a $100 deposit by November 9, 2010. Except as set forth below, this deposit is non-refundable, but it is transferable. Immediately after November 9, the number of vessels required will be determined and the final price per sailor calculated. You will be immediately notified of the final price and the balance of the final price must be paid in full by December 8, 2010. Once paid the balance is not refundable and the purchase of trip interruption/cancellation insurance to protect you against unforeseen cancellation is advised.

All registrations will be handled by Randy Saunders, Executive Director of the Philmont Staff Association. To register and get top priority for a slot mail the form below, together with your check in the amount of $100 per sailor payable to the “Philmont Staff Association”, to Randy at Executive Director, Philmont Staff Association, 17 Deer Run Road, Cimarron, NM 87714.

Alternatively you may register and pay your deposit online.

Your name: __________________________________________

Phone #: ____________________________________________

E-mail: ______________________________________________

Additional registrants: (List age if under 18 years old)

Name & age: _________________ Relationship to member:_________

Hol-ry, Another summer is rapidly winding down.

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:28:43 GMT

Holry,

Another summer is rapidly winding down. The final crews at the Base are headed home. Cooler temperatures are behind weather fronts and before we know it, the first signs of fall’s colors will be showing on the maples in Canoe Country.

I wanted to take this final opportunity to invite you to the 2010 Rendezvous over Labor Day weekend. Allen Rench and his team of organizers are putting the final touches on a fun-filled weekend. Whether you can visit for the weekend or just Saturday’s banquet, we hope you can join us.

We’ve invited fur trade re-enactors to set-up camp in the old canoe yard (the volleyball area for younger members) to take us back to the era when the Ojibway and French voyageurs exchanged trade goods for valuable beaver pelts. On Saturday night, the kids get to sleep-over with Ted, Honey and Lucky, three black bears at the North American Bear Center (Survivors will be returned to families in time for Sunday service in the Lodge.). The rest of us will gather Saturday evening to dine at the Grand Ely Lodge. Tom Widney will share his inspirational experience as an adaptive paddler. We’ll also be entertained by renowned voyageur auctioneer, Cory Kolodji, who will auction a restored Seliga canoe and Real Berard painting.

Whether you are interested in a paddle on Moose Lake, sitting back and exchanging stories with fellow Charlie Guides, or spending a quiet moment with a child or grandchild in the Lodge telling them of your days on staff, the Rendezvous is a great time to step back, relax and have fun. If your calendar’s still open for the upcoming holiday weekend, please consider making the trip. We’ll see you soon.

Redeye,

Mike Holdgrafer
SAA President

SAA Polo Shirt Deadline is this Sunday, August 1st

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 04:05:34 GMT

This is just a reminder that Sunday, August 1^st is the last chance to order the SAA polo shirt. Then the shirts go into production! In addition, this deadline applies to the option of ordering the shirt when registering for the Rendezvous reunion.

This shirt is being offered once biannually. The base polo shirt price is just $25 – this includes the cost of handing and shipping the shirt to you. However, you can save an additional $5 per shirt when registering for the Rendezvous reunion by August 1^st.

Register for the Rendezvous reunion (Labor Day weekend) and order a SAA polo shirt for pick-up (and save $5)
Mail order a SAA polo shirt (shirts will be mailed to your home)

Hol-Ry! Canoe Voyage… Your day on the water. Are you coming?

Sun, 13 Jun 2010 06:41:26 GMT

Hol-Ry!

As members of the PSA, SBAFA, and SAA, you are extended the great privilege and opportunity to voyage by canoe into God's country -- no roads, no phones, no electricity, with only the few other humans who are willing to test their abilities. Worthy adventurers who seize this challenge will embark upon a grand adventure into the lands of the great north of this continent.

Pierre Radisson, who dared to traverse these lands in the 1600's, is reported to have said: "Out there we were kings, the richest men in all the world." You'll find that a trail sauna followed by a simple dip in the cool lake or a shower under a great waterfall will make you feel as though you are king of all that you survey.

You will brave winds, hear the call of the loon, explore new territory, and experience and do things you have never imagined were within your ability. For those of us fortunate to have been there before you, it is a return home that calls us to lakes and waterways of the great north. For the new adventurer, it is an experience never forgotten.

Join us on this Voyage August 28 to September 4 and you will have memories that last a life time.

-- Patrick Cox, Past President, Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association

Canoe Voyage...

Your day on the water

Hopefully, your socks are dry when you wake up. Breakfast is hot -- oatmeal and coffee -- maybe fish caught early and fried over a wood fire. Camp is struck, the huge Grey Whale canoe packs carefully packed and balanced. The food pack weighs 100 pounds. The gear packs are lighter, but just as hard to pack. Gear seems to expand a bit each day. The crew consists of a maximum of eight Voyageurs plus the Interpreter, three to a canoe. On a portage, one Voyageur carries the canoe, one Voyageur the gear, and one Voyageur the food or kettle pack.

When all is ready, a final look at the map and today's route, and last policing of the campsite -- Leave No Trace is the rule. Canoes are carefully loaded and checked for balance. Much of the day is on the water. The horizon is low, just a fringe of trees on the shore. The lowest point is usually a portage. A quick conference and study of the map: is that the right portage? Approach the shore carefully. Kevlar canoes are light, but easily swamped when one exits the canoe in too-deep water.

The shore is often rocky. Load and unload canoes in knee-deep water. Good wet boots are essential; jungle boots work well. The portage trail is measured in rods. One rod equals 16 1/2 feet. Maybe the only contact you'll have with another crew all day will be at a portage. The portage may be 50 rods, or 150. Some days there may be two portages, others 5. After a while, the crew develops an easy routine for portaging.

In the afternoon, paddle to shore to find a campsite. Most have a fire ring and open air latrine called a "grumper". Set up camp and lay out clothes and boots to dry. Fish for walleye, northern pike, lake trout, and bass. Explore, swim, or hunt for eagles with binoculars. Cook a one-pot meal for dinner, clean up before dark. More time to explore or fish.

When night falls, stare at the stars, look out over the water...

The Boundary Waters Wilderness Canoe Area is truly wild. It's changed little since the glaciers melted. There are over 1,500 miles of canoe routes, nearly 2,200 designated campsites, and more than 1,000 lakes and streams. After your first portage out of Moose Lake the first day, you won't see or hear an outboard motor. Even airplanes are prohibited from flying lower than 30,000 feet. You'll see bald eagles, and maybe moose. You might hear loons, grouse, and if very lucky, a pack of timber wolves.

"Wilderness is more than lakes, rivers, and timber along the shores, more than fishing or just camping. It is the sense of the primeval, of space, solitude, silence and the eternal mystery." --Sigurd Olson

Thank you to Rick Touchette of the PSA for writing this email and to Lee Huckstep of both the SAA and PSA for composing the previous emails sent. This concludes our email series about the 2010 Wilderness Voyage. We hope you can join us this summer, if not hopefully in 2012. Red-eye.

Checkout the Latest Northern Tier Promotional Video

Click the image below to watch the video in your Web browser.

Watch the video: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=626332183813

Questions?

Contact your facilitator below:

Registration

Registration deadline is July 1, 2010. Get the crew you want by recruiting your friends and Voyage-eligible family members and signing-up now!

Registration, $400 per person, can be done using the form below (Mail to: SAA -- Alumni Voyage, PO Box 428, Ely, Minnesota 55731-0428). Checks should be written to "Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc.".

Print the following registration form or download a PDF of the fact sheet and registration form.

Introducing: The SAA Polo Shirt

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 05:45:36 GMT

Hol-Ry!

By popular demand, it’s here: The SAA Polo Shirt! Perfect for wearing at a SAA event or work.

This short-sleeve polo is available in both Dark Green with logo embroidered in stone (khaki) and in Stone (khaki) with logo embroidered in dark green. Available in men’s (S-4XL, including tall) and women’s sizes (S-XL).

This shirt is being offered once biannually with an order deadline of August 1st. The base polo shirt price is just $25 – this includes the cost of handing and shipping the shirt to you.

Order your SAA Polo Shirt Today!

Hey! Going to the SAA Rendezvous Reunion over Labor Day weekend? It will be great fun, at a great price! Register in advance for the reunion and order your polo shirt at the same time to save $5 per shirt ($20 each). Pick-up your shirt when you check-in for the reunion. Register for the SAA Rendezvous and order your shirt today!

Red-eye!

Hol-Ry! The Rendezvous Reunion approaches.

Tue, 25 May 2010 04:40:12 GMT

Hol-Ry,

How long has it been since you heard that word, Hol-Ry, or even been around friends that knew what it meant? If it has been more than a couple of years then you are way past due for a Canoe Base Fix.

Labor Day weekend is quickly approaching and it is time for the "Rendezvous" reunion once again. You are thinking "quickly approaching"? It's true we haven't even celebrated Memorial Day yet. But if you don't reserve September 3-6 on your calendar right now for your trip Up North then before you know it the Rendezvous will be over and Thanksgiving here.

Rendezvous is for the whole family: In addition to your chance to revisit and explore what has changed at Northern Tier's Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base, there will be hands on activities including re-enactors of the fur trade era, tomahawk throwing, logging encampment, coopers, black smith, and much, much more. For the children (ages 10-15), on Saturday we will have an overnight stay at the North American Bear Center in Ely. On Saturday evening join us at the Grand Ely Lodge for the Rendezvous Banquet for an evening of activities and auctions. I even hear there will be a restored Seliga canoe on the auction block!

This is a time and the place where you can reconnect with your friends and meet their families. You can taste again what it was like to be able to step off the waterfront and leave the modern world behind even if for just and instant. The best part of it all, you have the opportunity to improve, embellish and downright stretch the truth a lot about your canoe trek stories to a different generation of listeners.

I invite you to come spend some time Up North. Hang out with old and new friends. Take a canoe out on Moose Lake and just exhale. Register online at www.holry.org. Get the word out to all of your friends and invite them to join in the fun. As always there will be a hot pot of coffee waiting for you at the campfire.

Red-Eye,

Allen Rench

To be a kid again... You gotta have the right gear!

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 21:18:21 GMT

To be a kid again…

You gotta’ have the right gear!

Paddling the Boundary Waters requires the right gear. Gear requirements for canoe country are unique. Some of this unique gear you’ll bring, most will be provided by the Northern Tier. In this e-mail we will continue your journey to being a kid again on the 2010 Alumni Wilderness Voyage by discussing the gear you’ll use when paddling the Boundary Waters August 28 – September 4.

Gear you will bring

     --Wet boots are boots that let the water that flows into your boots, flow out of your boots. You will need wet boots because your feet will be wet. You will get out of your canoe in knee deep water and you will get into your canoe in knee deep water. In addition, some of the portages will be covered with pools of knee deep water and mud. “Dry-footing” in canoe country is not an option.

Water sandals do not work and are not permitted by the Northern Tier. The most common injury in canoe country is foot and ankle injuries caused by sharp, slippery rocks. You will encounter lots of sharp, slippery rocks while getting into and out of your canoe, and on the portage trails as well. Water sandals do not offer the necessary protection.

The most recommended type of wet boots is American-made jungle boots—the imported jungle boots are poorly made and will not hold up. American-made jungle boots can be purchased at surplus stores or may be purchased directly from the Northern Tier.

Wet boots can also be made by taking an expendable, but still serviceable, pair of hiking boots and installing grommets along the in-step and out-step and around the toes.

     --Waterproof compression bags are highly recommended. These bags allow you to compact your personal gear and sleeping bag very tightly. This is important because you will be sharing a Duluth pack with 2 other Voyageurs, and if everyone is using compression bags, getting the personal gear into the Duluth packs will be easy.

Waterproof compression bags also offer the assurance that, in the event of a canoe swamping, your personal gear will remain completely dry.

     --Rain gear is essential, both for wind and rain protection. The Northern Tier does not allow the use of ponchos. They are dangerous because they make it difficult or impossible to swim in the event of a canoe swamping. You will need a lightweight rain jacket and pants. These can serve double duty as a second layer to protect against the cold.

For a full list of the personal gear you will need and to order forms for wet boots:

Gear the Northern Tier provides

     --Canoes (and your feet) are your only means of transportation in the Boundary Waters. The Northern Tier offers the choice of aluminum canoes or Kevlar canoes. There are advantages and disadvantages to each.

Aluminum canoes offer maximum stability and durability (they can take a few dings from submerged rocks) and make it easier for beginning canoeists to paddle in a straight line. The downside to aluminum canoes is that they are heavy—they weigh about 90 pounds—and you gotta’ carry them across the portages.

Kevlar canoes are light (about 60 pounds) and fast. The downside is that they are tippy, hard to control for beginning canoeists, and easily damaged by submerged rocks.

     --Duluth packs are issued by the Northern Tier for your personal gear. Each Duluth pack is shared by 3 Voyageurs. (This is easy if you are using compression bags.) Duluth packs fit well into the tight spaces of a canoe. Your personal pack will not work well. It will upset the distribution of the crew’s personal gear and will not fit well into the tight spaces of a canoe. Your pack frame may well get damaged if you try to stuff it into a canoe, or the canoe itself may get damaged.

   --Tents (four men) are issued by the Northern Tier. The four man tent is perfect for three adults. The use of personal tents is discouraged because the four man tents make the best use of limited tent space available in many campsites.

For a video view of Northern Tier gear, click the image below to watch the video in your Web browser (22 minutes). While the video dates from 1981, it gives a fairly accurate depiction of your gear.

Watch video: http://www.holry.org/essays/promotionalfilms/

“Out there we were kings…the richest men in all the world”. (Pierre Radisson, Voyageur, 1600’s, writing about canoe country.)

Questions?

Contact your facilitator below:

Registration

Registration deadline is July 1, 2010. Get the crew you want by recruiting your friends and Voyage-eligible family members and signing-up now!

Registration, $400 per person, can be done using the form below (Mail to: SAA – Alumni Voyage, PO Box 428, Ely, Minnesota 55731-0428). Checks should be written to "Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc.". Please also email us at XXXX letting us know your registration is in the mail.

Print the following registration form or download a PDF of the fact sheet and registration form.

Your name: ______________________________________________________
Phone #:________________________________________________________
E-mail:__________________________________________________________
Mailing address: ___________________________________________________

Additional registrants: (List age if registrant is under 18 years old)
Name: __________________________ Relationship to member: ___________ Age: ___
Name: __________________________ Relationship to member: ___________ Age: ___

Eligibility requirements: (1) Be a member of the SAA or Trek-eligible family member (2) Be a member of the BSA (3) Have a completed Northern Tier medical form (4) Be 13 years old by September 1, 2010.

Voyage-eligible family members: Spouse, child or step child, sibling, parent, grandparent, grandchild, niece, nephew or in-law of SAA, PSA or SBAFA member who meets eligibility requirements above.

Cancellation policy: (1) Cancellation prior to the registration deadline of July 1, 2010 will receive a full refund. (2) Cancellation after the registration deadline will incur a charge of $100.00, which will be contributed to the SAA General Fund, other amounts will be refunded. (3) In exceptional cases, the Executive Board can authorize full refunds for cancellation after the registration deadline.

Be a kid again... Discover your own "Up North"

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:14:29 GMT

Dear Voyageurs:

Kevin Dowling

Close your eyes and dream about the adventure that awaits you at the Charles L. Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base in Ely, MN. Northern Tier is the oldest of the three BSA High Adventure bases and was established in 1923. It is a diamond in the Northwoods of Minnesota -- a 1.2 million acre wilderness located in The Superior National Forest including the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area.

Sam Cook in his book “Up North” describes the area that surrounds Northern Tier best… “Each of us has an ‘Up North’. It’s a time and place far from here and now. It’s a map on the wall, a dream in the making, a tugging at one’s soul. For those who feel the tug, who make the dream happen, who put the map in the packsack and go, the world is never quite the same again.”

Be a kid again, come Up North, and bring your Voyage eligible family members. It is guaranteed that a part of you will always be “Up North” after you have been delivered a wilderness adventure that will last a lifetime by the Northern Tier staff.

- Kevin Dowling, Northern Tier General Manager and 2009 Exchange Program Participant at Philmont.

Be a kid again…

Discover your own “Up North”

In the first e-mail promoting the 2010 Wilderness Voyage of the Exchange Program of the SAA, PSA and SBAFA, we got you started on your journey to being a kid again. In this e-mail we continue that journey by discussing unique participation requirements for the Northern Tier, enticing itinerary options for your voyage, and offering you a glimpse of the remoteness you will enjoy with your crew as you discover your own “Up North” paddling the Boundary Waters August 28 - September 4.

“Every Scout a swimmer…”

Many of you will remember that phrase from when you were a kid. At the Northern Tier you gotta’ be able to swim – the water is deep.

Each Voyageur will be required to present a certificate of swimming ability. The requirements are:

Jump feet first into water over the head in depth, level off, and begin swimming.
Swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: Sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl.
Swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke.
The 100 yards must be completed in one swim without stops and must include at least one sharp turn.
After completing the swim, rest by floating.

This swim classification test can be certified by one of the following people: Aquatics Instructor, BSA; Cub Scout Aquatics Supervisor; BSA Lifeguard; certified lifeguard; swimming instructor; or swim coach. This includes your SCUBA instructor.

In addition to being able to swim, you need to be in shape. Paddling is strenuous, and you must be able to portage loads ranging from a 60 pound Kevlar canoe to a food pack weighing 100 pounds. (The food pack gets lighter as the voyage progresses.)

Those blasted medical forms

The medical forms for the BSA’s High Adventure Bases are similar, but each is also uniquely different. The only form accepted by the Northern Tier is the Northern Tier Class 3 Medical Form.

Just like when you were a kid getting ready for the Northern Tier, Philmont or the Sea Base, you must see the doctor first. One thing that is very different for the Northern Tier is that your physician is asked to evaluate you in light of the fact that, if you are injured or become sick, direct assessment and evacuation could take up to 12 hours. We don’t mean to frighten you, but when you are on the Voyage, you are really “out there”. Please evaluate your physical condition realistically and honestly.

Canoeing experience is not required…

…but it certainly is good to know fore from aft, port from starboard, a sweep from a j-stroke, and how to get into and out of a canoe without swamping.

If you do not have canoeing experience, at least pick up a copy of the Canoeing Merit Badge Book and read it several times. And if you get the opportunity to try out some of your book-learned skills in a real canoe, do it!

Itinerary options

To save you money, you will sleep in the United States. You can paddle, portage and eat in Canada, but when it comes to selecting your campsite, make sure you are in the United States of face stiff possible fines. This is the only restriction on your itinerary.

Your Voyage will start at the Charles L. Sommers Base on Moose Lake. You can make any itinerary you want, but popular itineraries include:

Bear Loop, 55 miles, goes to the northeast, and allows for lots of flexibility. Highlights include canoeing on the international boundary, visiting Dorothy “Root Beer Lady” Moulter’s island in Knife Like and bald eagles too-numerous-to-count on Ensign Lake.
Horse River, 55 miles, goes to the west by northwest. Highlights include canoeing on the international boundary, Basswood Falls, and some of the really big and famous Boundary Waters Lakes.

Campsites in the United States have the advantage of being equipped with a fire grate and a “grumper”, i.e. latrine. (Grumpers are far more comfortable than Philmont latrines.) Also, many of the portages in the United States have been nicely improved, some by Order of the Arrow Trail Crews.

Remoteness

“The Boundary Waters is wilderness: rugged, remote, and wild. I saw a wolf, before we even got to Ely. Bald eagles, loons, and grouse in abundance, but few people, no planes, no motors after the first day. I saw things as they were when my great-great grandfather was trading for John Jacob Astor and the Hudson Bay Company.

The landscape seemed eerie. On the water, the horizon is low and the sky is huge. You see the shore, and a thin fringe of trees is always the horizon. The dip in the horizon is the portage. You see water, rocks, trees, and sky. The Northern Tier gets in your blood and draws you back. One trip and you know you belong there.”

- Rick Touchette, 2008 Voyageur and PSA facilitator

Sneak peek

If your kid-like enthusiasm is growing, or you want to experience some of the remoteness described by Rick, click the link below and select “Ottertrack to Ely”. This video shows some of the “Up North” water paddled, and portages portaged, by prior Exchange Program crews. You may well paddle and portage there, too.

http://www.bwcacast.com/ottertrack-to-ely/

Questions?

Contact your facilitator:

Registration

Registration deadline is July 1, 2010. Get the crew you want by recruiting your friends and Voyage-eligible family members and signing-up now!

Print the following registration form or download a PDF of the fact sheet and registration form.

Reflections Newsletter Winter 2010

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:48:03 GMT

Hol-Ry!

Why wait to get the latest issue of Reflections via the mail? The new, full color Winter 2010 edition of Reflections is now on-line.

Click here to view it and catch-up on the news and stories

The print edition is on its way soon! Save trees by choosing to receive most newsletters and mailings online only. If you would not like to receive the print edition, update your profile by changing the option "Receive most newsletters and mailings by email only" to Yes. To update your profile, log-in using your email address and password at http://portal.holry.org.

Hol-Ry! Canoecopia is approaching.

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 02:13:52 GMT

Hol-Ry,

Please join your fellow alumni and friends at Canoecopia ("The World's Largest Paddlesport Expo") in Madison, Wisconsin this March 12th to 14th. Be sure to come visit the Northern Tier National High Adventure Programs booth.

This expo is a great opportunity to experience the wide world of paddle sports. Learn more about this event by visiting the Website at: http://www.rutabaga.com/canoecopia/

On Saturday at 9 PM, join us for an informal gathering at "Legends Sports Bar & Grill" (439 Grand Ganyon Dr, Madison). Upon arrival look around for the rambunctious Charlie Guides, as no advance arrangements have been made with Legends.

Register with the association to receive a roster of who plans on attending. This will be sent out Thursday morning. To be added to the online roster of who is attending immediately, click the checkbox "Include name in list of event attendees" when registering.

Register: http://portal.holry.org/events?eventId=123804&EventViewMode=EventDetails

Red-eye!

Be a kid again... Paddle the Boundary Waters

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:33:01 GMT

Be a kid again...

Paddle the Boundary Waters

While we are born with curiosity and wonder,
And our early years full of the adventures they bring,
I know such inherent joys are often lost...

I also know that, being deep within us,
Their latent glow can be fanned to flame again...

- Sigurd Olson

Sigurd Olson was an American author, environmentalist, Boundary Waters Wilderness guide and long time friend of the Northern Tier High Adventure Program. Olson understood well that as we grow older, the simple joys of our youth are lost, but he also knew that we can be kids again. And how do we become kids again? The same way Sigurd Olson did: paddling the Boundary Waters.

The Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association (SAA) is proud to host the Philmont Staff Association (PSA) and the Florida Sea Base and Friends Association (SBAFA) for the 2010 Canoe Voyage. The Voyage will embark from the Charles L. Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base nearly Ely, MN, just a few miles south of the Canadian border. This is the first High Adventure opportunity to be offered by the recently expanded Exchange Program between the SAA, PSA and SBAFA. The Charles L. Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base is the "grand-daddy" of the national High Adventure program and the headquarters of the three high adventure bases comprising the Northern Tier High Adventure Program.

Voyage basics

The Voyage will be August 28 to September 4, 2010. The cost is $400 per voyageur. The cost includes all Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness camping fees, trail food, Kevlar canoes, paddles, crew equipment, on-base lodging and meals, and Northern Tier Interpeter. You are responsible for your personal gear and for your travel expenses to and from the Sommers Base.

Voyageurs will form crews of up to 8 voyageurs and will travel under the guidance of a current Northern Tier Interpreter for the entire voyage. This will give each voyageur the opportunity to experience the current Northern Tier program and, if you are an SAA member or have been to the Northern Tier before, you can re-live the experiences of your past voyages – when you were a kid.

Voyageurs will sleep each night in the United States; hence citizenship documentation for travel in Canada will not be required. Sleeping in the United States also avoids the higher fees of the Quetico Provincial Park on the Canadian side of the border. However, you are likely to paddle in Canadian waters and eat some lunches in Canada – you just cannot sleep there.

Eligiblity requirements

Be a current member of the SAA, PSA, or SBAFA or eligible family member.
Be a registered member of the BSA.
Present a completed Northern Tier medical form.
Present a completed Northern Tier swimming certification form. Non-swimmers are not allowed.
Be 13 years old by September 1, 2010. (Note that to be registered, females must be 14 years old and have completed 8th grade or be 15 years old.)

Becoming a member of the BSA is straightforward: You register at your local Scout office by explaining that BSA membership is a requirement for your participation in an event at the Northern Tier, pay nominal fees and pass a background check.

Prior canoeing experience is not required. But if you do not have canoeing experience, pick up and carefully read (several times) the Canoeing Merit Badge book.

Eligible family members

You may bring your spouse, child or step child, sibling, parent, grandparent, grandchild, niece, nephew or in-law who meets the eligibility requirements above.

The Schedule

Saturday, August 28 – Arrive at the Charles L. Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base near Ely, MN before 5:00 PM. Meet your Interpreter and fellow/sister voyageurs for dinner. Begin your trip preparation and planning. Spend the night in on-base cabins.
Sunday, August 29 – Pack your personal and crew gear. Start your voyage!
Sunday, August 29 to Friday, September 3 ("on water" 6 days/ 5 nights) – Enjoy the peace and solitude of wilderness canoe camping with your fellow/sister voyageurs and Interpreter.
Friday, September 3 – Return to the Sommers Canoe Base in the afternoon for a sauna before dinner in the Dining Hall. After dinner, share trip experiences with the other crews.
Saturday, September 4 – Head for home with a Duluth pack full of memories or stay to participate in the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association Rendezvous Reunion! The Rendezvous highlight is a rambunctious banquet at the Grand Lodge in Ely which will include entertainment, silent auction and cash bar. For persons staying through to the end of the Rendezvous, a separate registration and modest fees apply.

Triple Crown Award

Upon completion of your voyage, you will receive the participant’s award of the Northern Tier. You will be one step closer towards the Triple Crown Award, the award given to those who have earned participant’s awards at all three of the BSA High Adventure Bases: Northern Tier, Philmont and the Sea Base.

Inspiration

Need some inspiration to jump start your journey to being a kid again? Click the link below. While the clothing and hairstyles may seem dated, the experience is timeless – just like you!

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC8lcpaCJVw

Questions?

Contact your facilitator:

Registration

Registration deadline is July 1, 2010. Get the crew you want by recruiting your friends and Voyage-eligible family members and signing-up now!

Print the following registration form or download a PDF of the fact sheet and registration form.

Hol-Ry, Season's Greetings

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 02:11:52 GMT

Photo: Justin Benedict, 2009 Staff - "Storm at sunset on Pickerel Lake"; Design: Doug Latimer

OKPIK winter adventure program gets mentions

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:04:55 GMT

For those who do not receive Boy's Life magazine, the September issue featured Northern Tier's Okpik winter adventure program. The magazine's Website has some great videos from the program featuring dog sledding, shelter building, and snowshoeing: http://boyslife.org/home/video/9742/winter-at-northern-tier/

The Outdoor Channel's "Scouting For Adventure" show also featured the program this season in its first and second episodes. Check out the Okpik episode trailer at http://www.outdoorchannel.com/shows/scoutingforadventure/videos.aspx

Are you a leader with a unit is interested in participating in Okpik? You are still in luck as there are plenty of openings! Check out the Website at http://www.ntier.org/OKPIK.html to learn more about the program. A list of available slots is also available (pdf document). If a slot is not available you may want to call (218-365-4811) as crew registrations are constantly in flux.

This is also the second year the "Webelos OKPIK Weekend" (WOW) program is being offered. This is a great recruiting opportunity for troops as it allows 1st and 2nd year Webelos to come along and participate.

Red-eye!

Northern Tier Staff Photo Competition Results

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:36:52 GMT

The Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association (SAA) Photo Competition Committee is proud to announce the winners of this year's Northern Tier staff photo competition. Each year we have noticed an increase in the quality of the entries making the selection process even more difficult. There were a wide variety of entries on a large number of subjects, great to look at but hard to make decisions! The winning images will be used for promotion of the SAA (including scholarship fund) and Northern Tier program.

After due deliberations and consultations here are the selections:

Award of Excellence and winner: John Schreiber - "Iris out bright"
Award of Merit and winner: Ashley Edmeades - "A whole new prospective/Sunset on Perch Lake reflecting into my guitar"
Award of Merit and winner: Justin Benedict - "Storm at sunset on Pickerel Lake"

You may view all the photo competition entries here.

Red-eye!

"Iris out bright" by John Schreiber:

"A whole new prospective/Sunset on Perch Lake reflecting into my guitar" by Ashley Edmeades:

"Storm at sunset on Pickerel Lake" by Justin Benedict:

Current Staff: Enter the 2009 Staff Photo Contest

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 02:50:54 GMT

Enter the 2009 staff photo contest online at http://contest.holry.org

Award of Excellence: $200 visa gift card
Awards of Merit (2): $100 visa gift cards

Deadline: September 15, 2009

Put your pixels up against the best! Entering is quick, easy and free!

Documents:

Photo Contest Information: http://holry.org/documents/PhotoContest_2009.pdf
Release form (if there are any recognizable people in the image, including yourself): http://holry.org/documents/PhotoContest_Release_Form.pdf

Girl Scout Base: Hibbing teacher remembered as a wilderness visionary

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 02:20:05 GMT

Butch Diesslin sends in a Duluth News Tribune story about Dorothy "Ma" Harry who took the first canoe trips with her Girl Scouts that evolved into the Northern Lakes Canoe Girl Scouts Canoe Base. Early on Harrys sought the advice from "Charlie Guides" at located at Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base including Butch:

http://m.duluthnewstribune.com/article.cfm?id=124419&tag=Outdoors

Learn more about the Northern Lakes Girl Scout Canoe Base at the Northern Lakes Canoe Base Alumni Association's Web site: http://www.paddleanimal.org/

Ten Years Later: The 4th July Incident (Boundary Waters Blowdown)

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:15:52 GMT

It is hard to believe it was ten years to the day the Boundary Waters "Blowdown" occurred; often referenced by alumni as the "4th July Incident".

On July 4th, 1999, Northern Tier staff was aware of an oncoming storm and while finishing lunch in the dining hall when the storm hit. The wind and rain was immense to the point you could not see out the windows. When the storm cleared staff looking out the glass pane window towards the dining bell finally realized the extent of the damage: "Wasn't there a large tree there before?". The Sommers base was left strewn with fallen trees and without power or phones. Likewise the eastern part of the Boundary Waters was also devastated with fallen trees. While equipment, portages, and campsites were left covered with trees amazingly injuries were minimal.

Below you will find links to material and photos describing the incident.

Where you on staff or in the Boundary Waters at the time? Post your memories below!

Red-eye!

Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association Newsletter Summer 1999
- Includes post storm photos of base
- Article: "July 4, 1999: BWCAW, Sommers Canoe Base, Hit by Destructive Winds"
- Article: "Alumni Work Project to help Base Recover from July Storm"
http://www.holry.org/newsletters/reflv9n2.pdf

Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association Newsletter Winter/Fall 1999
- Includes post storm clean-up photos
- Article "Give A Hol-Ry And They Will Come"
http://www.holry.org/newsletters/reflv9n3.pdf

Minnesota Public Radio: Mainstreet Radio Special - Boundary Waters Blowdown
- Listen to radio segments and view slide show (bottom). Includes interview with former Northern Tier General Manager Doug Hirdler.
http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/200007/28_mainstreet_bwca-m/

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: Boundary Waters Blowdown Pages
- Photos of damage
http://www.ra.dnr.state.mn.us/bwca/

Reflections Winter/Spring 2009 Newsletter

Sat, 23 May 2009 01:05:15 GMT

The Reflections Winter/Spring 2009 newsletter is now available. It's now in full colour! View it online.

This edition mentions a book report by alumni David Hyink on the book "Last Child In The Woods" by Richard Louv. The report may viewed here (pdf).

Adventure: Erik Simula's birch bark canoe voyage

Wed, 13 May 2009 00:40:07 GMT

Follow Erik Simula (and his dog Kitigan) on a 1,000+ mile, 4-month solo journey in his 14-foot birch bark canoes. His route (the "Arrowhead Journey") is from the mouth of the Pigeon River on Lake Superior to Duluth, up the St. Louis River, across the Savanna Portage, up the Mississippi River, down the Bigfork River, up the Rainy River, and back the border route to Grand Portage.

Erik Simula was on Northern Tier National High Adventure's summer and Okpik winter camping program staff from 1982 to 1984. In 1984 Simula paddled to Hudson Bay. Currently Erik is a Park Ranger at Grand Portage National Monument.

Blog: http://arrowheadjourney.wordpress.com

Map of Erik’s incredible journey: http://arrowheadjourney.wordpress.com/map-of-eriks-journey/

Erik was in the news today as he had to be rescued! http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/120070

Third Annual Alumni Wilderness Voyage June 12-19, 2009

Wed, 06 May 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Hol-Ry,

The Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc., and the Northern Tier National High Adventure Programs are sponsoring the Third Annual Alumni Wilderness Voyage from June 12 to 19, 2009. This is your opportunity to:

Re-Visit the canoe country in a Northern Tier "Crew"
Re-Connect with other former "Charlie Guides"
Re-Fresh your understanding of the Northern Tier canoeing program by experiencing it with a current Interpreter

Participants will be divided into normal sized Sommers crews of up to 8 participants, and will travel under the guidance of a current Northern Tier Interpreter for the entire voyage. This will give each participant the opportunity to experience the current Northern Tier program trip, to experience how current procedures differ from the past, and to re-live some of the experiences of past wilderness canoeing voyages.

Eligibility Requirements:

The Alumni Wilderness Voyage is an opportunity for members of the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association (SAA) or the Philmont Staff Association (PSA) - or a participating member's immediate family to be crew members on a 7-day canoe trip with a Northern Tier Interpreter. The Wilderness Voyage is open to 16 participants.

Wilderness Voyage Registration

Important: The registration deadline is May 31st!

The cost for the Wilderness Voyage is $450 per person. This fee includes: BWCAW camping fees, trail food, canoes, paddles, PFDs, packs, group equipment, on-base lodging and facilities use plus all of the on-base meals. Participants are responsible for their own personal gear and transportation to and from the Charles L. Sommers National High Adventure Base near Ely, Minnesota.

For further information or questions, contact Butch Diesslin at butchnlucy@frontiernet.net

Register now by using the mail-in form at: http://holry.org/documents/Northern_Tier_Voyage_2009.pdf

Red-Eye!

("Paddling at Sunrise on Duncan Lake" by Travis McCormick)

Hol-ry cow camp! Philmont trek is filling up!

Fri, 01 May 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Hol-ry cow camp!

Trek sales sizzle: 72% slots sold.

Philmont Scout Ranch allocated 60 slots for the coming Trek. As of May 1, 2009, 43 of these slots have been sold, or 72% of the total. This figure is phenomenal, considering that the “hot” month for filling Trek slots, May, is only beginning.

Eight of these slots of have been claimed by participants from your Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association!

If you are going to join these SAA participants on their 6 day, five night, portage, you need to act now. In theory you have until June 15 to register, but the Trek appears headed for a sell-out, and when the slots are gone, they’re gone.

Your SAA Trek at Philmont is scheduled from July 26 – August 1. SAA Trekkers are strongly encouraged to arrive at Philmont or other high altitude location by Saturday, July 25, to be eligible for better itineraries and adjust to the altitude. The Trek will be preceded by the Philmont Staff Association Annual Reunion and Meeting July 24-26, which you are welcome to attend. Your Trek fee includes the Reunion.

Trekkers will gather at the Philmont Welcome Center at 9:00 a.m. Sunday, July 26, hit the trail on Monday, and come off the trail Saturday, August 1. You will earn the Philmont Arrowhead Patch. Participants who have participated at the Northern Tier and Sea Base will be Triple Crown Award eligible.

You and your Trek-eligible family members will be required to present a completed Philmont Medical Form prior to hitting the trail. (This is a little different from the Northern Tier form.) Your Trek-eligible family members must be 14 years of age by January 1, 2009. You must be an SAA member and all participants must be registered with the BSA.

The cost of the Trek and Reunion is $375. You can send in your check using the form below. You can also register on-line, but there is an additional charge.

For further information, contact Lee Huckstep at hstp1@aol.com or Butch Diesslin at butchnlucy@frontiernet.net

Register now by using the mail-in form at: http://holry.org/documents/SAA_Trek_2009.pdf

(Baldy from Philmont's buffalo pasture, taken by Douglas Fasching)

Red-Eye!

Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc.

Greetings from Okpik!

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:00:00 GMT

The following is an update we received in early March but forgot to post (sorry!) from Vern Miller the Okpik Chief Interpreter a Northern Tier:

Greetings from Okpik!

Things have been going well this winter. The cold weather in November and December allowed for the lakes to freeze before any heavy snows came, which set us up for ideal conditions to go winter camping. Staff training began mid-December and the first crews arrived for the Holiday Stay program on December 27th. The trips were successful and were a good start to the season. We have a great staff on board who have been working hard and making several improvements around base.

We have endured a very cold and snowy season, but we are nearing the end. There are only two more weekends of program left for Okpik this year.

(Photo Description: Okpik Staff 2008-09 season, click for larger photo.)

The Okpik staff at Northern Tier also created their own snow sculpture at this year's Ely Winter Festival:

Northern Tier launches new online store

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:29:26 GMT

Northern Tier National High Adventure has launched a new online store similar to Philmont's "Tooth of Times Traders". Called the "Northern Tier Trading Post" the online store provides the opportunity to purchase most items available at the actual store located at the Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base. Previously it was only possible to purchase items in-person or by mail order. Items available for purchase include patches, jungle boots, maps, paddles, and clothing.

Visit the Northern Tier Trading Post by going to http://www.NorthernTierTradingPost.org

Looking back: Charles L. Sommers Promotional films

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 23:03:07 GMT

Looking back you can see what has and has not changed at Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base and the Northern Tier program over the years. Many of the buildings have been replaced and new bases have opened but the program to this day fundamentally remains the same. One of the best ways to see this is by viewing the old material about the program.

Last year Chuck Rose (staff 1980-85, 87-89) sent in a few films used to promote the program. The films include "A Canoe Expedition" (1950) and "By Pack and Paddle" (1981) with manuscript written by Base friend Bob Cary who has since passed away.

Be sure to view the films on our Web site. It's the far northland that's a callin' me away...

SAA page on Facebook

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:30:00 GMT

The Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association now has a page on Facebook. You can become a "fan" to spread the word about the association. Be sure to upload a few old photos or post on the wall too!

Become a fan by going to our page on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Charles-L-Sommers-Alumni-Association/45605194327

Recession relief from your SAA. 2009 SAA/PSA Philmont Trek.

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 00:39:25 GMT

Hol-Ry!

With the current economic recession expected to last through 2009, by mid-summer you will require relief from the economic gloom. This is where your Sommers Alumni Association provides the relief you need: The 2009 SAA/PSA Philmont Trek. What better antidote to recession blues!

Your SAA Trek is scheduled from July 26 – August 1. SAA Trekkers are encouraged to arrive at Philmont or other high altitude location by Saturday, July 25, to adjust to the altitude. The Trek will be preceded by the Philmont Staff Association Annual Reunion and Meeting July 24-26, which you are welcome to attend.

Trekkers will gather at the Philmont Welcome Center on the morning of Sunday, July 26, hit the trail on Monday, and come off the trail Saturday, August 1. You will earn the Philmont Arrowhead Patch.

You and your Trek-eligible family members will be required to present a completed Philmont Medical Form prior to hitting the trail. (This is a little different from the Northern Tier form.) Your Trek-eligible family members must be 14 years of age by January 1, 2009. You must be an SAA member and all participants must be registered with the BSA.

The cost of the Trek is $375. There is no additional cost for the Reunion.

Register now by using the mail-in form at: http://holry.org/documents/SAA_Trek_2009.pdf

For further information, contact Lee Huckstep at hstp1@aol.com or Butch Diesslin at butchnlucy@frontiernet.net.

Start your planning now. Get the boss to approve the time off. When late July comes around, put on your Microsoft Outlook “Out of Office Assistant” with the following message: I'm Trekking with the SAA at Philmont Scout Ranch where you can’t bother me!

Red-Eye!

Canoecopia is approaching.

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 00:34:25 GMT

Hol-Ry!

We thought you would like to know the world's largest paddling expo "Canoecopia" is coming up. This year it will occur March 13-15th at the Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wisconsin.

It's soon approaching and many of your fellow alumni and friends will be there. The Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association's very own "Charlie Guide" Chuck Rose will be presenting this year! Find out more about his presentation at http://www.rutabaga.com/canoecopia/speaker.asp?spid=269&year=2009

Be sure to stop by the Northern Tier National High Adventure booth to say "Hol-Ry!". Let Scout leaders know of this great opportunity to learn about the program.

Admission tickets are for sale at the door ($10/day or $15 for a weekend pass). 17 and under are free. Web site: http://www.rutabaga.com/canoecopia/

Want to find out who is planning on attending and more about a possible dinner gathering on Saturday night? Register with us and we will send out a roster the Thursday before the event. Let us know you are coming at http://portal.holry.org/events?eventId=33816

Red-eye!

Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. News

2025 Director Election Results

2025 Annual Meeting of Members

2025 Director Nominations

Board of Directors Vacancy Filled

2024 Director Election Results

2024 Director Nominations

Updated Articles of Incorporation

2023 Director Election Results

Board of Directors Vacancies Filled

2023 Director Nominations

The Reunion is Sold Out!

Last Chance to Register! 100th Anniversary Reunion - Claim Your Spot Now!

Our book “The Far Northland” is now generally available!

Join us for the Book Launch event of “The Far Northland”!

Volunteer Work Week Registration Closes on Thursday, May 11th

We’re now over 50% full for the reunion!

2022 Director Election Results

2022 Director Nominations

Will you name the next book about Northern Tier?

Volunteer for Canoecopia 2022!

2021 Director Election Results

2021 Director Nominations

Reunion & Banquet - Registration closes Sunday, August 1st! (No walk-ins this year.)

Keynote speaker announced for the reunion banquet

Ahead of past years, what is already over 40% full? It is the reunion!

Remembering Owen Gibbs

2020 Director Election Results

2020 Director Nominations

Current Staff: Academic Scholarship Deadline Extended to August 15th

2019 Director Nominations

Present to seasonal staff on “Seminar Day”!

Important: New Requirements to Volunteer at Work Week

Join us on #GivingTuesday

2018 Director Nominations

Reflections newsletter—Spring 2018

How young at heart are you? Find out this June!

Wanted: Alumni Recruiters

Reflections Newsletter Silver Anniversary Edition: Celebrating 25 years of service to Northern Tier

2017 Board Election Results

2017 Board of Director Nominations

Reflections newsletter – Spring 2017

Alumni Work Week

Northern Tier Booth and Alumni Dinner at Canoecopia (Madison, Wis.)

Director Election Results

Reunion Rendezvous and Banquet registration closes Monday, August 1st!

Alumni Work Week 2016

Recipients of 2015 SAA scholarships announced

2015 SAA staff photo contest results

Work Week: Join us for a northwoods break from your usual routine!

Check out the Summit

Reflections Newsletter - Winter/Spring 2015

Charles L. Sommers Lodge interpretive center update

"Campfire Dreams" by Réal Bérard to be auctioned at biennial banquet

Reflections Newsletter - Spring/Summer 2014

Head "Up North" for the 2014 reunion rendezvous

Alumni Exchange Program Trek: Are You Philmont’s 1 Millionth Camper?

Reflections Newsletter - Winter 2013/2014

Volunteer Interpreters Welcome in 2014!

Volunteers needed to staff Northern Tier booth at Canoecopia 2014!

Autumn Volunteer Opportunity at Northern Tier

WANTED: One or more persons willing to serve as Editor of Reflections.

Join us for seminar day at seasonal staff training

How young at heart are you? Find out this June!

2013 Alumni Work Week: Please join us for a North woods break from your usual routine!

Coral Reef Sailing: What to Wear?

2012 SAA Seasonal Staff Scholarship Program recipients

Ellen Amundson

Benjamin Anklan (David Hyink Scholarship)

Jordan Cecil

Collin Cooper (Butch Diesslin Scholarship)

Mark Dierauer

Robert Hinrichs

Adel Huemiller

Matthew Marshall

Heath McCasland

Joseph Mingrone

Bradley Parker

Benjamin Rutherford (Clifford J. Hanson Memorial Scholarship)

Trevor Santy

The Exchange Program: Participate in the Philmont Staff Association’s 25^th Annual “Silver” Trek at Philmont Scout Ranch