A Boy Scout camp located near Mount Riley is functioning as envisioned, attracting scouts and other groups here as a staging area for activities like backpacking, ice-climbing and sea kayaking contracted through Alaska Mountain Guides.
AMG leases the camp, called Chilkoot High Adventure Base, from the Great Alaska Council Boy Scouts of America, June through August. AMG owner Sean Gaffney has seen up to 40 campers per night since June.
The camps started in 2013 and have been growing through word of mouth and advertising, Gaffney said.
Scouts, young students and private travel groups contract through AMG for mountaineering, backpacking, rock climbing, ice climbing, sea kayaking, whitewater rafting and other activities on custom-designed trips. They also travel in the region.
“The type of experiences they’re getting are unique in Alaska…unique in the world,” Gaffney said.
Groups who travel to Haines for CHAB camps often spend years fundraising for a trip of this magnitude. Gaffney said parents will sometimes join their children who attend because it may be one of the only opportunities they will have to experience Alaska.
Testimonies from Boy Scout and Girl Scout troop leaders on the camp website describe it as a “tremendous” and “magnificent” experience.
CHAB also offers several international trips to hike Mount Kilimanjaro, sea kayak in Baja, Mexico, and hike and raft in Ecuador.
A staff of over 100 outdoorsmen and women fluctuates and contributes to instruction. Boy Scouts have the opportunity to earn more than 15 merit badges and several international certificates for completing activities during the camps.
Gaffney said the focus is always on the takeaway from high-quality adventures that are not available other places. Response from past participants has been overwhelmingly positive, and programs have been very well-received.
Campers will stay at the Chilkoot High Adventure Base for part of their trip. The facility is not heavy on infrastructure, but a low maintenance cost has been critical to profitability, Gaffney said.
The land was donated by the Haines Borough to the Great Alaska Council Boy Scouts of America in 2012 and is leased by CHAB and the International Wilderness Leadership School. Gaffney said a shower house was built to make it a livable adventure base.
Greg Podsiki, Haines Venture Scout crew leader, was involved in the initial process to acquire the land from the state. He said he wished more local scouts would take advantage of the camps next year.
Primarily Boy Scout troops from the Lower 48 come up for the camps, bringing money into Haines.
While there are no current plans to expand the physical base, CHAB camp staff will continue to build and add to available activities.
“We’re proud to be offering the quality of programming that we’re able to,” Gaffney said.