Trek & Adventure Programs

An adventure program in the BSA refers to more advanced outdoor recreation, such as rock-climbing, backpacking, kayaking, and similar activities that are challenging and allow for personal reflection and growth. A trek program in the BSA is a program (usually an adventure program) where the participants are separated from the primary camp area for two or more consecutive nights.

With 1,665 acres and ~20 miles of trail on hand, the Mason-Dixon Trail System running adjacent to camp, nearby Rocks State Park, and the Susquehanna River on the doorstep, Broad Creek Scout Reservation has a long history as a popular destination for trek and adventure programs. The summer adventure programs at Broad Creek have changed over time, and will continue to change so we may offer programs that are most appealing to today’s youth.

Camp staff canoeing on the Susquehanna River
Potential Itinerary Locations
Broad Creek where it meets the Susquehanna River
Caving at the Wind Caves

Summer 2023: Project Wake

  • New to Broad Creek, Project Wake is the latest edition of Broad Creek’s trek programs. Campers will escape the main Broad Creek campus to kayak and explore locations along the 30 mile-long, 1 mile-wide Mason-Dixon and Lancaster County sections of the Susquehanna River.

Under the guidance of our adventure team, campers who register will participate in a kayak/canoe shakedown Sunday, before leaving camp to launch the experience on the Susquehanna River. Staff will remain with campers throughout the trek, ensuring safety and facilitating a reflective week of adventure! More details will become available over time, with complete details available in the 2023 Leader’s Guide.

Four sessions will open for registration in 2023:

  • -July 2nd-8th
  • -July 9th-15th
  • -July 16th-22nd
  • -July 23rd-29th

Planned activities and locations include:

  • -Kayaking and canoeing
  • -Hiking
  • -Caving
  • -Museums and interpretive site visits
  • -Scenic overlooks
  • -Scenic camping
  • Available to: Youth 13+ and adult leaders
  • Location: Broad Creek Backcountry, Susquehanna River

Each week of Project Wake will consist of at most two sister crews that will tackle the Susquehanna, typically one male and one female. Each crew will consist of 5-11 youth and adult participants (24 total per week), and will be accompanied by one 18+ trek guide in addition to that 11. It is highly recommended that campers attending Project Wake register as a unit, providing proper two-deep leadership. Each crew will need two 21+ adult leaders in addition to our staff to be able to launch. Venturers and Sea Scouts may participate as co-ed crews with appropriate adviser supervision.

Youth and adult leaders participating must pass their swim test as a swimmer and have the ability to row a canoe or kayak for long distances. An assessment will be done during the shakedown to determine campers’ ability to participate.

Info on Registering for Project Wake

Registration is simple, just enter into the Scouts BSA Summer Camp registration, register as youth and adult registrants, and sign up for either the "Project Wake - Female Crew" of "Project Wake - Male Crew" class during merit badge registration. It's important to remember that adults also must sign up for their respective "Project Wake - Adult" class to reserve their spot. Venturing and Sea Scout crews pursuing a co-ed crew should reach out to campingservices@baltimorebsa.org to set aside a scheduled crew as co-ed.

If more than two adults would like to register, the third adult for the given crew and those that follow will be put on a waiting list, and will be entered as participants on a first-come, first-served basis if any of the ten youth slots remain unfilled by June 15th.

Units that are only attending a trek program and are not participating in on-site programs do not need to reserve a campsite. Scouts from a unit attending the trek that do not wish to attend the trek and do not have their own separate two-deep leadership may register as a provisional scout for that week and attend merit badge classes with our provisional unit.

Although it's encouraged to register as a unit, individual youth and adults from units attending camp may register individually.

Registration is simple, just enter into the Scouts BSA Summer Camp registration, register as a youth or adult registrant, and sign up for either the "Project Wake - Female Crew" of "Project Wake - Male Crew" class respectively during merit badge registration. It's important to remember that adults also must sign up for their respective "Project Wake - Adult" class to reserve their spot.

If there are any crews where only individual campers register, June 15th will be the deadline for the campers attending to identify two 21+ adults for their crew (Broad Creek will do what it can to communicate and help leading up to this deadline). If appropriate adult leadership is not identified, that crew for that week will be cancelled and the attendees will have a choice to join the provisional unit that week and register for merit badges, receive a camp credit, or receive a refund.

If you or someone you know is 21+ and would like to volunteer as someone we can call if leadership is needed, please reach out to campingservices@baltimorebsa.org.

Campers who are attending camp by themselves (aka attending provisionally), and do not have a unit back at camp are welcome to register for Project Wake. Parents or unit leaders of youth attending camp provisionally are welcome to join the trek if there are spots available. Youth should still register as a "Provisional Youth", and adults should register as "Adult" .

If there are any crews where only individual campers register, June 15th will be the deadline for the campers attending to identify two 21+ adults for their crew (Broad Creek will do what it can to communicate and help leading up to this deadline). If appropriate adult leadership is not identified, that crew for that week may be cancelled and the attendees will have a choice to join the provisional unit that week and register for merit badges, receive a camp credit, or receive a refund.

If you or someone you know is 21+ and would like to volunteer as someone we can call if leadership is needed, please reach out to campingservices@baltimorebsa.org.

TIP: Attending Project Wake provisionally is a good opportunity to take advantage of our Second Week promotion that provides a discount to those attending Broad Creek for multiple weeks! See the main Scouts BSA page for more