Frequently Asked Questions
When is camp this year?
Wednesday, July 9 to Saturday, July 12, 2025. (See the schedule for more detailed information.)
Where will camp be located?
Basecamp will be at Caledonia State Park, with activities taking place at Gettysburg National Military Park, the Michaux State Forest, Catoctin Mountain Park, and the Great Allegheny Passage Trail. (See locations and directions for more detailed information.)
Who will I be with?
You will be organized into teams of 8-10 young men and 2 adult leaders from wards and branches across the stake. During registration, you will rank your preference for your Thursday activity to go rock climbing, cycling, or hiking and fishing. First-year campers are encouraged to choose hiking and fishing as their activity, but will not be excluded from cycling if they are capable of ~50 miles of biking. Rock climbing will be reserved for older campers.
Adult leaders from the Reading Stake with medical training will be with all of the groups. (Names of specific leaders will be available on this page once registration closes on May 1, 2025.) We have identified a number of different hospitals and urgent care centers throughout the area on our map of locations.
How do I complete the BSA swim test?
All young men should be able to complete a BSA Swim Test at either the Swimmer or Beginner level:
- Swimmer: Swim 100 yards total. The first 75 yards should be freestyle, breaststroke, or similar stroke, with a final 25 yards of backstroke.
- Beginner: Swim 50 feet total. Swim 25 feet, turn sharply, and return to where you started.
The purpose of this swim test is to identify struggling swimmers so that we can keep track of them and keep them safe on the water, not to exclude them from the activity. The stake does not collect an official certificate of completion for the swim test. Wards and branches are encouraged to organize a day to conduct the swim test.
What about young men with physical or other limitations?
Young men with limitations that might prevent them from fully participating in High Adventure are welcome to join us at at Caledonia State Park on Wednesday for team-building activities and a devotional, and on Friday at Gettysburg National Military Park. Based on the nature of the young man's limitations we may ask that a parent or designated adult leader plan to accompany them one-on-one for these activities.
What do I need to bring?
See the packing list for specifics. Please note that there are different packing lists for the different activity groups.
How can I prepare to deal with sunburn and dehydration?
To prevent sunburn and heat exhaustion, use sunscreen, wear a hat, and wear a lightweight long-sleeve shirt and long pants. It may seem ridiculous to wear long pants in a canoe or on a hike, but lightweight long-sleeve shirts and long-pants will provide the best protection from the sun. To prevent dehydration, drink a lot of water! Be sure to have at least 2-3 liters of water with you at all times. Plan to drink one-half to one quart of water every hour.
What about sleeping arrangements?
We will be sleeping in tents, which will be provided by the stake and by the individual wards/branches. (If you have a 6-, 8-, or 10-man tent and are willing to loan them out for the week please let us know!) If there are concerns that would necessitate your tenting alone or tenting only with immediate family members, please let us know when you register. We may ask you to provide a tent of your own in order to accommodate this request. Adults will not be sharing tents with youth who are not their own children. Young men who are 18-years-old at the time of camp (turning 18 before July 9) will tent with other 18-year-olds.
What about bathrooms and showers?
There are public bathrooms and showers available at the Caledonia State Park.
How will we accommodate food allergies and dietary restrictions?
- You will need report any allergies or dietary restrictions when you register. If you did not do so at the time, contact Ed Whitley at whitley@lehigh.edu or 484-767-2735
- High Adventure medical personnel will review all registration forms and make recommendations to
the food committee based on the allergies and dietary restrictions of participants.
What is food preparation like at camp?
We will be cooking most of our meals together. Based on your activity schedule for the day, you may be asked to help with cooking, cleaning, or other food set-up.
May I bring food from home?
Yes! Please keep all food from home in a compact (2-gallon Ziploc bags or smaller) and labeled bag.
How do I pay the $150 for my son?
The stake will be paying for the majority of the expenses, but there will be a $150 contribution per young man that families and/or wards will be responsible for paying. The stake will request $150 per young man directly from your ward account, so work with your ward clerk and bishopric to ensure that these funds are in the appropriate account. Dads and adult leaders attending High Adventure are not expected to pay, but contributions toward the High Adventure fund would be appreciated and can be made to the same ward account.
May I bring my cell phone?
Cell phones are welcome if you would like them for pictures, scripture reading, etc. If you decide to bring a phone, please keep in mind the following:
- We cannot guarantee good cell coverage in all activity locations.
- You are responsible for the phone. It may get damaged or lost. Considering the terrain, it will be difficult to locate if dropped. Be sure to pack your phone to avoid getting damaged in the water and dirt. We recommended that you do not take your phone with you during the river trip.
- If you don't bring a phone, all adult leaders will have the means for communicating so you may approach them at anytime with a communication need. (Parents: All of the adult leaders for the activity are listed on the Adult Leaders page of this website; you can contact them directly at High Adventure if you need to communicate with your son.)
- We will expect you to minimize your cell phone use, to maintain the standards in For the Strength of the Youth regarding media consumption, and to be respectful of others who have come to come to get away from excessive use of electronics.
Please direct any additional questions to whitley@lehigh.edu
