Sail aboard a 65 foot boat this summer on Lake Superior.
Three nights & four days of sailing the Apostle Islands.
Learn more about our ship, the Zeeto.
This four-day trip will not only provide unparalleled adventure but also serve as a powerful platform for leadership development, teamwork, and the acquisition of valuable skills and even merit badges. This isn't just a trip; it's a transformative experience. Scouts will spend four days and three nights
navigating the pristine waters of Lake Superior and exploring the stunning Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. This journey offers a truly distinctive high-adventure opportunity that goes beyond traditional camping or hiking.
Activities include:
- Active Sailing: Scouts will learn the basics of sailing a schooner, including knot-tying, navigation, and sail management, while actively participating in the operation of the vessel.
- Exploration: Weather permitting, the crew will explore sea caves, swim at secluded beaches, snorkel on a wreck, and visit historic lighthouses, providing an up-close connection to the region's natural beauty and history.
- Discovery: The limited cell service creates a chance for scouts to disconnect from technology and forge deeper connections with each other and their surroundings.
Skill Development and Merit Badge Opportunities
This program is more than a vacation; it’s an educational and skill-building opportunity. The hands-on nature of the trip directly supports the acquisition of critical scouting skills.
- Sailing Merit Badge: The sailing instruction and practical application on the water will allow scouts to complete the requirements for the Sailing Merit Badge, after a day of small boat sailing at Camp Phillips.
- Cooking Merit Badge: With the troop responsible for providing and preparing meals while on board, scouts can complete key requirements for the Cooking Merit Badge, fostering a sense of responsibility and self-sufficiency.
- Leadership and Teamwork: Scouts will work together as a cohesive crew, standing watches and operating the wheel, fostering vessel a sense of shared purpose and developing essential leadership skills.
Schedule
- Sunday- Camp Phillips Arrival. Attend Camp Orientation, opening programs. Sleep in your campsite with your troop.
- Monday- learn small boat sailing and prepare for your journey. Sleep in your campsite with your troop.
- Tuesday- Depart Camp Phillips immediately following breakfast. Provision and board ship in Bayfield, WI. Depart for sailing adventure
- Tuesday afternoon - Friday afternoon: sailing around the Apostle Islands. Sleep on board achored ship
- Friday night- attend closing Camp Phillips ceremony and sleep in your campsite with your troop.
Dates available 2026
- Session 4: 7/5-7/11
- Session 5: 7/12-7/18
- Session 6: 7/19-7/25
See up to date availability here.
Crew Requirements
- Full Crew: 6 youth & 2 Adults
- Half Crew: 3 youth & 1 Adult (If another crew does not fill the ship, your trip may be cancelled).
- Provisional crew: with enough youth interest, we may have one session of provisional sailing, where the Chippewa Valley Council will provide adult leadership.
- All on board must pass Swimmers Test
- At least one adult must have Wilderness First Aid
- At least one female adult must attend if youth females are attending
- All adults must pass a Coast Guard required drug test.
- Youth must be at least 13 years of age
- An experienced Captain will be on board.
Logistics
- Cell phone service is limited after departing the marina in Bayfield, but the Coast Guard can be reached in the event of an emergency via VHF radio.
- Troops are responsible for providing their own transportation to Pikes Bay Marina in Bayfield.
- Troops are responsible for provisioning and preparing their own food from Tuesday dinner through Friday lunch.
- The Zeeto has a full galley with stove, oven, grill and refridgerator.
Fees
- A $50 per person deposit is due upon making the request.
- Trip cost camp fee plus $175 per person (including above deposit)
More information will become available. A webinar for confirmed participants TBD.
If interested, please fill out form below before April 1st, 2026.
