Our Coureur de Bois Schedule and curriculum
are in redevelopment for our 2025 season.

We’re excited to share our new program when it’s ready!

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Coureur de Bois Program provides Scouts with an introduction to not only the opportunities available through our MSR High Adventure Base but also the skills needed to venture to the National Scouting High Adventure Bases! This is a fun and exciting alternative to the merit badge program. A Coureur des Bois (koo-rœr deh -bwah, French for “runner of the woods”) was an independent Voyageurs who traveled the untamed regions of the Northwoods looking for more furs. Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan High Adventure Base invites you to join the ranks of the Coureurs as you journey into the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Scouts who sign up as Coureurs will spend each day out on high adventures either within Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation or at locations throughout the Northwoods. Each day will bring a new adventure and new challenges. Participants in the Coureur des Bois Program will begin each morning after breakfast and rejoin their units at dinner. They will be able to take advantage of evening programs throughout camp! Coureur des Bois is open to Scouts age 13 and older.

information

Registration and Additional Fee: Interested Scouts are registered by their MSR Camp Contact (or as a Provisional Scout) for the week-long program. There is an additional program fee that must be paid online before camp. Click here to learn more about unit registration.

Program Details: Instead of taking merit badges or participating in programs offered at each sub-camp, Scouts will go on a local High Adventure trip daily. See the example schedule below. Overnight programs are available depending on the wishes of that week’s group.

Sample Program:*

Monday - The Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Expedition.  Participants will begin the day with an introduction on packing for a backpacking trek

Tuesday -  The Northern Tier Expedition.  Coureurs will get a taste of a canoeing adventure along the Wolf River. Although small portions of this trip will include gentle rapids, there are also calm portions of the river that Scouts will find relaxing.  Scouts will spend their afternoon at Bannard Lake, learning to portage, and setting up a hammock camp in Wabaningo.

Wednesday - The Summit Expedition. Participants will be shuttled to Jack Lake to experience a morning of fat tire mountain biking utilizing Langlade County’s renowned trail system.  This park boasts 12 miles of biking trails along changing woodland and wetland scenery. Scouts should come to camp knowing how to ride a bike.

Thursday - The Philmont Expedition. The morning will be spent on a unique Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan hike. The afternoon will be spent at the Triangle M Ranch. The Coureur des Bois Scouts will learn how to tack their horse in preparation for a cavalcade, and learn how to care for and ride these magnificent creatures.

Friday - Sea Base Expedition. Coureurs will begin their morning with a white water rafting expedition down a separate part of the Wolf River that is known for its rapids.  This will conclude their Coureur des Bois program for the week.

*Program specifics are subject to change