High Adventure - Camp Emerald Bay

RUGGED ADVENTURE

Rugged Adventures is geared towards those Scouts, aged 14-21, who want to deeper explore Catalina Island. Bike, hike, and canoe the West End of Catalina in our Rugged E program, explore the interior of the island from the West End to Avalon in our Rugged T program, or circumnavigate the island in a war canoe in our Rugged C program.

Check out the Rugged Leader Guide to answer most, if not all your questions about the Rugged Programs. If you have further questions, please email the Camp Emerald Bay Program Director at [email protected]. Visit our Forms and Documents page and Frequently Asked Questions to see other material to prepare for your visit to Camp Emerald Bay.

All participants must complete the BSA Medical Form prior to camp.

To register for Rugged Explorers, Rugged Canoe, or Rugged Trek you must first complete a Traditional Registration for the intended week of attendance. Once you have completed your Traditional Registration you will be able to add your preferred Rugged Adventure under the class selection section in DoubleKnot.

2026 Rugged Adventure Pricing

Rugged E
Week 1: 6/7/26-6/13/26
Week 2: 6/14/26-6/20/26
Week 3: 6/21/26-6/27/26
Week 4: 6/28/26-7/4/26
Week 5: 7/5/26-7/11/26
Week 6: 7/12/26-7/18/26
Week 7: 7/19/26-7/25/26
Week 8: 7/26/26-8/1/26

Rugged T
Week 1: 6/7/26-6/13/26
Week 2: 6/14/26-6/20/26
Week 3: 6/21/26-6/27/26
Week 4: 6/28/26-7/4/26
Week 5: 7/5/26-7/11/26
Week 6: 7/12/26-7/18/26

Rugged C
Week 7: 7/19/26-7/25/26
Week 8: 7/26/26-8/1/26

Explorers

Rugged ‘E’: As Rugged Explorers, you are challenged to experience a little bit of everything. You will lead your crew up one of the highest peaks on Catalina Island, soar down hills on a unique mountain biking endeavor, cruise through crystal waters in a canoe, and spend starlit nights on beaches around the island.

In Rugged Explorers, your adventure will start the moment you set foot on Catalina Island. Orientation and team-building activities begin your week as you and your fellow Explorers divide yourselves into boat crews. You will pour over maps and find your location and plan out the week’s activities. Your adventures will range from practicing route-finding techniques as you lead your crew to one of the highest peaks on Catalina Island, to flying downhill on our mountain bikes. You will kayak and you will cook. You will sleep under the stars. You will be rewarded with close friends and breathtaking scenery. You will explore your limits, and leadership’s limitless possibilities. At some point you will find yourself leader of the day. You will be assisted by our veteran staff to make decisions based on the Scout Oath and Law, such as putting together the logistics for your overnight war canoe trip to a deserted beach. Your ability to lead your peers will be honed using our ethical-decision making curriculum to accomplish the week’s activities.

Given the rugged nature of the Explorers program, it is important that all participants arrive in good physical condition. Your week on Catalina will be full of activities that are likely to tire even the strongest participant at some point. Be sure to prepare appropriately. There are many important personal items you must bring. Please be sure to pay attention to the required and recommended items in the “What To Bring Troop Gear List” .

Difficulty

Rugged Explorers is a physical and mental challenge designed for older Scouts. Participants will need to be able to hike, bicycle, kayak, and canoe for several hours at a time. It is likely that everyone will struggle at some point during their week, and often those who struggle the most gain the most from their experience. A moderate level of fitness is required of anyone wishing to participate in Rugged Explorers.

Age Requirement

Participants in Rugged Explorers must be 14 years old by the time they are participating in the program.

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Canoe

Rugged ‘C’: As Rugged Canoers you will navigate an eight-person war canoe through ocean swells and breaking surf on a canoeing expedition around the island. You will explore some of Catalina’s hidden snorkeling spots and lead your team past magnificent palisades for stunning panoramic views.

Pack your dry bags, organize your crew and set out on the canoe expedition of a lifetime with Rugged Canoers. Rugged Canoers is the ultimate in expedition education using the same ethics and leadership curriculum as Rugged Explorers but changing the scenery and the challenge. As Rugged Canoers you will navigate your crew’s eight-person war canoe through ocean swells and breaking surf, passing cliffs that are home to bald eagles and soar straight out of the ocean. You will stretch out on deserted beaches, get a good look at an endless horizon at Land’s End, and stop in or speed by the tourist destination of Avalon on your canoe expedition around Catalina Island.

In Rugged Canoers, you will be doing a lot more than canoeing; you will explore all Catalina’s famous snorkeling destinations and you will lead your crew on hiking trails to the island’s stunning panoramic views. As you make the grand loop of Catalina Island, you will be crossing dolphin migration routes, and if you’re lucky, you may just drop your jaw in awe as thousands of dolphins surround your boat and delight your eyes with their natural acrobatics. Given the rugged nature of the Canoers expedition, it is important that all participants arrive in good physical condition. Your week around Catalina will be full of activities that are likely to tire even the strongest participant at some point. Be sure to prepare appropriately. While most of the gear will be provided for your experience, there are many important personal items you must bring. Please be sure to pay attention to the required and recommended items in the “What To Bring Troop Gear List“.

Difficulty

Rugged Canoers is a physical and mental challenge designed for older Scouts. Participants will need to be able to canoe and hike for several hours at a time. While not quite as physically intensive as Rugged E, it is likely that everyone participating in Rugged Canoers will struggle at some point during their week. Often those who struggle the most gain the most from their experience. A moderate level of fitness is required of anyone wishing to participate in Rugged Canoers.

Age Requirements

Participants in Rugged Canoers must be 14 years old by the time they are in camp if they wish to participate.

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Trek

Rugged ‘T’: As Rugged Trekkers you will hike the Trans-Catalina Trail, starting at the most West End on Monday and making your way to the busy city of Avalon by Friday. The trail covers 38.5 miles and allows you a higher chance of seeing some of the Island’s wildlife not commonly seen in camp: bison, bald eagles, and Catalina Island fox. Participants must be 14 years old by the time they are in camp and must have completed the Rugged Explorers program prior to Rugged T.

Difficulty

Rugged Trek is a physical and mental challenge designed for older Scouts. Participants will need to be able to hike for several hours with all their gear on their back.

Age Requirements

Participants in Rugged Trek must be 14 years old by the time they are in camp if they wish to participate.

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History

Rugged Adventurers is geared towards those Scouts who want to explore the wider world through programs that challenge Scouts. Wander all throughout Catalina Island’s West End (Rugged E) and circumnavigate the island in war canoes (Rugged C). Geared to youth aged 14 to 21.

Catalina Island naturally lends itself to adventure. In fact, the history of Catalina is a history of human adventure. The Native American Pimu, Spanish pirates, ranchers, filmmakers, and the United States Navy have all called Catalina Island home at one time. Now you will explore this incredible island. Scouting has deep roots at Emerald Bay, the home of Rugged Adventurers. Camp Emerald Bay first gave Scouts an opportunity for adventure in 1925 and has been in continuous use ever since, except for when the U.S. Navy took over the site during World War II. The Navy returned to Emerald Bay by way of Dick Rice, who served as Camp Director of Emerald Bay in 1950. Just prior to serving as a staff member at Emerald Bay, Dick served with the Navy’s elite Underwater Demolition Teams, which are now known as U.S. Navy SEALs. Drawing on his experience as a commando, Dick helped to design a program involving beach reconnaissance, patrolling, and teamwork for older Scouts known as Rugged E. Over the years, the program elements have evolved, but the spirit of adventure remains.

All SCUBA participants (Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Divers, Specialty Diver, Hybrid Program) must complete the PADI Questionnaire before coming to camp.

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