Area Attractions: Adventure Summit (MN State Fair)

The Northern Star Council, Boy Scouts of America will have an expanded ropes climbing course outdoor adventure activity for children at the 2013 Minnesota State Fair. The Boy Scouts Adventure Summit is a free, interactive ropes climbing course and featuring a new fireman’s pole activity located in the North Woods area of the fairgrounds. The course is available for boys and girls who are at least 36” tall and less than 250 pounds. It will be open from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. every day during the fair. The Adventure Summit is a smaller version of climbing and high ropes activities offered at the popular urban Scouting Base Camp at Fort Snelling, which opened in 2010.

Challenge elements include a cargo net climb, tremor bridge, swinging ropes, hour glass (X-shaped tightrope), swinging bridge, classic tightrope, cargo net traverse and a thrilling exit down a fireman’s pole from a 12–foot high platform. For a safe yet extreme high ropes course experience, all participants strap on a harness and click into an overhead track for the duration of their adventure.

I had a chance to interview representatives from the BSA to learn more.

How did the Adventure Summit get started?

After many years of having an informational booth inside the Education Building, our State Fair Committee wanted to find an outdoor space where we could showcase some actual Scouting activities. The committee received a grant from the Northern Star Council’s Innovation Fund to give the concept a try by leasing a climbing/ropes course from our National Organization and covering the other start-up expenses. The activity was called the Adventure Summit to reinforce the fun and adventure Scouting offers. It was so successful last year that the council purchased our own course for 2013.

 

How many people typically come through during the fair?

We had over 7,000 in 2012. We expect even more this year since the capacity of our new course is greater than last year.

 

I know there are height requirements - what are the typical ages of participants?

Most of our participants were elementary school age. They needed to be 48” tall in 2012, but with the improved rigging and harness system of our new course, they only need to be 36” tall. Participants still need to weigh less than 250 pounds.

 

How long does it take to set the course up and tear it down?

We are not entirely sure since it is a new course. We are setting it up this Saturday in time for a series of staff training sessions on the equipment. We expect that it will take a day to set everything up, which includes the climbing/ropes course and its elements, as well as fence coverings, split rail fence, storage boxes, lighting and signage.

We didn't go last year because the kids were too little, but I really want to see them give it a shot this year - especially my youngest, who is quite a monkey!

Northern Star Council, BSA is headquartered in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Council serves more than 72,000 young people in 21 counties across central Minnesota and four counties in western Wisconsin.