Day 2 Update: Scouts Begin Adventures in MN
Day 1 Update: Camp Wilderness Welcomes Northern Tier Scouts and Scouters
Over the past 24 hours, Camp Wilderness has transformed into a temporary home for Scouts, Scouters, volunteers, and staff evacuated from Northern Tier High Adventure Base in Ely because of the ongoing wildfires in northeastern Minnesota. We’re grateful to share that everyone is safe.
According to Scouting America, Northern Tier has fully evacuated its facilities, all crews have been safely removed from the Boundary Waters and accounted for, and there have been no injuries associated with the evacuation. While wildfire conditions continue to be monitored closely, the Northern Tier Ely property is not currently under immediate threat. The call for help came Monday. By Tuesday, Camp Wilderness staff and volunteers had cleaned and prepared facilities, stocked supplies, and ordered the paper products and other necessities needed to welcome hundreds of unexpected guests.
The first crews began arriving around 4:30 p.m., and our kitchen staff had dinner ready to serve by 6:00 p.m. Scouts, leaders, and Northern Tier staff continued arriving throughout the evening. At approximately 9:00 p.m., Northern Tier leadership received confirmation that the final wilderness crew had safely reached base camp and was on its way to Camp Wilderness. Every participant was accounted for.
Today, Camp Wilderness is hosting nearly 200 participants at Cub Camp, including approximately 75 Northern Tier staff members. Our team has continued supplying meals and other essentials, while the Camp Wilderness Trading Post has been converted into a commissary to support Northern Tier operations. Their administrative team and medical staff have established temporary workspaces, allowing them to continue supporting participants throughout the evacuation. This morning, Northern Lights Council volunteers and staff met with Northern Tier leadership to coordinate canoe routes on the Mississippi River, allowing crews to continue enjoying meaningful outdoor experiences while relocated.
How You Can Help
While we’re honored to provide a safe place for our fellow Scouts, caring for hundreds of additional people comes with significant costs to our council. Meals, lodging, transportation, logistics, supplies, and the many behind-the-scenes operational needs required to respond to an emergency are expected to total between $10,000 and $15,000 each day.
If you would like to support these efforts, donations can be made through our online giving page. Please include the note “For Northern Tier Wildfire Relief” with your gift. Checks may also be mailed to:
Northern Lights Council
4200 19th Ave. S.
Fargo, ND 58103
Please write “For Northern Tier Wildfire Relief” on the memo line or include it in an enclosed note.
Contributions will support the care of Scouts, volunteers, and staff relocated from Northern Tier High Adventure Base to Camp Wilderness. Donations will help cover Camp Wilderness’s expenses such as lodging, meals, transportation, logistics, and other related operational costs. Funds raised will be used to offset both direct and indirect costs incurred by the Northern Lights Council in providing a safe and effective response.
The generosity of our Scouting family has always been one of our greatest strengths. Thank you to everyone who has already reached out to help. Your support is making it possible for Camp Wilderness to provide a safe, welcoming home away from home during this unexpected situation.
We’ll continue to share updates as the week progresses.
