Chapter 04
The paperwork
Boring? Yes. But show up without it and you don't get on the water. Print everything — base internet is reserved for operations.
Boring? Yes. But show up without it and you don't get on the water. Print everything — base internet is reserved for operations.
All of the following must be uploaded to the online roster portal before arrival — and carried on paper.
Each crew must show proof that one adult is currently certified in CPR and one adult is currently certified in Wilderness First Aid. WFA is a 16-hour in-person course; Northern Tier typically offers it in December and April.
At least one adult leader per crew must have training in each of: Safety Afloat, Safe Swim Defense and Hazardous Weather. All available free at my.scouting.org.
Every adult leader must show proof of current Safeguarding Youth training — certified within the past two years. Northern Tier strictly enforces this.
All participants — youth and adult — must have successfully completed the Scouting Swimmer's test and have it recorded on the official swim classification form.
Complete, and current within 12 months of the trip (ideally within 30 days). The doctor signing it must review the Northern Tier Risk Advisory included with the form. No other form is accepted. Height and weight requirements must be met.
Complete the screening questions before you leave home. If any participant can't pass the screening, they cannot come on the trek.
Northern Tier fees include accident and sickness insurance covering your travel to and from the base as well as the expedition itself. This policy is secondary to your family policy — put your insurance company name and policy number on the Annual Health and Medical Record, and include a copy of the insurance card.
Northern Tier strongly recommends purchasing trip insurance to help cover travel-related losses from cancellation or illness — remember, all Northern Tier fees are non-refundable.
| Document | Where to get it |
|---|---|
| Annual Health and Medical Record | scouting.org/health-and-safety/ahmr/ |
| Swim Classification Record | scouting.org (form 430-122) |
| Safeguarding Youth, Safety Afloat, Safe Swim Defense, Hazardous Weather | my.scouting.org — direct links |
| Guide to Safe Scouting / YPT policies | scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/ |
| Campership application | ntier.org/resources/parentinfo — due January 31 |
| Health forms system | Northern Tier uses CampDoc. Provide a real email and phone on the roster. |
Report dietary needs on the roster form in events.scouting.org, and provide a direct email and phone number — Northern Tier's food service staff will contact the participant or their parents directly through CampDoc.