The Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. created the Triple Crown of National High Adventure Award in 1995, and later the Grand Slam of National High Adventure Award in 2014. The awards promote the Boy Scouts of America’s national high adventure programs and help identify those Scouts with a thirst for high adventure who may be interested in serving on the staff of Northern Tier High Adventure and other national high adventure bases.

The Boy Scouts of America’s national high adventure bases are: Northern Tier High Adventure, Philmont Scout Ranch, Sea Base High Adventure, and Paul R. Christen High Adventure Base (located at The Summit). 

In April 1996, Sam Wampler, then the Director of the Florida Sea Base, awarded the first five Triple Crown of National High Adventure awards to members of Explorer Post 525, from Edgewood, Washington.  

“100 Years of Eagle Scouts” by Joseph Csatari

“100 Years of Eagle Scouts” by Joseph Csatari

The Triple Crown of National High Adventure has gained significant stature over the years, making it one of the most highly sought program awards. It gained additional notoriety when Joseph Csatari portrayed the Triple Crown of National High Adventure on the Eagle Scout’s uniform in his “100 Years of Eagle Scouts” painting released in 2012.

Recipients may only earn each award once and receive an award patch emblem reflecting the national high adventure bases where they participated in a high adventure program. The symbols on the patch are a loon for Northern Tier, bull for Philmont, dolphin for Sea Base, and black bear for Paul R. Christen.

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Triple Crown of National High Adventure Award

The Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. in conjunction with the Boy Scouts of America have authorized the issuance of a special patch to honor those who have participated in at least one qualifying high adventure program at three of the BSA’s four national high adventure bases. 

Recipients of the award receive one Triple Crown (3-inch) award patch emblem reflecting the three National High Adventure Bases where they participated in a high adventure program. An optional large (6-inch) Triple Crown of National High Adventure Award patch is available for purchase. There is no limit on the variations and quantities that may be ordered of the large patch.

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Grand Slam of National High Adventure Award 

The Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. in conjunction with the Boy Scouts of America have authorized the issuance of a special patch to honor those who have participated in at least one qualifying high adventure program at all four of the BSA’s National High Adventure Bases.

Recipients of the award receive one Grand Slam (3.5-inch) award patch emblem. Both the Grand Slam of National High Adventure Award and Triple Crown of National High Adventure optional large (6-inch) patches are available for purchase. There is no limit on the variations and quantities that may be ordered of the large patch.