Event Date Updated 8/7/24 will take place on May 31st 

HIGH ADVENTURE TEAM 
Desert Awareness & Astronomy Awareness Courses 

This course is designed for those individuals who wish to learn about the excitement that desert activities can add to your scouting program. It is an opportunity to build on your HAT outdoor skills and leader training, expand your knowledge of challenges in the desert and develop the confidence to safely hike, backpack and camp with your unit in the desert.

Subjects covered include: Building solar stills, geology, plants, animals, weather, health & safety, appropriate food, and all the other things you need to know in order to plan and conduct a safe, rewarding outing in the dry, hot(and cold) desert. 

The Astronomy course includes: Navigation; star, planetary and constellation finding; how to use binoculars and telescopes for sky gazing; dark sky locations; and major annual celestial events. 

Who Should Attend:

Any BSA registered adult who has completed the High Adventure Basic Backpack Awareness Course. (Blue Card). Scouts and Venturers may attend Astronomy. 
May 31st, 2025,  7:30AM Start 

You are welcome to arrive Friday night to avoid early morning travel. Campsites are first come (no reservations). There will be a beautiful hike up and along one of the Red Rock ridges in camp first thing so please, be on time. 

Astronomy Awareness will begin in the evening (Start approx. 7:30 PM I Done by 9:30 PM). Bring your binoculars (not required). The HAT Astronomy strip can be earned in this course, including Scouts and Venturers.

You may do the Astronomy Awareness course, separate from Desert Awareness. 

Where:

Red Rock Canyon State Park I On Highway 14, (25 miles north of the town of Mojave) 

Required to Bring:

Field and Utility Uniforms. Saturday lunch, dinner and Sunday breakfast, A & B medical forms, camp chair, proper clothing (hot days, cold nights), writing instrument, compass, medications, sunscreen, 10 essentials, canteen, daypack for day hike, stove, cook kit & utensils; tent and sleeping gear if staying overnight. If you stay overnight and help our service project, you can earn the Red Rock Canyon Award. 

WATER! You will need to carry all the water you need for drinking, cooking and washing with you. No water is available at the camp sites. Potable water is available at the Kybo's. 

Registration Cost:

Desert and Astronomy: $35 I Astronomy only: $10 

*Campsites are first come, with a fee of $25 per site, per night for one vehicle. Additional vehicles are $6 each. Day use parking is $6. All camping and parking fees are collected by the ranger. There is potable water, pit toilets and fire rings. Bring your own firewood. Campsite fees are subject to change by CA State Parks.