CPT Credential Hike Program Program Rules

The guiding philosophies of the Chief Pontiac Trail are the Wilderness Creed and the BSA Outdoor Code. Together they codify respect for the wilderness as a shared resource. Make them your guiding rules while on the Trail:

In other words, "Camping without a trace" is the back country ethic now endorsed by the BSA and the CPTC. Common sense is still the best rule and safety must be the first consideration in all planning. The following rules are listed as reminders, or to clarify specific situations. They summarize the information in this manual in seven (7) categories:

Contents:

Basic Credential Hike Requirement

1. Throughout this manual reference is made to "hikers", and to "participants". A hiker is a person applying for and attempting to earn the credential medal. Participants are other persons in the crew who are NOT attempting to earn the credential medal. Participants may apply for and be awarded the PIONEER patch to recognize participation on the trek.
2. Youth "participants" must be a physically and mentally fit and registered Scout, or Explorer member of the BSA, otherwise at least 11 years of age.
3. BSA youth "Hikers" must be First Class rank or above; all other youth must be at least 13 years of age and meet the equivalent of BSA First Class rank requirements in relevant skill areas.
4. Written permission specific to the Credential Hike must be obtained for each minor, whether participant or hiker, and carried by the responsible adult leader during the Trek and any transportation to or from the Trek site. Permission slips should include authorization to seek emergency medical treatment and include any allergies, known drug reactions, current medications or other complicating factors.
5. Each Hiker must complete an essay of at least 300 words on the life of Chief Pontiac and his people. Essays for OA Treks may be on an Indian culture/history topic related to the namesake tribe of the sponsoring OA Lodge as determined by the Lodge subject to CPTC approval. Essays are to be handwritten in ink, typed or computer generated (no pencil). Essays must have the author's name and Unit number/Council at the beginning and signature at the end. Reports must include a bibliography. The Scoutmaster or adult Hike Leader should initial the essay by the signature to indicate that it has been reviewed. Refer to the CPT Report Requirements for more information.
6. Essays must be submitted with the Unit's Application Form at least 45 days in advance of the Hike date as part of a group submission that includes all necessary forms and initial fees for all participants.
7.  The Credential Hike must take place over two (2) consecutive days, with one (1) night backpack camp in between or, optionally, a one (1) day Hike with a backpack camp at the end of the day.
8. The outing must cover the full 16.7 miles of the Chief Pontiac Trail as currently designated (8 miles for the winter credential). This may be accomplished in two ways:
   a. hike the entire Trail over two (2) days, starting at either end, with your overnight camp at the Pines Campsite, Proud Lake SRA, or in one (1) day with your camp at either end of the trail. A total distance of 8 miles is allowed for Winter Experience Option Treks.
   b. hike at least 6.2 miles of the Trail and canoe the Huron River between Proud Lake SRA and Kensington Metropark. You could Hike from Highland SRA or Kensington MP to Proud Lake SRA and canoe downstream to Kensington or Hike from Heavner's Canoe Livery to the North Boat Launch in Proud Lake SRA then canoe to Kensington MP group camp, and hike back to Heavner's after an overnight camp at Kensington MP. You may have your canoes delivered to your starting point and picked up at your ending point.
   Each Unit must be self-supporting for the entire duration of the Trek. Hikers may not receive outside assistance.
   a. No food or beverages may be purchased along the Trail; water must be carried or obtained from pumps in campgrounds (recommended) or collected and treated with equipment carried by the crew.
   b. No motor vehicle, pack animal or other transport assistance of equipment, food or personal gear is permitted during the Trek;
   c. All fuel used for cooking must be carried; do NOT gather firewood; firewood placed at destination campsites CANNOT be used for cooking or cleaning; Exception: woodburning pack stoves may be used.
   In the case of a Canoe Experience Option Trek, the Unit must make arrangements for canoes with one of the canoe liveries in the area. The Unit bears the cost for canoe rentals.
9. BSA units must hike in appropriate uniforms, such as the activities uniform. Other units are encouraged to hike in uniform if their program includes one. However, all participants must be dressed appropriately for the season and daily weather conditions. Scout T-shirts, shorts and hiking boots would be suitable for warm weather events, for instance, while long underwear and wool pants and shirts with rain gear might be needed for early spring or late fall hikes; winter hikes require special equipment and skills.
10. All Hikers must write a report of at least 250 words on their trail experience and make a map sketch of the route taken. Reports are to be handwritten in ink, typed or computer generated. Maps may be sketched while on the Trail and may be in pencil, if legible, or recopied in ink (preferred). Reports must have the author's name and Unit number/Council at the beginning and signature at the end. The Scoutmaster or adult Hike Leader should initial the report by the signature to indicate that it has been reviewed.
11. The individual "Official Map Credential(s)" with Trail Experience reports and Map sketches attached must be submitted as a group along with final fees and the completed CPT CHP "Program Fees and Recognition Items Order Form" within 60 days of completing the Credential Hike and at least 45 days prior to any Court of Honor or awards ceremony.
12. Chief Pontiac Trail Credential Hike Medals will be awarded at a Court of Honor or other awards ceremony to all Hikers who successfully complete all of the above requirements and are in compliance with the remainder of the rules. Contact the CPT Committee to make arrangements for the presentation.
13. Participants who are unable to complete the Trek due to Injury, illness or other reason may hike again at a later date (with their Unit or another one) without repeating the Chief Pontiac essay. Their original essay will be returned to them with an approval signature and a note indicating that it can be resubmitted. This original essay should be retained and resubmitted, with the note still attached, as part of the next Hike submission. Approved essays resubmitted without the required note will be rejected.

Special Rules for Winter Treks

The winter trek has a shorter route of a minimum of 8 miles and temperature requirements of a high of 44 degrees farenheit during the day time and overnight temperatures must be below 32. If your unit has plans for a winter trek and the weather does not provide these conditions, you may try to reschedule your trek and hope for better winter weather, or do a regular 16.5 mile hike instead. Note that the calendar may be full and a rescheduled winter trek may not be possible.

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Park Rules

Observe and obey all park rules, regulations and ranger instructions; obtain all required permits and pay all required fees.

Leadership Supervision, Crew Requirements

1. Crews must meet the policy of the BSA that trips and outings may never be led by only one adult. Two registered adult leaders or one registered adult leader and a parent of a participant, one of whom must be 21 years or older, are required for all trips or outings.
2. Non-BSA organizations must meet the BSA leadership policy as stated in "a" above, and may have additional leadership requirements.
3. The responsible adult leader must have valid written permission specific to the Trek for each and every minor participant in his/her possession at all times during the outing, including medical insurance information; a release for emergency medical treatment notarized within the last six (6) months is highly recommended.
4. The minimum crew size is four (4) and the maximum is 12, no exceptions, including the minimum of two (2) adult leaders. Crews must have at least one (1) youth Hiker. Larger groups should split into multiple crews with staggered departure times. The Philmont Scout Ranch rule of 7 to 12 crew members is an excellent guideline.
5. Under no circumstances may any Unit undertake any Trail activity without the necessary leaders present. Leaders must not leave their group except to deal with emergency situations in which case one leader should remain with the group or the entire group should pull out. Failure to provide the required leadership could result in the Credential Medals not being awarded.
6. BSA Units must secure local or national Tour Permits as required.

 (Webelos Scouts may NOT participate in the Credential Hike Program.)

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Safety

1. The adult Hike Leader of each crew should carry a written copy of the name, phone number and location of the nearest medical facilities. For most CPT activities the nearest facilities will be in Milford, Michigan with the nearest full service emergency center at:
   Huron Valley Hospital
   1601 East Commerce Rd. (between Sleeth and Commerce roads)
   248-360-3300
2. Each crew must have at least one person trained in First Aid, such as the First Aid Merit Badge, First Aider or Red Cross training. Each crew should carry an adequate first aid kit in addition to individual first aid items. With the elimination of the First Aid Merit Badge requirement for the BSA First Class rank, crews will need at least one Scout that is Star or above, unless one of the leaders has specific first aid training.
3. Sheath knives and hand axes are not recomended. Scout/Swiss Army style and lock back style knives are all you will ever need.
4. All Units must have a minimum hiking party of four (4) persons. In the event of an illness, one person can stay with the injured party while two others go for help, ensuring that help is obtained, NO EXCEPTIONS.
5. Hikes must be planned to avoid travel during marginal twilight or after dark.
6. BSA crews must employ the Safe Swim Defense program whenever Scouts are in or near the water.
7. All crews must use Personal Flotation Devices (PFD's) for all canoeing operations and water activities other than swimming in approved beach areas. PFD's must be worn by each and every crew member while engaged in canoe activities and on or near the water.
8. There is a recommended maximum of two (2) persons to a canoe plus gear.
9. BSA Units must file a Unit Float Plan for any boating activity. Crews must have one or more members trained in water safety and rescue/lifesaving. It is recommended that Units undertake Canoe Experience Option Trek only with older participants who are strong swimmers as evidenced, for instance, by having earned the Swimming Merit Badge (or equivalent).
10. Never enter the water with your pack on and the waist belt and chest strap hooked. You must be able to shed your pack quickly when crossing water.
11. Take extra precautions when hiking during hunting seasons as portions of the DNR properties are open to public hunting. Know the open areas and seasons. Dress in blaze orange, sing or make other distinctly human noise while on the Trail (contrary to the normal Trail courtesy) or avoid the areas open to hunting.
12. Crews sustaining injuries or illnesses while on their Trek must report the situation to their organization and to the CPT Committee at the earliest possible convenience. The CPT Committee wants the Trail experience to be a safe one, and needs to know quickly of any hazardous conditions so they can be communicated to park officials and other crews, avoided and eventually corrected.
13. Failure to file plans and follow safety procedures may result in the Credential Hike Medal or other recognition items not being awarded.

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Low Impact Camping

Units must utilize low impact backpack camping techniques:

1. Crews must not cut any live timber for shelter construction or other use. Crews should carry adequate shelter in the form of backpacking tents/tarps, sleeping bags and pads.
2. Do NOT gather firewood or disturb windfalls.
3. Crews should plan on using backpacking stoves and utensils to prepare and eat their meals. BSA Units must meet BSA policy on the use of liquid fueled stoves. Because the CPT Trek is only a two (2) day, one (1) night outing, the use of small propane or butane type stoves is highly recommended except in very cold weather. Be sure to pack out your fuel canisters and dispose of them properly.
4. No ground fires are permitted, do not dig fire pits. Surface fire rings or elevated stoves may be used, if provided by the park, but all fuel used for cooking must be carried in as part of the Hike. However, crews wishing to use the fire circle at the Pines Campsite may bring in wood ahead of time for their non-cooking use. This is the only exception permitted to the self-support rule, and the exception is to prevent the depletion of downed wood at the campsites.

Tips

1. Segregate the items in your pack, double pack items like sleeping bags and clothes in waterproof plastic bags.
2. Have adequate storm gear for wind/rain protection of yourself and your pack.
3. Use waterproof float bags for all gear on Canoe Option Treks.
4. Each Hiker must have a personal first aid kit and carry it where it can be reached quickly; also, keep your water and trail snacks handy; take small sips of water often and avoid dehydration.
5. Youth Hikers should target a maximum pack weight of 25-30 pounds (approximately 1/5 of body weight).
6. Break your crew into smaller teams of two, three or four for eating and sleeping share the weight of group and team items equally according to size, strength and ability.
7. Be prepared for mosquitoes and flies at appropriate times of the year.
8. BE PREPARED!

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Summary of Forms and How to Use Them

The following forms are used in the CPT Credential Hike Program

Official Map Credential
This personalized document is given to each Hiker just before Hike step-off. When completed it is the individual Hiker's "certificate of completion" as the CPTC records the date of successful completion of each mandatory step in the CHP process on the Map Credential.

Service Project Pre-approval Form
This form is used to formally submit a service project to the CPTC for consideration and pre-approval.

Credential Hike Leader's Checklist
This form is a checklist version of the key points in this manual which can be used by the Hike Leader or Crew Chief to plan and control the CHP process for a particular crew or Unit.

SUMMARY OF MAPS

• Highland Recreation Area DNR
• Highland SRA Chief Pontiac Trail CPTC
• Proud Lake Recreation Area DNR
• Proud Lake SRA Chief Pontiac Trail CPTC
• Island Lake Recreation Area DNR
• Kensington Metropark HCMA
• Huron River HCMA
• USGS 7.5' Quad series Highland, Ml USGS, Delta Maps, Oakland County
• USGS 7.5' Quad series Milford, MI USGS, Delta Maps, Oakland County
• USGS 7.5' Quad series Kent Lake, MI USGS, Delta Maps, Oakland County
• Highland Recreation Area Orienteering Map SMOC

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