Philmont: The Great Adventure Trip Date: June 7-20, 2011

1. Philmont: The Great AdventureTrip Date: June 7-20, 2011 Troop 266

2. Basic Overview Philmont Scout Ranch is the Boy Scouts of America‘s oldest and most fabled national high-adventure base. Its 34 staffed camps and 55 trail camps provide an unforgettable adventure in the high country along hundreds of miles of rugged, rocky trails.

3. Philmont History Born in 1938 as Philturn Rockymountain Scoutcamp, today's Philmont Scout Ranch is a bustling center for high adventure and training. Youth and adults take advantage of the ranch's camping, training, and work programs. Most activity takes place during the summer, but Philmont also offers its Fall Adventure and Kanik winter program. More than 820,000 Scouts, Venturers, and leaders have experienced the adventure of Philmont since the first camping season in 1939. Throughout its existence, conscientious attention to low-impact camping techniques have helped maintain the ranch's wilderness flavor. The area surrounding the ranch is rich with history, from the Native Americans who made this arid land their home to the land barons of the 19th century. The town of Cimarron boasts a number of historical buildings, including the St. James Hotel—site of at least 26 killings during Cimarron's wilder days.

4. There And Back Again… • Dates • Arrival at Philmont: June 7, 2011 • Orientation : June 8, 201 • Trek Begins: June 9, 2011Trek Ends: June 19, 2011 • Return to Houston: June 20, 2011 • Monetary Commitments • Philmont Cost: $725 • Plane Costs: ~$200 per person • Bus Trip Total: $1,400 plus 10% tip, divided over the number of travelers • T-shirts: $60-$80 per person

5. Requirements • Scouts and adults must be registered with BSA. • Scouts must be 14 years old and at least First Class rank. • Adults must have completed Youth Protection within the last 2 years coinciding with the trek dates. • Each crew must have 1 adult and 1 scout certified in CPR and wilderness first aid. • Scouts and adults physical exams and health records are Philmont specific (special forms will be provided). • Adults will need to take two weeks off from work.

6. Height & Weight Requirement Philmont Weight Limits for Backpacking and Hiking Each participant in a Philmont trek must not exceed the maximum acceptable limit in the weight for height card shown below. The right and column shows the maximum acceptable weight for a person's height in order to participate in a Philmont trek. Those who fall within the limits are more likely to have an enjoyable trek and avoid incurring health risks. Every Philmont trek involves hiking with a 35-50 lb backpack between 6,500 and 12,500 ft. elevations. Philmont recommends that participants carry a pack weighing no more than 25-30% of their body weight. The maximum weight for any participant in a Cavalcade Trek and for horse rides is 200 lbs. If you don’t make the height and weight requirements, Philmont staff will send you home immediately!

7. Getting Ready • Philmont Prep Activities for Scouts & Scouters • At Scout Meetings… • 10 – 15 minute training topic reviews • Weekly from October to December • Killer Miller Boot Camp • Every Saturday morning at Memorial Park Tennis Courts (7:30 – 9:00) • Most important element of physical preparation for your trek • Crew Specific Meetings • Crew led

8. Trek Choice High-Adventure Philmont's signature program is the High-Adventure Expedition. Explore the high country in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico. Experience the thrill of climbing mountains over two miles high. Participate in a wide array of activities that teach Scouting skills—archaeology, backpacking, camping, climbing, fishing, forestry, horsemanship, Indian lore, and much more. Develop leadership, group dynamics, wilderness problem-solving, and outdoor skills. Crews hike Philmont's mountains, spending nights at various backcountry camps. At staffed camps, crews can participate in a variety of programs presented by Philmont backcountry staff. Among these programs are horseback riding, burro packing, gold panning, rock climbing, .30-06 rifle shooting, archaeology, mountain biking, and interpretive programs such as homesteading and mountain man rendezvous.

9. Iteneraries • Each expedition follows one of 35 itineraries, which are carefully planned and developed to avoid overcrowding and to enhance each crew's wilderness experience. Itineraries vary in their difficulty and in the program features each offers. • Philmont has a pristine wilderness, largely because of the planned itinerary process, the wilderness ethic, and the conservation efforts of over 820,000 past participants. • No change/modification in the itineraries is possible except for medical emergencies.

10. At the troop meetings we’ll talk about what gear you WILL and WILL NOT need to take. I will provide a detailed list of gear and how it must be packed and stored. We will have a mandatory gear shakedown in March. Getting You Gear

11. Food During the check-in process on Day 1 at Philmont a crew is issued food for the first several days on the trail.  Once in the backcountry, each itinerary has scheduled food pickups at commissaries.  Each meal package (serving two persons) weighs about a pound (breakfasts and dinners) to a pound and a half  (lunches).  

12. Tents Tents must be carried and used at Philmont. Sudden downpours and gusty winds require shelter. Every crew member must pitch, strike and fold a backpacking tent. If you bring your own tent it must be a two-man tent. One-man tents are allowed if there’s an odd numbered crew. We will be using the troop’s backpacking tents if necessary.

13. Philmont is Awesome Philmont will be one of the most challenging but fun trips you ever go on.

14. Activities on the Trail

15. Wonderful Philmont!

16. Don’t Miss the Adventure Conquering the challenge of a Philmont trek is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

17. Philmont on the Web http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HighAdventure/Philmont.aspx

18. Philmont 2011 You have questions, I have answers.