Philmont Information For Scouts and Parents

1. Philmont Information For Scouts and Parents 2015

2. Awesome Challenge • Mental, physical, team challenge for all involved • 2-12 miles/day • Elevation change: 0-3,500 ft/day • High altitude: 6,000-12,400 ft • Weather: warm/sunny to cold and rainy • 10-30% humidity • Temps 30-90 F • Team dynamics • Loads of fun • AWESOME!!!!! AWESOME!!!!!!AWESOME!!!!!!!

3. Activities Beyond Backpacking: LOTS o’ FUN STUFF • Challenge course • Conservation projects • Archeology • Astronomy • Blacksmithing • Western lore / Branding • Geocaching • Homesteading • Horse riding • Burro packing • Etc. • Shooting: rifle, shotgun, bow & arrow, black powder rifle, etc. • Rock climbing • Panning for gold • Mountain climbing • Logging camp activities • Campfires • Chuck wagon dinners • Mule racing • Leave no trace camping • Team decision making

4. Other Cool Stuff We Did in 2012 • Saw the USA by train • Saw the milky way • Mingled with the horses • Night hike up Mt. Baldy, 12,440’ • Saw a shooting star • Fought off the chipmunks • Went rock climbing • Went “Bouldering” • Walked up to deer (but did not eat them!) • Etc.

5. Trip Schedule 2015 • July 10: early morning; depart for Chicago/train • July 11: arrive Cimarron, NM; stay at Cimarron Inn, acclimate. • July 12: arrive Base Camp early/ night at Base Camp • July 13-July 22: 10 nights on trail • July 23: arrive Base Camp/night at Base Camp • July 24: train to Chicago/ overnight • July 25: arrive Chicago, transfer to bus, arrive tri-cities late night/early morning (~1 am) the 26th.

6. Crews • 7-12 people total/crew • Min. 2; Max. 4 adults/ crew (Crew Advisors) • Adults must be registered, YP-trained Scouters • Scouts have priority, especially those who have never been, and may not have another chance to go. • There will be scouts from troops other than T763 in all the crews: this is the W&W Council contingent – need to work to integrate them • Crew composition will be decided by adult leaders prior to 1st planning sessions • Based ~on age/ability/other factors

7. Age Requirements • Scout Rank: 1stClass • Age: 14 by date of arrival at Philmont, • or, • 13 and finished 8th grade • Carry 40-45 lbs for 11 days • Personal gear: 20 lbs • Water: 6 lbs • Crew gear: ~7 lbs • Food: 7 lbs

8. The Trek • Crews will choose treks in advance • Crew will be bussed in to drop point, then backpack to initial activities, camp site • Philmont Ranger to accompany & train crew 1st 2 nights on trail • Staffed and unstaffed camps • Staffed: cool activities & camp • Unstaffed: camp and move on the next day • Accommodations: only the best! • 10 nights on the trail, then bus from pick up point to Base Camp

9. Estimated Cost • 2012: ~$1600 • Exact 2015 cost to be determined as we get closer to departure • $100 deposit + 3 payments of $400 (Oct. 1, 2014, Dec. 1, 2014, Feb. 1, 2015) final payment of the remainder (400~500), April 15, 2015. • Expensive, but priceless

10. What is Included • T-shirt (quick-dry, wicking fabric) • Shakedown trips • All transportation • Meals to and from/ during • Crew photo @ Philmont • Philmont trek & food, some crew gear • Tour of Phillips Mansion (Villa Philmonte) • Bus to/from Cimarron (on the old Santa Fe Trail) • Gear not included

11. Forms • Parts A, B, C, D of Medical Form: Physician signature required • Permission slip/waiver, publicity release • BMI limit for all (rigorously enforced) • Variety of medical conditions cautioned (see Philmont website & medical form)

12. Training • The most successful crews that hike the trails at Philmont spend months preparing • 3 shakedown trips • Day • Overnight (Jordan River, 20 mi) • 3 night, ~25 mi, North Manitou? • Each crew responsible for planning and executing shakedowns, trek at Philmont • Training: Wilderness First Aid, CPR/AED: at least 1/crew, youth protection, severe weather • Physical Conditioning • Being in top physical condition will help your crew enjoy their experience more and be less likely to experience medical problems. This training calendar and exercise tips will help you prepare for your expedition. • Developing Skills • Time and effort spent in sharpening your hiking and camping skills will allow you more time to enjoy the natural beauty and program features at Philmont

13. Crew Operation • Crew functions as a unit/team • Work together as a team in planning, choosing trek, shakedowns, trek itself • Quality of team interactions determine the success or failure of the trek. • Succeed or fail as a team • Crew responsible for getting the crew equipment needed. • Crew responsible for planning and executing each shakedown exercise and Philmont Trek

14. Gear • Individual gear: personal responsibility • Crew Gear: crew & crew advisor(s) responsibility • Estimate ~$1000 for personal gear if you have none now • Birthdays/Christmas’s/etc., mowing, shoveling, etc. • We will need a full complement of personal and crew gear for shakedown trips, as well as at Philmont- do not count on getting it at Philmont, since you will need it before then • See gear list • Troop has no useful gear • Do not buy gear too early: your scout is likely growing very quickly (boots, backpack, etc.)

15. Merit Badges • Backpacking • Camping (most requirements)

16. Philmont Website • For more info: • http://www.philmontscoutranch.org/Camping.aspx