Boy Scouts parents - Philmont ?

[Pam]

We just got the call last night from our Council Office that DS will be going on a Philmont Trek next July-August!!

I know that Merry Poppins' son did the Philmont Calvacade this past summer. Has anyone else or their sons done the treks at Philmont? Any information, tips, etc. would be appreciated. We have several of the Philmont sites bookmarked and will be ordering a couple of the Philmont books as well.

We are looking for personal experiences & reflections, if you would please share them. How grueling was the Trek? How conditioned were you? Etc., etc.

Thanks in advance!
Pam

 

[MerryPoppins]

Pam, our troop is huge, so I've heard a lot of stories about treks to Philmont. In fact, our ladies go every fall (but it just doesn't appeal to me). Anything specific you'd like to know?

I think the trip is pretty strenuous, for the adults anyway. The boys in our patrol that have been don't act like it was too bad. I've seen wonderful pictures and listened to many tales. Has your son been on backpacking trips? Very difficult ones? If not, I suggest a couple of trials in advance of his trip. He could work up to hiking with a heavy pack, in several steps. Our boys always do a couple of pre-Philmont trips and several hikes with heavy packs. Magazines are great for weighting your pack for a day hike.

I think the Cavalcade was pretty similar. There were even more things that needed to be done each day, due to the horses. The differences were that the boys didn't have to carry packs or do much of the walking (although they did hike some). I can tell you that the food is terrible. They don't go hungry, but it is a lot like army rations. Our troop always takes some seasonings to try to make it more edible.

They don't get to bring very much with them, so he might want some things for Christmas this year that would be helpful. DS got some underwear and t-shirts that were meant to be worn for more than one day without smelling too bad. He also got a headlamp so he could see at night, hands free. I'll ask him if there is anything else he would suggest.

If there is anything you want to know, I can tell you what I know or even ask some of my boys that have been. I'd be glad to help.

 

[phins_jazy]

DH is an Eagle Scout, he and my father in-law went to Philmount before we were married.

First thing he said was Good Equipment, it doesn't have to be brand new but make sure that nothing is broke, ripped
slight bent, zipper not working, etc.

Good boots. If you don't already have them buy them awhile before you go and get them broke in. The minimum trek at Philmount is around 50 miles and if the boots rub because they are not formed to your feet it makes the days that much longer.

Physical shape. Partically depends on the trek that you go on. If you are going on a high level trek you need to be in better shape.
If your a phyiscal person, play sports, you shouldn't have a problem. He suggests you set that theory of how well you will hold up. Take the pack you're going to use and put in a couple of pounds and take a walk. You might look funny but if you do it you'll get an idea of how long the trek will be. He said that he used to put the entire encyclopedia in his pack and take a 5 mile hike a couple of times a week. Grueling but gets you conditioned.

If you have any questions feel free to pm me. DH gets all excited when he talks about Philmont, he could talk for days. And it's been a good 8 years or so ago that he went.

 

[fklhou]

Our troop has a slot this summer. My son is trying to decide if he is going to go. He has his eagle and six palms, been to Seabase and the Jamboree. Right now he is busy in other activities.

 

[Pam]

Ok - first off, thanks for all the answers and replies!! This will help us greatly. DS is not a sports person, other than golf - but he is a huge outdoorsman and is almost finished with his hiking merit badge, he's just waiting for the merit badge counselor to tell him when the 20 mile hike is (he has 5 10 mile hikes in.)

Our troop doesn't have anyone doing the Backpack merit badge, so he's checking with Council to find someone to do this with him. The Trek Advisor said they will have hikes in the spring with backpacks in preparation.

DS is very picky about hiking boots - his cost over $100.00 and he wears out a pair a year!!!

fklhou,
My DS is one badge away from Eagle. At this point he has 49 earned merit badges, and working on a few more. He also went to National Jamboree in 2001. What did your son think of Seabase?

Again, thanks everyone for helping! We would love to hear any and allPhilmont stories!!
Pam

 

[Pam]

For some reason my reply did not push this back up from page 2.........
Pam

 

[coqui]

I went on Lenhok'sn Trail before. It's another High Adventure camp.

It wasn't bad at all (till I got stung by the wasp - which doesn't feel good when you've been sweating all day)

 

[MerryPoppins]

Wow, Pam. He's a hard worker! My son has 25 completed merit badges. He's working on 3 or 4 more right now and will do one at the local merit badge fair early next month. A couple of them are Eagle required, but he's almost there. Then he just has his project to work out.

Sounds like the getting ready part is taken care of. Even if he isn't into sports, he should do fine if he is going to have some spring hikes in preparation.

Our dads often claim that the boys want to jog up the last few yards when climbing the mountains. The dads are gasping and clawing trying to keep up (and I'm talking about dads in good shape). I think the boys adjust to the altitude and let's face it, they are just lots younger than us. I've heard touching tales of boys who lag behind to pace themselves with their dad. One Eagle from our patrol said, "I don't want to go ahead. I want to do this with you. It'll mean more that way." Brings tears to my eyes.

Philmont assigns a staff member or two to each trek. This person becomes part of the group. My boys have told stories of having to write in a journal every day and daily meetings. There is also a crew leader elected from among the trek members. This person has to be able to make a lot of decisions for the group. Sometimes it can't be very democratic, I guess.

I heard once that a group from our patrol had a contest and the guy who won got a packet of pop tarts. It was a coveted award. I don't think the winner shared! My son raved about the queeze cheese and crackers. Said it was lots better than the dinners.

Our women just came back from their fall trek the other day. They saw bear, elk and other critters. They always have such a good time. Don't forget a disposable camera to catch wildlife and for group shots on the trail.

I agree with the good equipment advice. Make sure everything is in good working order. Last trek one of our boys found out his stove was broken. Don't know if he broke it on the trail or what, but it's not a good time to find out something isn't working!

A question for those of you posting here. DS says there is a shop in base camp. It has lots of Philmont items like picture frames and such. DS wishes he had purchased some things there. Anyone know if there is an on-line Philmont shop? I haven't been able to find one. Thought it might make a good Christmas gift for him, if I could find a way.

 

[Pam]

Merry,
Thanks for all the good info!

I have heard that there is an online store from Philmont. Is it called the Tooth of Time or something like that? I think the info can be found on the Philmont website.

Pam

 

[helenabear]

My brother did this and one thing to add from all I saw was that they were are very thankful that they shaved their heads or got buzz cuts... two weeks w/o a shower really would have been awful had my brother had the head of hair he normally had.

 

[fklhou]

I was one of the leaders on the Sea Base High Adventure. My son and I like Seabase other than the fact we got some bad weather. We did it after Christmas a couple of years ago during a cold snap. It got down to the 40s in the Keys. The water tempature was too cold to do much snorkeling (even with wet suits). We did the Munson Island adventure which is the island where the film PT 109 was filmed. After watching the movie, we could tell the part of the beach that they used for a couple of the scenes in the movie.

I hope that your son follows through on the Eagle. It looks like he has enough merit badges for at least four palms already.

 

[DopeyRN]

My DS went twice. I have no specifics though...just know he loved it.

 

[Pam]

Sorry that I didn't get back to all of you....... I spent all of last night helping to make centerpieces for tonight's Boy Scout Court of Honor/dinner.

Merry Poppins,
Do you know where you got those t-shirts/underwear at ?

coqui,
Where is Lenhok'sn Trail? Is that something like the Northern Tier high adventure camp in Minnesota, where you canoe, etc.?

Elaine,
Thanks for the heads up on the buzz cut - that's a very good idea!

phins_jazy,
Those are so good tips - I'm going to print out this thread for future reference.

jklhou,
When is your Philmont slot? Seabase sounded like a lot of fun, wish the weather had cooperated better for you. DS is currently working on his last badge, Personal Management, which he hopes to complete by December. He did his Eagle Scout project this summer, he and his Troop, and some relatives built 6 park benches at the local Community Park for an outdoor amphitheater for concerts, etc. He got permission to name the Amphitheater after the former mayor of the town, who died two years ago. This gentleman, who was a champion swimmer, had done the swimming activity pin with DS and the Webelos and then was DS's merit badge counselor for the BSA swimming badge.

DopeyRN,
Twice??!! Wow - he must have had a great time!
Pam

 

[MerryPoppins]

Go to www.rei.com. They have lots of clothing for outdoor activities. These were recommended to us by older Scouts from our Troop. DS has worn them for several camping trips and says they are great. They are less stinky than other fabrics. You could probably find the same things at other outdoor stores as well.

The tees are made of "high-performance, moisture-wicking MTS® fabric to keep you comfortable in a wide variety of activities".

The briefs are made of lightweight mesh fabric. "ideal for highly aerobic activities where moisture management is essential".