Help~Philmont Scout Ranch

[minniebeth]

DS will be going to Philmont Boy Scout Ranch in New Mexico in 2 days! He is sooo excited, this is a once in a lifetime experience he has been dreaming about for a long time!
Does anyone have any last minute tips they can share? (For DS)
And any encouragement for a really nervous mom?

Also, I am looking for how much spending money DS should bring for the store at the end of the trip. He really wants a belt and some patches, just have NO idea how much $ to bring for that....

If anyone has any experience with Philmont, could you please share?
Thanks SOOO much!!

 

[barkley]

no experience with your son's camp, but on the amount of $$$ to send for camp store you might give a call to the camp and ask them how much the kind of items you son wants run-and also find out what else they sell/how often the kids are allowed to go. i did this with the camp my kids go to and was surprised to find they only let the kids go to the store once during the week they are there (i was thinking of sending a bit more $$ cuz i knew they sold ice cream bars but since it was only going to be a one time trip to the store i pared the amount down to what i knew they wanted and one snack item).

i preaddress/stamp envelopes for my kids-then tell them to at least jot a few words down and mail me a letter at least 2 times during the week they are there (that way i get some kind of communication from them). it also helps me feel connected with mine when i can send their daily e-mail (our camp allows parents to send one daily that is handed out during "mail call"-kids can't e-mail back but at least it helps this nervous mom feel in touch).

one suggestion-if you are planning on doing "care packages" during his stay and you will be dropping him off at the camp yourself-instead of trying to mail them from home, put them together and place them in packages with the date you want them delivered-then leave them at the main office (check to see if they will let you) for on-site delivery. this way you can be ensured he gets them on the schedual you want him to-and you don't end up sending stuff that does'nt arrive there until after he's back home (i purposely send one to be delivered the second day of camp that includes large sized treats and something like a travel game or deck of cards to encourage him sharing/doing something with the group my son is assigned to-it kind of breaks the ice on making new friends early on in the experience).

 

[wall*e2008]

My friend is a scout leader and he had told me great things about Philmont. He has been there more than once. Is your son going to participate in the hike? After many of the boys tie their shoes together and throw them over the sign. If so, maybe he could bring an old pair to leave. My friend said most parents do not know of this tradition and are upset when their son's leave their expensive new hiking shoes.

 

[Geoff_M]

You can probably use this site as a guide: http://www.toothoftimetraders.org/

 

[onelilspark]

I remember my brother went years ago and my Dad went as one of the leaders. They really enjoyed their time and it's one of the things they still talk about today.

Can't help too much as I don't know the details...but for the nervous Mom part: just think of all the fun he'll have! It's a great experience!!

 

[Mickey527]

My son is now 25 and in the Marines, but he went to Philmont when he was 15. You should get all the information you need from the leaders when you have your meeting.
My son went on a few hikes with the group he was going to Philmont with to get them in shape and give them all a chance to meet each other. The boys are from different troups so they might not know all the guys they go with.
Don't expect letters. My son had a great time but he was too busy to write and when he did have time he was busy exploring.
Don't send "care packages". They have everything they want. Everything they bring will have to be tied up in "bear bags" at night to avoid enticing the animals onto their site. There are bears and wolves and the scouts do what they can to keep them away. The bear bags hold all food and dishes, etc... and they tie them up the trees.
Don't send deodorant. the boys want to get as stinky as they can. It also helps to keep the bears and animals away.
Buy the BEST walking shoes you can. I think my son went with boots and sneakers, but I do remember I bought the sneakers at the hiking store and they were outrageous expensive. He did get one blister the first day but he had his moleskin so it was ok after a few days. Make sure you break them in before you go, if your group is not going on hikes together he should go on his own.
Buy the biggest pack he can carry but make sure it is very lightweight. They carry over 75 lbs each. My son is very thin and at the time he weighed about 95 lbs and carried his weight in stuff.
My son bought $50 with him. His most cherished items that he bought were the belt buckle and leather belt with "Philmont" burned onto it. He also picked up a few rocks on the last day to bring home with him and has them still. He has the patches in the attic but really didn't bother with them. I do remember that they could only have one patch on their uniform from one of the camping experiences so he had to remove his Jamboree patch to put the Philmont patch on.
One of his favorite memories was after they came back to camp and showered they went out for pizza. He said he thought it was the best pizza he ever had, not because it was great pizza, but it was not freeze dried or bland. He did get a magnet from the pizzeria and has it on my fridge still. Simple Simon's Pizza CIMARRON. NM.
He called me for the first time at that pizza parlor.
PS. I asked my son and he said: bring lots of socks. No body sprays or aftershave etc... Moleskin and bandaids, and everything I already said above.

 

[momrek06]

DS will be going to Philmont Boy Scout Ranch in New Mexico in 2 days! He is sooo excited, this is a once in a lifetime experience he has been dreaming about for a long time!
Does anyone have any last minute tips they can share? (For DS)
And any encouragement for a really nervous mom?

Also, I am looking for how much spending money DS should bring for the store at the end of the trip. He really wants a belt and some patches, just have NO idea how much $ to bring for that....

If anyone has any experience with Philmont, could you please share?
Thanks SOOO much!!

Ohhh, OP, your DS will have the time of his life, truly an experience he will remember the rest of his life.

My 2 DS' are Eagle scouts. Older DS went 1x and younger DS went 2x. My younger DS WORKED at Philmont LAST year as a Ranger. He graduated from college and before starting his career in the "real" world his dream was to spend a summer working as a Ranger at Philmont. AND he did just that. He talks about his experience there ALL THE TIME.

He currently is at work so I have no tips for you at this time. Feel free to PM me with any questions. I would be glad to give you his email and you can ask him all the questions you want or need. He would be THRILLED to answer you.

Last week we were out shopping and he saw an adult with a Philmont t-shirt on...next thing I know the two of them are talking and talking and talking!!!

BSA RULES!!!

 

[geffric]

it will be a trip of a life time..

DS#1 is an Eagle and went to Philmont a dew years ago.. he won't need anything for the hike.. that is all taken care of by now.. as well as he should have hiking boots, pack , bear bags, sleeping bag and mattress, etc..
( I went too)
Also remember that you won't hear from him while on the trail as there isn't coverage and the boys will leave a lot of stuff behind per the camp counselors. Do have him bring a camera.. the pictures are amaizing..

what to bring back?? Philmont belt, having the Philmont brand put on his boots, a hackysack, Philmont mug , T-shirt and a cap.. prices are at Tooth of Time Traders..

have fun and bring back lots of great memories.. it is a trip of a lifetime

 

[DaddyDon]

I am a eagle scout ...Class of 1976....okay im old...This will be a trip he will never forget!Mom he will be well taken care of! Don't worry be happy! This trip will be as close as Xmas this young man at his age will ever see!!!!!Shoes this late???If not broke in now ...wont do him any good! Cant wait till you come back and tell us all the great tales he will have!

 

[dare2dream]

Please advise your son to follow ALL the instructions he is given at Philmont.

My niece had a great time but after arriving home she was constantly tired. It took several weeks to discover the problem, a tapeworm or some type of intestinal parasite. They think she got it from untreated water. She is a very conscientious and responsible girl so I'm sure she was not purposefully lax in following the rules at camp. Medication soon expelled the little bugger and now all is well with her.

I know your son will have a great time. If you can please report back about his adventures at Philmont. Many years ago I was invited as a leader to attend a session there but did not. It is one of my regrets in life, I may never have the opportunity again. I'm so glad your son has the chance to go to Philmont. He will make lifelong memories there and learn important lessons about himself.

 

[minniebeth]

Thank you everyone for responding!
My DS14 is VERY prepared to go to Philmont with all his equipment and well-broken in hiking boots
His crew has gone on many "shakedowns" for training preparation and I think they are really well prepared. He has trained physically, too, so I think he is strong physically. They will be staying at Kirtland AFB for a day and then at Philmont base camp for a day to get acclimated to the altitude. This is one thing that does concern me, as there's not much altitude in Ohio.
They are backpacking for 10 days.
You all responded with some great inside tips, like the shoes thrown over the sign...there is NO WAY DS will be doing this, he paid for his expensive boots himself and he loves them! He has a base camp bag, he can bring an old pair with him for that purpose...cool!
I didn't even think of looking online for a store...Tooth of Time Traders is perfect!! DS expressed an interest in the belts but we had no idea how much they would cost. Now we have a great idea. ....And a place to Christmas shop as well!!
We bought him a small, inexpensive digital camera so he can take a lot of photos too.
...after reading the posts, he threw in 2 extra pairs of hiking socks!

I know I'm nervous but it truly is a once in a lifetime experience, even if he ever gets the chance to go again (lottery system for their troops). I get really choked up when I read about the responses about this trip seeming to be an amazing opportunity, not only challenging physically, but emotionally as well.
Thanks everyone, and I would love to report back his experience if you would be interested in reading about it!
~Beth