Philmont Boy Scout Ranch Backpack Trip

[geffric]

My oldest son is leaving in two weeks for a three week trek at Philmont. We have gotten all of his things together and I am starting to mark his things.

Any tips or suggestions, things that he must do or see while there?

 

[roseprincess]

Hi geffric
Sorry, I can't help you, but hope you can get your questions answered.
Where is Philmont?

If I don't talk to you beforehand, hope to see you at the DISmeet on Saturday!


Rosemarie

 

[geffric]

Hi Rosemarie.. thanks for posting


Philmont Boy Scout Ranch is in Cimarron New Mexico..Philmont Scout Ranch is a national camping area, owned and operated by the Boy Scouts of America. Philmont is large, comprising 137,493 acres or about 215 square miles of rugged mountain wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) range of the Rockies. 32 staffed camps and 50 unstaffed camps are operated by the ranch. Philmont has high mountains which dominate rough terrain with an elevation ranging from 6,500 to 12,441 feet. http://www.scouting.org/philmont/

 

[rascalmom]

DD's friend is there now - being the mom to two girls I don't have any first-hand experience. My dad went with my brother many years ago & I know it is one of his best memories.

 

[koopa]

I'm old....haven't been in 20 years, but climbing Baldy Mountain was the most memorable. No treescape on top and great views of the mountains in southern Colorado.

 

[DebD4T]

I have no tips for you. I am preparing my son and husband for their trip to Philmont. What dates will your son be there? Our troop is leaving July 5th and returning July 19th.

All I know is that we have been buying lightweight things (sleeping bags, backpacks, cups and bowls). Our troop leader (who has been to Philmont at least once before) recommended taking moleskin in case you develop a blister. He also wants everyone to have a bottle of Purel, to disinfect their hands before they eat.

 

[maleficent1959]

Is it a trek or just camping? Eagle Scout DH says that treks at Philmont are very structured with no time to do anything other than what is planned for the day. He says you hike, you stop, you set up camp, you do an activity (it varies throughout the trek), you sleep, you get up, break camp, and do it again. Going to Philmont just for camp is a different story and there's lots to choose from then.

DH grew up in the mountains in northern New Mexico. He's spent lots of time backpacking in the mountains there and says your DS will love it, that Philmont is a beautiful camp.

 

[geffric]

maleficent1959 DS is going on a trek for 2 week and then to the National Advanced Youth leader training for a week. We are going to pick him up and camp at Philmont for a few days .. any suggestions on sights for us to see?

DebD4T DS leaves July 8th and returns July 29th. His Trek is completed on July 22nd. The he goes to NAYL I wonder if they will see each other there? Yes REI has become my best friend, too. Moleskin I had on the list. We did the hiking merit badge and i was on all of the hikes including the 20 mile in the pouring rain, so I know all about moleskin. Thanks for the Purell tip, i didn't have that on my list.

 

[momrek06]

Ahhh..Philmont..my DS' most memorable time EVER as a Scout. Both DS' are Eagle Scouts. Oldest DS went once..youngest DS went twice. They absolutely undeniably LOVED everything about Philmont. There are different levels of the Trek. Their leader video taped the entire 10 days as well as take pictures...so we have lasting memories. Make sure your son's shoes are all broken in prior to leaving. My sons went to the local boy scout camp many many times before leaving and hiked with 60 lbs on their back to prepare for the actual trek. Make sure he has a decent hat for the sun. Make sure he has a good quality sleeping bag. I sent all old clothes that I could care less of ever seeing again. Our scouts left MA and were gone a total of 3 weeks as they went on a Coach Bus and toured the country as well. Make sure your son has plenty of souvenir money for whatever he wants to buy at Philmont.
I hope he has the best time ever.

 

[jgmklmhem]

I did Philmont about 13 years ago and I definately second the Baldy side hike if they happen to be up in that part of the ranch. If their trip is like ours it will be pretty structured as far as the whole outline goes but there is some room for variation but not much. Our itenerary was pretty much laid out before we even got there.

My tips...
take a rugged camera with lots of film or memory and plenty of batteries (never know when you might happen upon a bear or other fun animals.

Prepare for rain...every trip my troop ever took to Philmont had a good amount of rain with it except the one I went on where we had clear skies throughout...must have been lucky.

If they still have them...use the food swap boxes at the more established camps to get better food items.

Pack lightweight (today's gear is soooo much lighter and more compact than even 13 years ago.

Take care of your feet. I had a friend who didn't and he had to be trucked out of the backcountry to be worked on.

 

[geffric]

Thanks for all of your comments and hints.I am going to print this out for our crew. Any others?

 

[sharbear]

Pack old clothes and throw them away when they finished the trek. Seriously you never want to see those clothes again. And the underwear,

 

[lisajl]

Wow! Hope your son has a great time! I don't think our troop does Philmont, but they sure talk about it a lot!

Yea! for the Scouts and their parents!!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

No specific advice, but DH went close to 30 years ago. He still talks about it as being one of the most amazing experiences in his life. I may show him this thread later, if he has any thoughts. Best wishes to your Eagle Scout!

 

[momrek06]

Thanks for all of your comments and hints.I am going to print this out for our crew. Any others?

OP: AT the Closing Ceremonies (for the week the boys are in Philmont and have completed their Trek)...they will be given a fabulous Philmont patch that
the Scouts love to display on their Uniform....this is NOT a patch that is to be SEWN on anything...SOOO at Philmont they SELL in the gift stores this PLASTIC HOLDER with a slot to button it on the front of the Scout's shirt...HAVE YOUR SON GET A PLASTIC COVER for the Philmont patch. It is the EXACT shape as the patch. It will protect the patch as well as immediately be able to adhere it to his shirt.

My son's have them for the SEA BASE camps as well. So easy to just button the plastic patch holder to the front of the scout shirt...this way everyone can see that he has been to Philmont.
The reason I mentioned this is that plastic patch cover/holder is hard to get ONCE you have LEFT Philmont.

 

[geffric]

momrek06 Thanks for the advice on the plastic patch holder. That is something that he will need. When he went to Jambo last summer he had patches that we sewed on the uniform, so I didn't think about the Philmont patch. I am giving him $100 to buy Philmont stuff, do you think that is enough? The belt is included in the amount we paid to council for his trek.

BuzznBelle'smom he is not an Eagle Scout yet.. still has to do his project and write it up. So hopefully in another year he will make Eagle.

Thanks on the old clothes tip. He was going to take some of his JAMBO shirts, maybe we will rethink that idea.

 

[Jpgirl]

I trained a client who went there with his son. He had a great time!! Stay hydrated and don't try to break in new boots on the trip. Break them in before hand or wear old ones. Hope you son has fun!!

 

[momrek06]

[ I am giving him $100 to buy Philmont stuff, do you think that is enough?

.

$100.00 is plenty of money...I will say my sons went in 1998, 2000 and 2002!!! So it has been a few years. I do not think he will need all that much. My sons bought a souvenir t-shirt and a few maps and some postcards and a Philmont belt that they wore with their uniforms ALL THE TIME but you mentioned a belt already included. Maybe more like $50.00 BUT it is your call.

Also, will he have a PHONE CARD to call home. They can call at the beginning and then again at the end of the Trek. Oh, ya, I remember they all did their laundry the last day of the Trek...so $$ for laundry as well.

OP: I hope your son goes on to be an Eagle Scout. My sons are applauded for this fete so so often. They are so proud of their accomplishments as well.
My 24yo will sit on an Eagle Board of Review this coming Monday night. They both stay very involved with Scouting.

 

[geffric]

momrek06 i really don't know how much to give him as far as cash. He wants a Fish Camp t shirt, a hat and a hackysack. I have to ask our Trek leader is they get the buckle for the belt along with the belt or if I need to buy that too. Since he may never be back at Philmont, I wanted him to get the Philmont gear he wanted. Also do you know if they have OA Philmont stuff?

He is very focused on being an Eagle so i don't think we will have an issue with him and he has time. He wants to pick a project that reflects his interests so he is having a hard time deciding what project to do. I am committee chair and Dh is Asst scoutmaster, so we are all very involved with the troop and council.
Sounds like your sons are still active in the troop too. That is great. I wish our troop's Eagles would stay active and mentor the younger boys.

 

[momrek06]

momrek06 i really don't know how much to give him as far as cash. He wants a Fish Camp t shirt, a hat and a hackysack. I have to ask our Trek leader is they get the buckle for the belt along with the belt or if I need to buy that too. Since he may never be back at Philmont, I wanted him to get the Philmont gear he wanted. Also do you know if they have OA Philmont stuff?

He is very focused on being an Eagle so i don't think we will have an issue with him and he has time. He wants to pick a project that reflects his interests so he is having a hard time deciding what project to do. I am committee chair and Dh is Asst scoutmaster, so we are all very involved with the troop and council.
Sounds like your sons are still active in the troop too. That is great. I wish our troop's Eagles would stay active and mentor the younger boys.

OP: I am just wondering if they have info online on the Philmont site as to a list of items you can purchase and a price list. This might just give you an idea as the cost of items. Yes, the belt and the buckle are wonderful. He def will want that and wear it all the time. As far as OA items at Philmont..that I do not know at all. OA another wonderful group to be involved with it is the Honor Society of all Scouts
WOW..you and DH both involved in Scouting that is fabulous. I did fundraising as well as advancement as a parent. I actually waited until BOTH boys were Eagles and volunteered for advancement (I did not want to be on that Board until both boys would no longer be coming to Advancement)! I did fundraising for most of my time with the Troop. I also was a Committee Rep attending all Rep meetings and helping out with allot of MEDIA. I took pictures all the time of our Scouts, who were out doing projects and always put them in our local paper for all to see.