I have posted notes from our trek this year. As always, it is an amazing journey. As they say, the journey is the destination! Each year and crew brings its own challenges and skills to the table. No trip is identical to a previous trip. I have been fortunate enough to be part of three different and wonderful crews!
My notes from this years trip can be viewed here
What an amazing trip! Two crews, no injuries.
Our train left Fort Madison on time and got to Raton on time.
On the train were 5 other crews. They were all fun to talk to, but one gentleman was really interesting. This was his 31st trip to Philmont! Wow!
It rained on us 7 out of 10 days on the trail. But, we never set up camp wet or in the rain. We always had time to dry out the tents during the day at program stops. We often put the tents away wet.
In the past, we never saw a bear. This time, we saw a mountain lion and a cinnamon black bear. Our other crew also saw bears. Some of them saw 4 bears, the others saw those 4 bears and found 2 others along the way.
On the way back, the train was 1 hour late and got to Fort Madison 2 ours late.
While there may be many good books to use while at SeaBase, I have found “Cruising Guide to the Florida Keys” by Frank Papy to be a very useful book.
If you are interested in purchasing this book, please consider using the link below. It takes you to our fundraising link for Amazon on our troop website. If you search for the book through our link, Amazon will pay us a small amount (it doesn’t cost you any more).
There are a few books that I have found to be useful while at Philmont, or before:
While I have nothing to do with this book, if you are planning a trip to Philmont, I have found this to be invaluable.
A Backpacker’s Guide to Philmont by Bill Sassani.
This is a no-nonsense guide. It tells you how to train, what to bring, what to expect at Basecamp and in the back country. Nobody that I have recommended this book to has been disappointed – adults and scouts. It is an easy read, but packed with great information!
If you are interested in purchasing this book, please consider using the link below. It takes you to our fundraising link for Amazon on our troop website. If you search for the book through our link, Amazon will pay us a small amount (it doesn’t cost you any more).
Philmont Fieldguide published by BSA – they published a new one in 2010. Didn’t use it my first time, but nearly wore it out last time. A great guide to plants and animals you will see. Only need one per crew.
I’m sure there are other equally good books, but I have found both of these to be excellent.
Follow the link to the budget we use for Philmont. This is an all inclusive budget for the trip. The only extra cost will be any souvenirs you wish to purchase.
This budget uses the train as travel and the bus from Raton. It includes fuel to the train station and back, food while traveling and on the train, all of your patches and white gas while on the trek. There also is budgeted a contingenc cost for any extra costs that may arise. Also included is money for an overnight practice hike and camping. If the crew is a blended crew and has not camped together, this is time VERY well spent.
Follow the link to an Exel spreadsheet for the budget worksheet we use for planning for SeaBase.
We try and keep this all inclusive except for souveneirs.
This includes the cost of fuel to the airport, parking, airplane ticket, rental car, fuel for the vehicles, meals down and back, patches, etc.
General Information:
1. The airline tickets are purchased. You will be flying in and out of Chicago. you leave 3:20 and arrive in Miami at 7:30 on June 15th.
2. Hotel arrangements have ben made at the Best Western near the ariport for 2 rooms
3. The 2 leaders have cars rented from the airport to Seabase (and returning the car to Marathon airport while on ship) and picking up the car at the Marathon airport and returning to to Miami.
4. You leave Miami at 12:40 and arrive in Chicago at 2:55 on June 22.
5. I will send out the electronic plane tickets and hotel reservation numbers in the near future to the adult leaders.
6. Anyone over 18 MUST have a legal photo ID. It is suggested all youth bring a school photo ID.
a few items:
Plan to fly in your CLASS A Uniform. It looks good, and in general, we have ben treated better in teh airport and through security when we are wearing CLass A’s. You also need to wear your Class A shirt while on base.
You are responsible for cosst for any items that you check on the airplane. You have minimal items that you will take on the ship so everything should fit in a carry on bag.
Food on the way down and back is covered.
It takes about 2 hours from your hotel to Seabase, you cannot arrive before 1.
On the way down to Seabase, stop and eat in Key Largo as you enter the Keys. There is next to nothing for eating places after that.
Don’t miss the Hurricaine memorial (mile marker 81.5) and the Fishing shop just after Islamorado.
You MUST bring a copy of your CURRENT medical form – all 4 sections MUST be filled out. If you don’t, they will make you do a VERY expensive physical on base before leaving.
Don’t forget you need a National tour Permit.
At least one adult MUST have Wilderness First Aid within the last 2 years. This is a new requirement in the last few years.
All registered adults must have completed the BSA Youth Protection Training or Venturing Youth Protection Training. (This is required for the National Tour Plan.) They also need to have Safety Afloat and Swim Defense. These are available online and don’t take a lot of time to complete.
The adult leaders should have 2 copies of all documents (strange things happen when you fly and things get lost) – crew roster, national tour permit, physical forms, etc. They will be sent these forms when the Scout office receives them.
both youth and adults)
All participants must take a BSA swim review upon arrival to ensure swimming ability
Storage:
Each sailing and Out Island crew is provided a 2x3x4 storage accommodation. You must bring a lock for your crews locker. Personal vehicles are another way to store equipment. If you are arriving by other modes of transportation, plan your “what to bring” items very carefully, and only bring what is necessary
BRING
DO NOT BRING
OPTIONAL ITEMS
Remember all of the gear (except sleeping bag, and towel) you bring onto the ship MUST fit inside the 1’x1’x2′ bag they issue you at Seabase.
