We are ready for high Adventures. Last month, our Council held another class for Wilderness First Aid. We had about 20 participants. I really believe in this class. I think the material is very important.

The first time I took the class, it was 16 hours of lecture and a written test. I love the current format with more hands-on and scenarios.

Been happy to be on staff for the last 10 years. We have an amazing team that teaches the class. I am the only physician on the team, but we all bring so much experience, that it works. We have members who have done Philmont, hiked the Grand Canyon, and many other treks.

Out of 5 trips to Philmont, I have only needed to use Wilderness First Aid once when a leader fell about 10 feet off Tooth of Time into a crevasse in front of me. I was glad we had 5 members in my crew who had done the training and it worked exactly as it should. My training kicked in and everything worked as it should, despite everyone else on the mountain freaking out. It turned out fine.

This true scenario has become one of our test situations.

If you have the chance to take the class, do it!

Its hard to believe it is coming up, but in under 6 months,our crew will be hiking in Philmont. We submitted our trek requests through the lottery. Early this year. We found out that they got their top choice. It looks like an amazing trek and they should have lots of fun.

Unfortunately, 3 member had to back out, so we are in the process of trying to find a few more scouts to fill out our crew.

For 2022, we were only able to fill one crew and turned the other back in for another crew to be able to go.

Payments are due soon for Philmont 2022. Hard to imagine. We were fortunate enough to get 2 treks for 2022, but with the timing could only be sure of filling 1 crew, so we had to give back 1 crew.

It’s hard to believe that our Philmont trek preferences are due in 10 days. Seems very early. Lots of work to due until then. Our crew is looking at the trek options to decide their top 6 choices. Not sure you can go wrong with any choice. They are all fun. The area is so beautiful that just being there is worth it.

We have hope. After not being able to do our treks in 2018 and 2020, we are hopeful going forward. We have 1 trek for 2021 and our crew is looking forward to it.

Its hard to believe, but its lottery time for 2022. We have a lot of scouts that will just be coming of age and have put in for 2 crews. After the last 2 times, lady luck must smile on us sometime.

Sadly, all treks for Philmont for 2020 have been cancelled.

Dear 2020 Philmont Participants,   It is with great disappointment that Philmont Scout Ranch announces the cancellation of all remaining programs for the 2020 summer season. Due to the Governor’s COVID-19 guidelines, and the State of New Mexico Health Department’s restrictions regarding travel, our efforts to secure a portion of the summer season were denied. The safety of our participants, staff and community has been and will remain our top priority. The Philmont staff has been relentless in pursuing all options and will continue as you navigate your reservation options. Key Points:   The Reservation Contact and Lead Advisor for each crew should complete the survey found at the link below after consulting with your crew.   Philmont will waive the adult to youth ratio (if YPT guidelines are met) to accommodate Scouts who will “age out” by the time they are rescheduled through 2022.  Philmont Training Center, Family Adventure Camp Participants, and NAYLE participants will receive a call next week (June 8-12) to discuss rescheduling options or refunds. Individual Trek Participants should complete the survey found at the link below. Staff have received communication from the Seasonal Personnel office.    By completing your survey, the Philmont registrars will receive and prioritize your preferences. Priority in response will be given to crews who wish to transfer to another High Adventure Base for Summer 2020. If transferring is your first preference, please respond immediately to the survey.   We anticipate the rescheduling of Philmont reservations to either 2021 (limited availability) or 2022 to last through June. Refunds will be issued within 10-12 weeks.   Philmont will continue to pursue more programming opportunities as the New Mexico State Health Department guidelines allow. We look forward to seeing you on the trail in the coming Autumn, Winter, or a future Summer season. Check the Philmont website for late summer/early fall program opportunities.   Philmont Scout Ranch is committed to Delivering Wilderness Adventures that Last a Lifetime.   Sad, but not unexpected.

We have a light at the end of the tunnel. Today I received an email from Philmont that we have been awarded a 12 day trek to Philmont for 2021. All of our money has been moved to the 2021 reservation. We still have 11 signed up and will have room for 1 more scout from our troop.

We are hoping to get a trek in 2022 for the other scouts that will be old enough by that time.

Good luck to all the others that are in our same situation.