A HUGE thank you to Heidi for typing up the minutes.

1. Trek Leader (and parents be aware of)
   1. Check health forms to make sure ALL required
      signatures are complete.
   2. All Philmont bills (to Philmont and the train) have
      been paid, so balances should be zero when you check-in.
   3. Crew gear (per crew, plus individual scouts should
      each have BOLDED items)

1. 1. Watch your e-mail!  Crew leaders may send out final information
2. Logistics
3. Departure

1. 1. Arrival in New Mexico

1. 1. Back at base camp from trek

1. 1. Travel back to Iowa: each vehicle will make sure to
      alert the parents of the scouts in their vehicle as to the actual arrival time. It should be around 3pm on Sunday, July 17 – but the trains could run late. Your child will be delivered to your house!!!! No need to wait at Orchard Hill J
2. Money

1. Your fees have paid for all meals
   (including those on the way down to New Mexico and back). Cash will be
   distributed by your Lead Adult Advisor to each scout for meals. During our meeting,  scouts made a bag of snacks to carry on the train. These are for both down to New Mexico and back.
2. You can send extra cash with your scout for additional snacks (on the train and in base camp) and souvenirs. They may want to even carry $10 with them on the trail (leaving other money and valuables at base camp). A few of the back-country staff camps sell snacks.
   Batteries and disposable cameras are also available in the back-country.
3. If your scout forgets to bring extra cash, leaders will NOT give out additional cash!!!!! SO, plan ahead!!

1. Luggage & Train ride

1. The scouts get a reclining seat on
   the train. Seats have pull-out leg rests, so sleeping on the train is possible.
   Charging stations are available on the train for any electronic devices and phones. THIS WILL BE THE ONLY ACCESS to electricity while on this trip (for adults there is a charging station in the advisors lounge, scouts can charge phones in the bathroom). All phone communication will need to be done BEFORE reaching base camp, as electronics are not to be used at Philmont (including
   base camp, except for calls home).
2. Electronic devices can be used on  the train, but NOT at base camp or on the trail. Any devices brought will be stored in a lockbox (assuming there is space) while at base camp and on the trail. Keep in mind the limited “lock box” space at base camp. Each crew will have two 2x2x3 foot lockers of space – that means one locker holds the “base camp” gear of six people! This includes the carry-on bags!!
   Each trek leader will carry a cell phone while on the trail (for emergencies).
   In the past, cell service on the trail has been poor and limited to sending a small text – not long calls.
3. You will wear your Troop t-shirt on the train ride down and back (storing it at base camp while on the trail). Laundry is available at base camp – so with enough time, clothes could be washed after the trek.
4. On the way down to Ratone, it is important to be ready to get off the train quickly. Be aware of the time and have your carry-on packed up and be ready.

1. Mail and Communication

1. Scouts can send mail home by taking
   STAMPED post-cards with them (stamps are not available on the trail). Mail is
   collected at the back-country staff camps and sent through US mail.
2. EMERGENCY PHONE CONTACT – This is
   for life/death emergencies only!!!!!! You can call 575-376-2281.

1. Helpful Information

1. Cedar Falls is at 650 feet in elevation. Philmont base camp is at 6700 feet and the highest elevation on our itinerary is 10, 328 feet!!!! Some people have trouble adjusting to the elevation, called altitude sickness. The best way to prevent this is to stay hydrated and
   rested – SO, DRINKING WATER ON THE TRAIN AND GETTING SOME SLEEP ON THE TRAIN is wise! We are lucky that we arrive at Philmont a day earlier than most treks, so we’ll have a bit of time to adjust slowly. Scouts will get packets of Gaterade and it is wise to drink at least one per day while on the trail – even if you don’t like the taste!
2. Send several plastic trash bags with your scout.
   Keep your sleeping bag in two (double bag) to help keep it dry. Additional bags are for tent parts (since will be splitting the tent between two people) and other gear.
3. It is suggested to keep stuff and clothes in ziplock bags for three reasons. ONE, you can quickly find what you need instead of digging through stuff; TWO, you can squish clothes and push the air out, compressing it smaller for easy packing; and THREE, you can put toiletries in a ziplock with your name for easy identification when getting them out of the bear-bag. REMEMBER, toiletries are kept in the bear bag (this includes anything with a smell, like toothpaste and chapstick). Your stuff will be with 11 other people’s stuff in the bear bag, so ziplocks can make finding your stuff easier.
4. Medications – All medications are
   kept by the individual scout. Each scout will be responsible for
   remembering to bring their medications with them on the trail AND to take their medications each day. New Mexico law allows this, thus the signature spots under the medication boxes on Part A of the health form are not required. In Iowa (so at Camp Ingawanis), it IS required since all medications are to be administered by the health officer – so permission signatures are required.
5. KNOW YOUR KNOTS! You need to be able to do the Lark’s Head, Clove Hitch, and Taut Line.
6. Mosquitoes are almost non-existent at Philmont. Treks in the past haven’t used any bug spray. SO, if you want to have some, only a small bottle is necessary.
7. Sunscreen: Only a small amount is needed (about 2-4 oz per person).
8. Soap/shampoo: Use biodegradable camp soap. It only takes 1-2 drops to wash a shirt or take a shower. It is suggested that each crew have 1-2 4-ounce bottle with them .
9. Carabineers: There will be times you want to hang stuff (wet clothes, extra water pack, etc) off the loops on your backpack. It is suggested that each scout have 3-4 carabineers to use for
   this purpose. Each crew will make sure to have 2 heavy-duty, load-bearing carabineers to use with the bear bags.
10. Cameras: If your scout wants to take pictures, make sure to send a camera – don’t depend on their cell phone as a camera. Cell phones generally will run out of battery very quickly when used as
    a camera and there is NO PLACE TO CHARGE at Philmont base camp or on the trail. Bring extra batteries for the camera! Disposable film cameras are available for purchase at some of the back-country staff camps.
11. High Adventure Blog: Greg Harter has started a high-adventure blog. Visit this to find information on Philmont, packing information, trek schedules, train information, etc. Go to troop55cfia.org/wordpress