2011 Troop 118 has secured a slot for a single crew at Philmont.

Updated 8-31-2010.

 Depart KC July 23, 2011.  Return KC August 6, 2011

August 31, Troop 118 sent deposits for 5 scouts and 3 adults to attend Philmont.  We believe that we will be able to add to this number, watch for details.

This trek will be led by adult advisors:  Mr. Stanley and Mr. Castillo.

Here are the basics:

·         Total fees expected to be $1,000 per participant.

·         Fees are not refundable.

·         $100 deposit required by August 29

·         $312.50 payment due by Sept. 27

·         $312.50 payment due by March 21

·         $233 Transportation/shirt/shakedown fee due    ?????  (Amtrak)  NOTE:  We will hold a meeting to decide on our Transportation Arrangements.

·         Scouts need to provide their own Backpack (work with Scout families if you need to borrow one.  Philmont rents quality packs for $18).

·         Other potential personal gear you may need to buy:  Quality Hiking Boots, Rain Gear.

·         Participating scouts will function as a crew throughout the year building a cooperative team and training up for this event.

·         The nature of this event requires the highest degree of discipline and strict adherence to rules established by Philmont, the Advisors, and the Crew Chief.

·         There will be a several mandatory hikes and a mandatory shakedown backpacking overnight prior to the event.  This is important to demonstrate our boys are ready for the challenge.

·         The motto for this event will be “Crew First”, each individual will focus on work benefitting the entire crew before addressing personal needs.

·         Due to our standby status, scholarship opportunities have all passed last spring.  Philmont, the Council, and the Troop do not have scholarship funds for this event.

·         This is a physically demanding event.  Scouts must demonstrate the maturity and the capability to carry 30-50 lb packs in altitudes from 6,500 to 12,500 ft.

·         Philmont requires scouts to be 14 by Jan 1 2011.  Troop 118 Requires scouts to be the rank of Star.  Slots will be awarded by rank beginning with Eagles, then Life Scouts and then Star Scouts.

This is a rewarding event that creates lifelong memories!

When is a Scout ready for Philmont?

contributed by Baltimore Area Council

More and more crews are going to Philmont with younger scouts. There are many reasons for this, but the prime is that the troop may not get another opportunity to hike Philmont again. Therefore, some advisors feel that a bad Philmont experience is better than no Philmont experience at all. In 1998, there were several crews with scouts who had not even begun puberty.

Every day was a nightmare for them. To have the ultimate scouting experience, it is important that the scouts have the maturity to be successful.

Below are considerations on whether a scout is ready to have his best Philmont experience:

1. Physically, the scout must be capable of accomplishing the trek and he must be the one who wants to go.

Often parents are the sole motivating reason for a scout attending. When it hails or when in pain with severe blisters, what will sustain the scout is the fact that he choose to participate.

2. The scout must have demonstrated an ability of being able to take care of his personal affairs (maturity).

The scout must be willing to drink water that has been purified with iodine. The scout has to understand that he must remain hydrated and drinking water that sometimes tastes bad or looks dirty is required for his own health.

The scout must we willing to eat food not for taste but for body fuel. Some of Philmont's food does not taste very good but the scout must understand that he needs to fill up his tank every day.

The scout must be willing to wash himself and clothes regularly to get the salt off his body and clothes otherwise rashes will develop.

The scout must understand that any form of horseplay is not tolerated because if anyone gets hurt, it is frequently miles before the crew can get help for the injured hiker.

3. The scout must have demonstrated working within a patrol or crew environment as either a leader or follower.

The scout must be willing to do his job correctly without being repeatedly reminded.

The scout must be willing to wake up at reveille and not linger in his sleeping bag.

The main reason for advisors to become involved with doing the in camp work is that the scouts get tired and wait for the advisors to do the work. THIS IS NOT BOY SCOUTING.

It is guaranteed that there will be times when everyone is tired, uncomfortable and hungry.  Each scout must have the wherewithal to push through hardship and finish his job despite the adversity.

It is the adult in charge who is the sole person who must determine which scout participates and which scout does not