Welcome Center

At last you're here! Drive through the gate to the unloading area at the Welcome Center, where a staff member will greet you with complete instructions for unloading. Please follow them carefully.

Meet Your Ranger

After unloading, you will meet your ranger, a well-qualified male or female that has a sincere interest in your group and has been trained to help your crew get started on a successful expedition. The ranger's job is to lead you through the Philmont check-in and to accompany you for 2 days on the trail to review camping and hiking skills.

Philmont Check-In

Before your crew hits the trail the following steps must be completed.

1. Tent Assignment
   You will receive tent assignments at the Welcome Center for your first night at Philmont. Your ranger will show your crew to their assigned tents. Wash, comb your hair, and put on a uniform to look sharp for your crew photograph.

2. Your Advisor Picks up the Key to Crew Locker
   You will be taken promptly to the Security office where you may reserve a crew locker for safekeeping your belongings. Only your advisor will have the locker key. All unattended gear and clothing must be stowed in your crew locker or vehicle when you hit the trail. Nothing can be left in your tent.

3. Your Advisor Meets the Registrar
   Your contingent leader or advisor will meet the registrar in the Camping Headquarters office to finalize fee payments. A complete roster of participants must be turned in at this time and certificates shown for first aid and CPR. Philmont requires that at least one person (preferably two) in each crew be currently certified in American Red Cross First Aid and CPR or the equivalent. A large envelope for storing extra money and valuable papers will be issued here. When you have deposited these items, your advisor will return the envelope to the registrar to store in a safe while you are on the trail.

4. Your Leaders Visit Logistics Services
   Your adult advisor and crew leader will meet one of the itinerary planners at Logistics Services to finalize arrangements for your program, food pickups and bus transportation. Advisors should bring a Philmont map to mark your route and campsites. You will be given a copy of your selected itinerary as a souvenir of your Philmont adventure.

5. Your Crew Photograph
   A Philmont photographer will take the picture and color prints (8"x10") will be available when you return from the trail. Each person will receive one photo free. The photographer will record the crew order. The BSA uniform or crew uniform is appropriate dress.

6. Medical Recheck
   A medical recheck will be given to all crew members. Your ranger will give you the procedures for this required recheck. Participants who do not satisfactorily complete this recheck will be sent home at their expense.

7. Laundry - Trail Equipment - Trail Food Issue - Mail
   Soiled uniforms and other dirty clothing may be laundered at Philmont's self-service laundromat. One or more crew members should be assigned to bring all the crew's dirty clothes to the laundry. All clothing should be marked with your names in indelible ink and any loose patches or insignia should be removed to save time and confusion for everyone. Laundry soap and supplies are available from the Trading Post.

   Trail equipment including tents, poles, cutlery kits, cooking pots, etc. will be issued to your crew from the trail equipment section of the Mabee Services Building. Your first trail food will be issued in this complex also. The crew leader's copy of your itinerary must be presented to draw your trail food.

   Just before leaving the Mabee Services Building, your advisor should pick up your mail.

8. Shakedown
   In a place designated by your ranger you will unpack everything. Your ranger will review the necessary items and demonstrate the best methods of packing at Philmont. Store excess items in your crew locker

   PLEASE NOTE: After leaving Camping Headquarters, there is NO opportunity to return excess baggage. If you have doubts about taking certain items, discuss them with your ranger.

9. Your Crew Reporter Visits News and Photo Service
   Before departing for Philmont, your crew should select one member to serve as its reporter. The reporter should contact local news media and arrange to have one or two articles about your Philmont expedition published. Philmont's News and Photo Service will furnish helpful hints and other information for news articles to your reporter.

10. Tour Camping Headquarters -- Trading Post
    As time permits, your ranger can give you a tour of Camping Headquarters. Tours of the Villa Philmonte can be scheduled at the Philmont Museum.

    Your tour should include a visit to the Trading Post, where a complete supply of Scout uniforms and equipment, Philmont items (patches, belts, buckles, wool jackets, maps, etc.), and other souvenirs are available. You will have another opportunity to visit the trading post when you return from the trail.

11. Headquarters Dining Hall
    In Camping Headquarters, you will eat in the dining hall. The menus are well-balanced and nutritious.

12. Advisor's Meeting/Crew Leader's Meeting
    Separate meetings will take place for advisors and crew leaders. Topics will include current backcountry conditions as well as tips to improve your expedition.

13. Religious Services
    Chaplains of Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, and Mormon faiths conduct services at Camping Headquarters beginning at 7 p.m. Your crew is encouraged to attend. The Trading Post and Snack Bar will be closed at this time.

14. Write Home
    After supper is a good time to write home. Your parents will enjoy hearing from you. (Writing kits, Philmont postcards, and pens are available at the Trading Post.)

15. Opening Campfire
    Your first evening campfire at Philmont is a pageant of the "Philmont Story," a historic narrative of the Southwest. Your Philmont adventure begins here. Warm clothing is recommended for this and all campfires.

16. A Good Night's Sleep
    Following the campfire, quietly return to your tent and crawl into your bedroll for a good night's sleep. Tomorrow you hit the trail.

17. Security and Lost-and-Found
    Philmont maintains a full security system with an office. A lost-and-found office is maintained at the same office.

Day Two at Philmont

At Headquarters

After breakfast, check out of tent city and report to the Welcome Center at the time scheduled for your departure.

Enroute to Starting Camp

A Philmont bus will take your crew within hiking distance of you starting camp. Be prepared to hike to your camp.

Starting Camp

Here your ranger will work with you on

• Mountain hiking and camping skills
• Map reading and using a compass
• Adjusting to high elevations
• Trail safety and first aid
• Stove and liquid fuel safety
• Fire building and extinguishing (conditions permitting)
• Cooking dehydrated menus at high elevations
• Camp sanitation
• Wilderness Pledge--your personal commitment
• Conservation and environmental awareness
• Low-impact and minimal-trace camping skills and techniques

Day Three at Philmont

After a good night's sleep and a good breakfast in starting camp your ranger will hike with you on the first leg of your Philmont trek. Your ranger will be on hand to assist you and will offer constructive ideas on how to sharpen your camping skills. When your crew has achieved reasonable proficiency in hiking and camping skills, your ranger will leave you (usually early in the morning of your fourth day). Then you are strictly on your own.

Hiking on Philmont

Philmont abounds with picturesque hiking areas. Every section of the ranch has many opportunities for stimulating and beautiful hikes. Take time to enjoy those scenic panoramas, delicate wild flowers, rippling streams, majestic peaks and towering trees. Some of the most beautiful scenery is along little-used trails and remote trail c amps. When your crew is quiet you may see wildlife including deer, turkey, porcupine, elk, bobcat, coyote, badger, and bear. Be sure to record on your wildlife census card the animals you see.

Hiking on Philmont is often difficult. Weighty packs, steel, trails, and high altitudes challenge even the best backpackers. Remember, your trek is a team effort. Stronger hikers are expected to hell) weaker ones. Faster hikers should hike near the end of the line and encourage the slower ones in front. Your crew should always hike together, within hearing of one another. This avoids the terrifying experience of someone being lost. Due to risks involved, Philmont discourages hiking at night except on well traveled trails near your camp.