The Magic of

There is a magic spell at Philmont. Long ago the Indians felt it. Later Kit Carson, Lucien Maxwell, and other mountain men were captivated by Philmont Country. A century later, the late Mr. Waite Phillips found himself under its same spell. Nearly a half century ago, his son, Elliott, and and his cousins found it almost a neccessity to return to Philmont during their high school and college summer vacations.

Location and Terrain

is a national High Adventure base, owned and operated by Boy Scouts of America. Philmont is large, comprising 137,493 acres or about 215 square miles of rugged mountain wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) range of the Rockies. Thirty-one staffed camps and fifty unstaffed camps are opperated by the ranch (four camps are in the national forest). Philmont has high mountains which dominate rough terrain with an elevation ranging from 6,500 to 12,441 feet.

History

has a unique history of ancient Indians who chiseled writings into canyon walls... Spanish conquistadors who explored the Southwest long before the first colonists arrived on the Atlantic coast... the rugged breed of mountain men like Kit Carson who blazed trails across this land... the great land barons likeLucien Maxwell who built ranchos along the Sante Fe Trail, and miners, loggers, and cowboys. All these people left their mark on Philmont.

Wildlife

is abundant with wildlife- deer, elk, coyote, antelope, mountain lion, buffalo, beaver, wild turkey, bear, and others. Its hills and canyons teem with birds and its streams abound with fish. Its cool mountains harbor a wilderness of bounty- trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses.

Beauty

is rich in natural beauty, including the soaring Tooth of Time... sunrise from lofty Mount Waite Phillips... the blue water of Cimmaroncito Reservoir... the panoramic sweep of the plains from Urraca Mesa... and sunlight filtering through aspens along rippling Rayado.

Fellowship

means camping with your own unit as well as meeting and sharing experiences with other crews from all over America and from other countries. This is and oppurtunity for fellowship and understanding unequalled anywhere in America.

Staff

has one of the finests staffs in America. Each man and woman on the large seasonal staff is carefully selected and trained. Scouting spirit, knowledge of camping skills, keen interestsin their respective program specialties, and a love for Philmont make the staff dedicated to seeing that you have a rewarding and memorable experience.

Philmont cattle brand

Philmont horse brand