Philmont Scout Ranch is a high adventure camp operated by the Boy
Scouts of America in Cimarron, New Mexico. It is the best known Boy Scout
camp in the world. Scouts from all states, Europe, and Japan backpack its
rugged and beautiful terrain.
Philmont is large, comprising 137,493 acres or about 215 square miles
of mountain wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rockies. There
are 32 staffed camps and 50 unstaffed camps operated by the ranch. The
terrain is challenging for all backpackers with base camp at 6500 ft. and
mountain peaks rising to 12,441 ft. The vast expanse of the ranch leads
the camper to experience a variety of weather patterns from 100°
temperatures in desert regions to hail and snow in the mountains. There is
abundant wildlife, such as brown bears, elk, pronghorn sheep, mule deer,
mountain lions, beaver, wild turkeys, and minibears (huge squirrels).
The size of Philmont and the contrast of
its terrain and wildlife with the Midwest are striking. The vistas are
breathtaking. The beauty of the camp, the exciting program activities, and
the challenge of the rugged trails leave each scout with experiences which
he will treasure for a lifetime. He will return from Philmont as stronger
person with a truer sense of himself and what he can achieve. For in
meeting the physical challenges of the trek and in learning to work with
his crew, the scout learns that he can accomplish more than he ever
imagined. Philmont is more than a camping trip; it is a life
experience.
Who is eligible for a Philmont
trek?
Registered scouts must be at least 14 by January 1, or have completed
8th grade prior to participation.
What is the cost?
The final fee will be determined in the early fall when commitments
from travel providers can be secured. The fee for recent contingents has
been approximately $850.
What else
do I need to know?
To prepare the crew members for the
physical and emotional challenges of Philmont, there will be training
hikes and backpacking trips. These will be scheduled by the crew advisors
after consultation with the schedules of the crew members. Each crew
member is expected to participate in these events. Failure to do so may
result in being dropped from the contingent.
Want
more information?
Contact Philmont Advisor at 216- 861-6060.
Register now!
There are very few positions available in the contingent. Complete an
application and submit it with the registration fee to the Greater
Cleveland Council office to be considered for the contingent.
Each summer, more than 20,000 Scouts come to the Ranch to hike its
trails, climb its mountains, and learn about themselves and the
wilderness.
Nine-hundred seasonal staff work to ensure that every camper's Philmont
experience is something that will change them forever. For three months,
their goal is to make every camper feel like Philmont is their own.
Philmont challenges everything about you, both physically and mentally.
After your trek, you can go home to your teachers and parents and siblings
and know, "Hey, this is nothing. I climbed a 12,441-foot mountain! I can
handle this!"
The challenges of Philmont -- a freak hailstorm, a blown-out pack,
Pemmican Bars -- are what this place is all about. They are the things
that will give you the stories to tell your friends when you get home.
They are what will make you different for having come.
After Philmont, you will never be the same.
