Preparing for a Philmont Preparing for a Philmont ExpeditionExpeditionVenture Crew 140Venture Crew 140

Personal Hiking TechniquesPersonal Hiking Techniques

The Expedition CoordinatorThe Expedition Coordinator

Responsible for ALL contact with Philmont– Correspondence– Payments– Base Camp administrative matters

Responsible for ALL individual, crew, and contingent paperwork

Final responsibility for all logistical aspects of getting to, attending, and getting home from Philmont

Required PaperworkRequired Paperwork

Individual Paperwork we require:Participant Physical Exam/Insurance Card copy

Parts ABC of BSA MedFormProof of YPT (all participants over 18) IN THE

YEAR OF THE EXPEDITIONCPR & Wilderness First Aid certifications (all

participants needs these if at all possible)

Required PaperworkRequired Paperwork

Crew paperwork required:Completed crew roster for check-inCompleted talent release for check-inCPR & First Aid certifications for check-inProof of YPT APPROVED National Tour Permit

Monetary ConsiderationsMonetary Considerations

The Philmont expedition feeContingency/transportation feePersonal gear purchasesShakedown expensesContingent/crew t-shirts, hats, patchesTooth of Time TradersOther spending money

Payment SchedulePayment Schedule

Philmont Expedition Fee ($855.00/ person):

– $100.00 deposit due January 31, 2014

– $377.50 payment due Sep 30th, 2014

– $377.50 payment due April 15, 2015

Travel Fee (approx $250.00 per person):Due May 15th

ParticipantParticipantAgreementAgreement

Each participant agrees to:– Monetary commitment– Training commitment– Shakedown commitment– Any other commitments or requirements

deemed necessary by the unit– Conduct expectations (Scout Oath and Law)

Philmont Age RequirementsPhilmont Age Requirements

Scouts/Venturers:Scouts/Venturers MUST EITHER be 14 by

January 1 of year of expedition, OR be 13 and finish the Eighth Grade prior to the expedition.

Participants between the age of 18 to 20 years old can be classified either as youth participants or advisors.

When is a Scout ready for When is a Scout ready for Philmont?Philmont?

Physically, the Scout must be capable of accomplishing the trek and he/she must be the one who wants to go.

The Scout must have demonstrated an ability of being able to take care of their own personal affairs (maturity).

The Scout must have demonstrated the ability to work within a patrol or crew environment either as a leader or follower.

The Scout's parents must have a willingness to cooperate with the advisors for the high adventure trip.

The Philmont “Crew”The Philmont “Crew”

Minimum 7 people – maximum 12 peopleMajority must be youth participants – no

more than 4 adults (over 21) per crewMust have at least one advisor over 21 per

crewCrew is led by the youth Crew Leader

with the backing of the adult lead advisor

The Philmont Crew LeaderThe Philmont Crew Leader

The Crew Leader is the youth leader of the trail crew.

All Philmont staff will work with the crew through the Crew Leader.– Staff will generally only approach adulst

advisors in front of the crew if there are problems.

Responsible for the day to day operation of the crew.

The Lead Adult AdvisorThe Lead Adult Advisor

Each crew needs a “lead adult advisor” – this is the advisor that the youth Crew Leader

and Philmont staff will approach with problems or questions

The lead advisor should include ALL advisors in making any needed decisions concerning the crew

Role of AdvisorsRole of Advisors

The #1 responsibility of the advisors is to build and train crews that will work together successfully at Philmont.

Train the Crew Leaders in what is expected from them.

Train the crews in the techniques needed for Philmont success.

Get out of the way! Philmont is the ultimate youth-led Scouting experience.

Crew Gear ThoughtsCrew Gear Thoughts

Philmont provides a long list of gear that crews can borrow if they do not own certain necessary gear.

C140 uses almost uses some of our own crew gear.– Tents and stoves– Our gear is usually lighter than Philmont’s gear.– Our crews train using our gear.– See handout of gear list.

Crew Gear Inventory & Crew Gear Inventory & AssignmentAssignment

Inventory and acquire needed crew gear before shakedowns begin.

Put together crew gear kits for each crew. Each crew uses the same gear from shakedowns through Philmont.

Once gear is assigned, each crew is responsible for maintaining or replacing gear lost or damaged on shakedowns or at Philmont.

Personal Backpacking DisciplinePersonal Backpacking Discipline

Proper care of personal equipmentProper packing of equipmentPersonal neatness and cleanlinessUnderstanding of the mental and physical

requirements of long-distance backpacking.

Willingness to work as part of a team

Personal Hiking TechniquesPersonal Hiking Techniques

Personal Backpacking GearPersonal Backpacking Gear

We require fairly strict adherence to our personal gear list.– The overall average Philmont pack is 52

pounds. You can do better!

We have personal gear “check-outs” on every shakedown campout.

See attached example gear list from Philmont and from previous trekker.

Personal Backpacking GearPersonal Backpacking Gear

Special comments– Plan to wash clothes and only carry 1-2

changes of clothes. Can wash anytime with water and 2 galloon baggie!

– Plan to carry 3 liters of water, each liter weighs 2.2 lb! (total: 6.6 lb of water)

– Bring gear that is lightweight and compactable.– You will carry some crew gear: pot, first aid kit,

rope, etc.

Physical PreparationPhysical Preparation

High altitude backpacking simulation – stuff a wool sock in mouth, duct tape mouth shut, clothespin on nose, run 5 miles

Need aerobic training, strength training, and MILES in a pack to prepare for Philmont. 

Each participant needs to begin a SERIOUS training regimen by January of the expedition year.

Participants AND advisors that do not prepare physically will be left at home.

The Philmont Weight ChartThe Philmont Weight ChartHeight Weight

RecommendationMaximum Allowance

5’0” 97-138 166

5’1” 101-143 172

5’2” 104-148 178

5’3” 107-152 183

5’4” 111-157 189

5’5” 114-162 195

5’6” 118-167 201

5’7” 121-172 207

5’8” 125-178 214

5’9” 129-185 220

Height Weight Recommendation

Maximum Allowance

5’10” 132-188 226

5’11” 136-194 233

6’0” 140-199 239

6’1” 144-205 246

6’2” 148-210 252

6’3” 152-216 260

6’4” 156-222 267

6’5” 160-228 274

6’6” 164-234 281

6’7” & over

170-240 295

Personal Hiking TechniquesPersonal Hiking Techniques

Posture and strideThe “Lock Step”Strong exhalation breathing

““Smellables” Smellables”

No deodorantNo sun screen after

morningAnything with food on

or in it must go into bear bag at night.

“sleep clothes”

RestroomsRestrooms

Typical IssuesTypical Issues(some avoidable)(some avoidable)

Blisters Chafing avoidableGear breakdown Sprains / cuts

Philmont ShakedownsPhilmont Shakedowns

For 2015, we will hold at least three - four shakedown trips.

Participants will be expected to participate in a minimum of two of these shakedowns.

Shakedown planning meetings are held outside of regular Troop/Crew meetings.

Work in at least 7 hours of conservation for each participant, so each will earn the 50 Miler award upon completing their trek.

Philmont ShakedownsPhilmont Shakedowns

Train specific skills:– Camp set up "Philmont style" – “bear-muda”

triangle, smellables and bear bagging – 45 minutes

– Camp tear down – 30 minutes– Cooking, KP, etc– Map and compass (GPS and UTM if using a

GPS at Philmont) – Crew and individual hiking techniques – Water purification using tablets– Simulated Philmont meals (freeze dried)

Typical C140 Trail Day at Typical C140 Trail Day at PhilmontPhilmont

5:30am – Rise and Shine

6:30am – On the trail7am – Breakfast11:30 – Lunch1:00-3:00pm – Arrive

at next camp 3pm – Program

4:30pm – Watermen, and cooks begin work

5:30pm – Dinner6:30pm – KP done7:30pm – Thorns,

buds, and roses9pm - Taps

2015 Philmont Shakedowns2015 Philmont Shakedowns

January – Lone Star Hiking Trail

March– Hill Country State Natural Area

May– TBD

Our Philmont Duty RosterOur Philmont Duty Roster

We build a duty roster that includes responsibility for each participant each day

The Duty Roster is the Law

Lists all daily crew duties

For example:– Navigator– Weatherman– Trashman– Bear Bag Team (4)– Waterman (2)– Cook (2)– KP(2)

The Philmont ItineraryThe Philmont Itinerary

The ITINERARY is the “roadmap” you will follow on your 12 days at the ranch – includes camps, programs, food pick-ups, etc.

Philmont offers a wide range of experiences – from “typical” to “super strenuous” – 35 different itineraries

Maximum of 2 crews can start each itinerary each day

Crew & Itinerary Planning Crew & Itinerary Planning WorksheetWorksheet

Participant Preferences:– Type of trek– Program features– Crewmates

Prioritize crew placement based on:– Parent on trip– Crewmate requests– Program features– Knowledge of participants ability level

Itinerary Selection MeetingItinerary Selection Meeting

A mandatory crew meeting is needed in February of the expedition year to select each crew’s top 5 itinerary selections

Find a TREKS itinerary book from the previous season if possible – use internet sources if not

Use a worksheet to list camps/programs for each itinerary selected

See attached itinerary treks

2005 Contingent T-shirts2005 Contingent T-shirts

Can design our own.

Coolmax material.

Keys to Crew Success:Keys to Crew Success:

A strong Crew Leader (youth leader of the crew)A crew that understands each other's strengths

and weaknesses A crew that makes a good teamAdvisors that stay out of the way Understanding what is expected and what is to

come Teaching, preparation, and practice Day to day discipline

Keys to Youth Participant Success:Keys to Youth Participant Success:

The DESIRE to go to Philmont A personal understanding of the day to

day demands and expectations at Philmont

Personal backpacking discipline Dedication to physical and mental

preparation before the trek

Keys to Adult Advisor Success:Keys to Adult Advisor Success:

PHYSICAL PREPARATION - if you are not willing to get into the proper shape for this type of experience, do the crew a favor and stay home

Take care of the "little things" - trip related logistics and requirements

Take care of the "big things" - build the best crews possible, then train those crews to be self-sufficient

Itinerary SelectionItinerary Selection

You are in and you are getting You are in and you are getting ready. What are you going to do ready. What are you going to do

when you get there?when you get there?

Expedition Add-OnsExpedition Add-Ons

Pre-Philmont or Post-Philmont Pre-Philmont or Post-Philmont activities can add to the fun.activities can add to the fun.

Philmont Day 2Philmont Day 2

Your first day on the trail.Your first day on the trail.

This is where your vacation begins.This is where your vacation begins.

How well did you do?How well did you do?

Questions and Questions and commentscomments

Remember, we all pay a lot of Remember, we all pay a lot of money to do this…money to do this…