Most Boy Scouts and their adult leaders who travel to Philmont Scout Ranch participate in a 12-day backpacking trip called the Expedition Trek. However, for those who want more challenge and adventure, Philmont offers several individual trek programs. These are treks where Scouts and Venturers travel to New Mexico on their own, and are put into provisional crews with Philmont staff.
Rayado
The Rayado Trek is a 21-day program where Scouts are arranged into crews and hike around Philmont with two Rangers. The program is considered an adventure that challenges participants through activities that build leadership and teamwork. The age range to participate is 16-20, with both male and female crews.
R.O.C.S.
Short for Roving Outdoor Conservation School, ROCS is also a 21-day program for Scouts 16-20 years old. Participants are arranged into single-gender crews and travel across Philmont, learning about environmental and conservation topics. These include bears, wildfire ecology, land management, and water resources. The crews also get to participate in a conservation work project, such as trail building. Each crew has two ROCS guides for the whole trek.
Trail Crew
The primary focus of this program is to build trail or work on other conservation projects at Philmont. Participants can be either gender between the ages of 16-20. Two members from the Philmont Conservation Department hike and work with each crew throughout their trek.
Order of the Arrow Trail Crew
Similar to Trail Crew, this program incorporates trail building along with the traditions of the Order of the Arrow. This is a national camping service organization that is part of the Boy Scouts of America. The trek involves participants working on a conservation project for seven days, and then backpacking for seven days. Applicants must be a member of the Order of the Arrow to participate and be between 16 and 20 years old.
Ranch Hands
Ranch Hands provides an opportunity for male and female participants 16-20 years old to work at the Philmont Horse Department, performing many of the duties that the wranglers and horsemen do. Participants also get to go on an 8-day Cavalcade trek with two Philmont Horsemen.
Mountain Trek
Mountain Treks are meant for male and female participants whose parents/guardians are attending the Philmont Training Center for a week-long training conference. Participants get to hike for the week in the Philmont backcountry as a crew, with two Rangers. Scouts/Venturers must be between the ages of 14 and 20 to participate.
More Information
For more information on special trek programs, current program fees, and application forms, visit the official Philmont website.
Note: The author is a 2008 member of the Philmont staff.
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