Troop 2000 has secured a reservation for a 12 day trek at Philmont Scout Ranch for the Summer of 2018!!!
This is an amazing high adventure opportunity that provides a "once in a lifetime" (or twice or more for some) scouting experience. There are some critical dates and fast approaching deadlines to secure our reservation that we have, so it is important to get a participant list within a few weeks.
First and foremost, Philmont is only available to experienced scouts. Philmont trek participants must be 14 years of age OR completed 8th Grade and be at least 13 years of age prior to participation.
Philmont is a back-country trip that will be physically challenging. Therefore, anyone that wishes to go must commit themselves to getting into shape (especially the adults). This is not usually a problem for most kids who are in sports or are quite activie. It can be more of an issue with the adults. The trip will be more enjoyable, the better shape you are in. Adults must be in good health and must meet the high adventure height/weight restrictions that are found on the BSA medical form. There are no exceptions.
We will have at least 3 shakedown campouts and plenty of training hikes. Each participant must participate in at least 2 of the shakedown campouts and at least half of the training hikes.
By signing up, you are committing yourself to these requirements. If you do not follow through with your commitment and Troop 2000 leadership is concerned that you are not in good enough physical shape to go, the Troop 2000 committee may withhold you from the trip with a loss of your funds unless another scout takes your place.
We anticipate the 2016 itinerary to be:
Friday, June 22 - Depart Coralville
Sunday, June 24 - Check-in at Philmont
June 25 through July 5th - Trek
Friday, July 6th - Depart Philmont
Sunday, July 8th - Arrive in Coralville
The cost for this trip will be $940 per participant for Philmont plus travel costs. Travel costs were $250 per scout for our last trip and we anticipate that it will be similar dependent upon the price of gas. Exact travel costs will be determined a couple of months prior to the trip.
The first deposit of $100/per person (scouts and adults) is due by January 15th. We can take a maximum of 24 participants, the vast majority being scouts. We will take a minimum of four adults and a maximum of 8 adults (assuming we fill two crews) depending upon scout numbers.
Payment Schedule:
January 15th, 2017: $100 per person
September 1, 2017: $420 per person
February 1st, 2018: $420 per person
May 1st, 2018: Approximately $250 per scout.
Please note that Philmont does not provide refunds. Once you are signed up , Philmont expects full payment for your slot. So if you sign up and then choose not to go, there may be no recourse to get any money back unless another participant takes your place.
Other costs will be gear related. This is a self-contained backpacking trip and there will be costs related to personal gear some of which you may already have. Troop 2000 will provide all crew gear including tents, but there is personal gear needed that can add up to a significant cost dependent upon quality and weight of items. You may be able to borrow some gear from other scouts if needed. There is a mandatory personal gear list available(see link below) that all scouts must abide by. We will need all participants to obtain all required personal gear by February of 2016. The Big ticket items are a quality backpack(70L minimum and weighing less than 5lbs) and and a backpacking compressible sleeping bag(under 2lbs and good to 30 degrees).
For more information on Philmont, see these links below.
