Philmont Scout Ranch is the Boy Scouts of America's oldest national high-adventure base. It covers 137,000 acres - about 214 square miles - of rugged mountain wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) range of the Rocky Mountains in northern New Mexico.
Thirty-four staffed camps and 55 trail camps are operated by the ranch. Philmont has high mountains dominating rough terrain with elevations ranging from 6,500 to 12,441 feet.
Philmont Scout Ranch provides an unforgettable adventure in sky-high backpacking country along hundreds of miles of rugged, rocky trails. Program features combine the best of the Old West - horseback riding, burro packing, gold panning, chuck wagon dinners, and interpretive history - with exciting challenges for today, such as rock climbing, burro racing, mountain biking, and .30-06 rifle shooting. It's an unbeatable recipe for fast-moving fun and the outdoors.
Philmont 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 an opportunity for fellowship and understanding unequalled anywhere in America.
Participants must be at least 14 by September 1st of the year attending Philmont.
2012 COL Contingent - 2013 COL Contingent and Beyond
Planning Resources - Training Resources
2012 Cradle of Liberty Council Contingent
Upcoming Dates to Remember:
April 21-22, 2012 - Wilderness & Remote First Aid and CPR Training - $40 - MUST attend both days
Class Full: Register for WFA/CPR Wait List (Scroll down to the "Training" section)
May 12-13, 2012 - Philmont Contingent Training Weekend @ Camp Hart
All Participants for 2012 MUST attend. Advisors have received details through email.
June 23, 2012 - Depart from Philadelphia International for Philmont
We have a few spots open in the 2012 Contingent. We can accomodate individuals and pairs to incorporate with our current crews. If you'd like to register or get more information, please email the High Adventure Committee here, or call/email Mark Saxon (msaxon@colbsa.org) at the council office. Registration forms and information can be found below.
For more information, please fill out the "Get More Information" form under the "High Adventure" menu to the left.
2012 Payment Form (must accompany ALL crew payments made to registrar)
2012 Application Supplemental Information
2012 Scholarship Application (for financial need)
2013 Cradle of Liberty Council Contingent
2013 Crews should be collecting and turning in individual applications and deposits for their participants. Individuals not part of a crew, but wishing to attend, should fill out and send in the below application and deposit to the council office. We'll contact you to connect you with a crew in your area.
2013 Contingent Ad (for promoting within units)
2013 Advisor Agreement (Required for all adults)
2013 Scholarship Application (for financial need)
2013 Crew Payment Form (must accompany all payments)
2014 Contingent and Beyond
We are also taking information from crews interested in attending Philmont in 2014 and 2015. A unit representative should fill out the Reservation Intent form below. They will then get preferred status when reservations are due.
2014 and 2015 Reservation Intent Form
Planning Resources
The Cradle of Liberty Council High Adventure Committee has put together a number of planning resources for use by individuals and crews. If you need additional information, please contact the Committee (email here) or the council office.
| Planning a Successful High Adventure Trek | PDF with details on the 'how' and 'why' of high adventure |
| 2012 Unit and Council Planning Guide | Philmont publication to assist units and councils in planning their Philmont trek |
| Trek Selection Assistance | Philmont website section devoted to trek selection |
| BSA Medical Form | Same medical form is now used for all High Adventure and unit activities (note section D) |
Training Resources
Over the years, the council has worked to fine tune its annual Philmont training program. We begin training each year in September or October and culminate with a weekend training at Camp Hart in May for all participants. Council contingent crews are required to participate; those traveling on their own are welcome to join us for any and all of the training offered. Although some is focused on the Council Contingent, most information is pertinent to all interested in a Philmont Expedition.
| 2012 COL Training Guide |
PDF document - detailed information and tips for crew training throughout the year --- |
