Here is the 2009 Philmont Training Center Schedule.  The entire information packet is available in the Downloads section of the website or by clicking on the link below.

 2009 Training Center Conference Schedule

The Philmont Training Center is nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northeastern New Mexico near Cimarron. Rich in history and natural beauty, this area offers exciting educational experiences for the entire family. PTC has served as the National Training Center for the Boy Scouts of America since 1950. A variety of weeklong conferences will be conducted for unit, district, and council volunteers and professionals. Each conference features the latest tools, audiovisuals, and techniques led by
a faculty of experienced Scouters. The conference schedule permits ample time for family activities, day hiking, and recreation. Our summer staff will lead hiking, tours, handicrafts, and outdoor activities. A weeklong backcountry Mountain Trek for Venturing-aged youth is also offered (excepting Weeks 1 and 12). Invitations to these conferences
are initiated by your local council. Full details on programs are sent to participants upon acceptance of the invitation for registration. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

National Capital Area scouters Cooper Wright and Wally Feurtado began the unofficial publication called the "Philmont Advisor's Guide" more than fifteen years ago.  The Philmont Advisor's Guide is supported with input from experienced advisors and Philmont rangers.  Mimi Hatch, currently the chairperson of the Baltimore Area Council's Philmont Committee, became a contributor to the guide in 1997 and has been editing the guide for Cooper for the last five years.  This Fall, she has taken over responsibility for managing and publishing the guide.  As in the past, it will be updated continually throughout each year, in response to changes in Philmont best practices, policies and procedures.  The Fall 2008 version was just released.

This 118 page guide has proven invaluable to legions of scouters for many years, yet remains fresh, timely, and insightful.  The guide is a compilation of input from a network of advisors and staff, which is what makes it so unique. That network also includes experienced female advisors, rangers and ranger trainers, which adds an important perspective for the growing Venturing population at Philmont - and gives women the option of contacting peers "off-line" through contact info in the guide, for questions.

Mimi has created an email address specifically for Philmont Advisor's Guide correspondence at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please feel free to write to her at this address with any questions about the Philmont Advisor's Guide.  To order a copy of the guide, use the order form located at the following link on the Baltimore Area Council's Philmont Contingent website, which contains complete instructions.  http://www.bacphilmont.org/pag.html   As in the past when Coop edited the guide, the proceeds from the guide are used to benefit youth in scouting.

 2010 Philmont Registration Packet

I received the following email and information from Fran Romero at Philmont today..

E-Mail:

To All Interested Unit Representatives:

I’ve attached the 2010 Registration Packet containing all the information required to place an entry for your unit.  Please read the material carefully and note the week assigned to your BSA Region as well as the open week, in the event that you are not able to place an entry during your region’s assigned week.  The same information will follow by U.S. mail along with the Philmont Adventures Brochure.  Thank you for your interest in Philmont.

Fran Romero

Camping Registration

575-376-2281 x 1139

575-376-2636 (fax)

Reservation Information:

PHILMONT EXPEDITION REGISTRATION FOR 2010
Reservation requests for 2010 Expeditions for Philmont Scout Ranch will be made on the internet late October thru November of 2008. Please review the attached flyers for complete information and attendance requirements for Philmont.
The following information is provided to assist your unit in placing a reservation:

My Philmont return adventure started almost three years ago when my son and I were at Philmont on  7-05-N3, Trek 29, a 89 miler that did most of the ranch starting at Rayado Turnaround and ending at Ponil. We were to side hike the Tooth of Time and Baldy. It was a tough trek and when we were at Schaffers Pass, the decision was made not to sidehike the Tooth.  My son was really the only person that wanted to do the sidehike, but he was voted down. We both regretted that decision, and decided if we ever got the chance we would do another Philmont trek as long as going over the tooth was involved. In 2006 our Troop found out that it was going in 2008, but at that time, no one knew what trek we were doing. Two openings were available, but we would not commit to them until we knew where we were going. Both spaces filled up, and I forgot about  going. My Son, Brett, had an Eagle Court of Honor in the spring of 2007, and I made the decision to sell all my equipment, which I did. Two spaces on the trek opened again, but were filled before we found out about it.  Six weeks before the trek, I received an email urgently wanting two people to attend Philmont, one of which had to be an adult. My son and wife were sitting in the living room when I got home, and told me about the email. I asked Brett if he wanted to go, and he replied yes,  my wife gave me the OK, but at that time I still didn't know where the trek was going. My son he wanted to go even if it wasn't where we wanted to go. I contacted the Scout person in charge, and took the two spaces, got my vacation set , and started rounding up equipment. The pack was the most expensive, but a friend at Church gave me a great deal on one that was good enough for training. I had been working out for the past year, with taking a spinning class(simulated indoor cycling) three times a week. I had wondered why I was working out so hard, and I guess I had it in the back of my mind to be prepared just in case. Brett and I started training hiking three times a week, starting with 25 pounds for two miles, and increasing weight and distance each until we were doing 35 to 40 pounds 4 miles. With 10 days to go, Brett developed an ingrown toe nail, but the Doctor assured us it would be healed before the start of the trek. Enough background, on to Philmont 2008 Trek 26,  7-27-N2, ...................

(editors note - Philmont Two Timer's 2008 Philmont journal has been condensed into one blog entry for ease of reading.  No content has been added or taken away - except for this paragraph.  You can read his reflections on his trip by clicking here.  You can go to the photo album for this trip by clicking here.)

Below are talking points I’ve gleaned from a variety of sources about Philmont’s Valle Vidal. The Valle is trekked by Philmont crews , but not owned by Philmont. While it’s well-known that there are differences in a trek through the Valle, details are scarce and scattered.

Our venture crew, 1716, http://www.vcrew1716.com , is considering whether to trek the Valle in 2009. These notes were prepared to help them make a more informed decision. While care has been taken to be accurate, we (at this point in time) have no first-hand experience. If you find it useful, please let me know. Your corrections, amplifications, experiences or insights are welcome.

YiS, Steve Lagreca, Associate Advisor, Venture Crew 1716, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Part 1 of my 2008 trek journal.  Click on the link below if you'd like to read the journal...

Here is our 2008 Philmont Video - this has photos from all four trail crews...

Two weeks ago (really about 19 months ago) we found out we were going to get to go to Philmont.

Day before yesterday (really 20 days ago) we left on our Philimont trip.

Yesterday (really 5 days ago) we got back home.

The trip went that fast.

Here's a video of our ranger (Dave) giving the lunch bell story...

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