Philmont

WHAT IS PHILMONT?

Philmont Scout Ranch is the Boy Scouts of America’s largest national High Adventure Base. It covers approximately 140,000 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.

Born in 1938 as Philturn Rockymountain Scoutcamp, today’s Philmont Scout Ranch is a bustling center for high adventure and training. Youth and adults take advantage of the Ranch’s camping, training and work programs.

More than 1 million Scouts, Venturers and leaders have experienced the adventure of Philmont since the first camping season in 1939. Throughout its existence, conscientious attention to low-impact camping techniques has helped maintain the Ranch’s wilderness.

The area surrounding the Ranch is rich with history, from the Native Americans who made this arid land their home to the land barons of the 19th century. The town of Cimarron boasts a number of historical buildings, including the St. James Hotel, the site of at least 26 killings during Cimarron’s wilder days.

Depending on the itinerary chosen, our crew will be able to participate in a wide assortment of activities such as rock climbing, panning for gold, fly tying, burro packing, chuck wagon dinner, horseback ride, geocaching, mountain biking, hiking to the top of the Tooth of Time or Mount Baldy and shooting/reloading 30.06 rifles, to name just a few.  The activities are different on each trek, and not all activities are available on every trek.

Have you checked out Philmont Family Adventures? Click here.

WHO CAN ATTEND?

A youth must be 14 years of age or 13 years of age and have completed the 8th grade by date of participation to register for a Philmont trek.

RISKS

Philmont Scout Ranch strives to minimize risks to participants and advisers by emphasizing proper safety precautions. Most Philmont program participants do not experience injuries because they are prepared.

HEIGHT/WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS

Each participant (male and female) in a backcountry Philmont trek must not exceed the maximum acceptable limit in the weight-for-height chart below. The right column shows the maximum acceptable weight for a person’s height in order to participate in a Philmont trek. Those who fall within the limits are more likely to have an enjoyable trek and avoid incurring health risks. Every Philmont trek involves hiking with a 35 to 50-pound backpack at elevations of 6,500 to 12,500 feet. Philmont recommends participants carry a pack weighing no more than 25% to 30% of their body weight.

This table is based on the revised Dietary Guidelines for Americans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services.