[philmont] Food Allergies and Special Diet Requirements

DO YOU OR SOMEONE IN YOUR CREW HAVE FOOD ALLERGIES OR REQUIRE A SPECIAL DIET?
 
>From the Philmont Guidebook to Adventure:
 
“Philmont trail food is by necessity a high-carbohydrate, high-caloric diet. It is high in wheat, milk products, sugar and corn syrup, and artificial coloring/flavoring. If an individual is allergic to some food products or requires a special diet, suitable trail food must be purchased at home and brought to Philmont. Light weight, non-perishable, low bulk foods are recommended for backpacking. Package each day’s meals separately and write the person’s name and Expedition Number on each package. Upon arrival at the ranch, give the food to your Ranger who will take it to Logistics. Arrangements will be made to transport it to the appropriate backcountry commissaries for your crew. There is no fee reduction for individuals who bring their own food.”
 
Each summer, “many” campers come up to the CHQ Services counter, after we have issued their trail food, and tell us that they have such and such allergy or that they are vegetarian. Guess what – we do not have a stash of special food to accommodate all the allergies we encounter in 22,000 campers. We do not stock gluten-free trail food, or peanut-free trail food, or any other “–free” trail food.
 
Do yourselves a favor, and go to Philmont prepared for allergies and special food needs. If you need to see a copy of the menu or ingredients list, contact padams@netbsa.org. He will probably be putting this information online soon, but until then you can get a good idea of what the menu will contain by looking at last year’s menu at http://www.scouting.org/highadventure/philmont/camping/menus.aspx.
 
If you are a crew or contingent advisor, I do not think you are doing your job if you do not address this issue with your campers. It is amazing to me how many campers go to Philmont who haven't read the Guidebook to Adventure, or who think it doesn't mean what it says.
 
Kosher? Philmont does have a small amount of Kosher trail meals for those who require them for religious purposes. They are not available to those who think they might be better food, or make for easier cleanup. This Kosher food is ONLY available to those who have made arrangements, in advance, through the Jewish Chaplain. Kosher food is not issued without the Jewish Chaplain’s authorization.

Jim

Jim Van Hecke
Asst. Manager Camping Services
Philmont Scout Ranch
'04 '05 '06 '07 '08
I am a seasonal employee at Philmont Scout Ranch, and I know what I am talking about, but I DO NOT SPEAK FOR PHILMONT. Opinions expressed here are those of the writer, and not the permanent staff of Philmont Scout Ranch or the Boy Scouts of America.

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Received on Mon Apr 21 12:58:46 2008