[Philmont] Philmont alternatives

Picking up on what John said about "the sky's the limit", you will find BSA's "Passport to High Adventure" an excellent guide for setting up your own trip, where you are "it". Current and prior editions of the BSA Fieldbook are also invaluable sources.

Three years ago, the troop signed up for Sabattis Adventure Camp in the Adirondacks and reserved a canoe trek. Then, we had 12 youth and 5 adults who wanted to go. Too bad the State of New York only allows 11 total (plus the guide from the camp).

So I set up my own trip, with two of the adults and the first 7 boys to sign up, contacted an outfitter to arrange Kevlar canoes, got the permits, the maps, purchased and packaged the food and hit the water with myself as guide. The rest of the guys went on the camp's scheduled trek, and our younger boys stayed in camp for the usual merit badge program. We swim tested the boys at home and got them oriented to the canoes, so we got on the water a day ahead of those who had to do that at camp.

It worked so well, we did it ourselves this year as well. We stayed in regular public campsites the day before we hit the water and the day we came off the water.

It takes some work, and some added responsibility, but it can be done. Anywhere. The younger ones will also get to see something they may want to look forward to.

Bill Sheehan

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Received on Tue Aug 21 15:04:04 2007