Our crew was from our troop: 2 advisors, 9 youth ages 14 - 19. We traveled
round trip from the Atlanta area.
We budgeted $950 for the trip plus whatever we chose to take for spending
money and whatever we spent on personal equipment. That budget covered all
travel, meals and lodging plus Philmont trek. 'We had a few donations of goods
(first aid & "beauty" supplies) and services (shipping gear & phone calls). Air
fares from Atlanta were cheapest to/from Denver. We spent 1 day sightseeing
in Colorado Springs (2 nights in a motel there), including drive up Pikes Peak,
tours of Garden of the Gods and the Air Force Academy, and chuckwagon dinner
at the Flying W Ranch. We used a school bus charter company out of Woodland
Park, Colorado, for round trip ground transportation from Denver to Philmont.
Rented vehicles for our 1-day of sightseeing in/around Colorado Springs. We
made our budget, and everyone got a small refund after expenses had been paid.
It took a lot of shopping around and was a real team effort involving
advisors, parents, and friends (and friends of friends) from Georgia to Colorado.
What you know in 2003-2004, may not help you by 2005. Conditions change.
Example, rules governing a visit to the Air Force Academy changed almost monthly
early this year. We got the last "update" 3 days before we got on the plane
to Denver. Fortunately for us, our Colorado military contacts were able to
meet the criteria, and we had a great tour.
You will find the numbers work better for larger, combined groups. Two crews
from a neighboring community made the trip with 22 people. They had more
flexibility with about the same budget per person. A smaller crew may be able to
fit into one rented van .. with or without equipment (remember, you can ship
equipment to/from Philmont).
Logistics can be fairly complicated. Start your planning early, and remember
to budget for taxes and other user fees when you shop for motels, rented
vans, etc. Inquire about group rates when planning your sightseeing. And, find
out who accepts credit cards vs. cash, and who will bill you afterwards
(really) for services.
Charlie Pineo
Crew Advisor, 721-B2, Philmont 2003
Woodstock, GA
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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
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Received on Sat Dec 20 09:31:32 2003
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