Re: [Philmont]: Picking up programs

Whether you can pick up a program depends on the program and its popularity.
 I think there may be extra costs for some programs -- check the advisor's
book. Some programs are offered only at certain times of the day, e.g., the
Stomp at Cyphers. Some have a fixed schedule and fixed capacity.
 
If you're in a camp with a program, generally they will schedule you for it
when you check in... first come/first served. Some programs are by
reservation due to limited capacity (horses, spar poles, instructors, location, etc)
-- the earlier you get on the list at a camp the sooner you get to participate
(e.g., rock climbing, horseback riding, spar pole climbing). If you're
passing through and unscheduled, there's a short list and you have time to wait,
you can probably do a program. It's your schedule. Staff will advise you.
Your ranger will be able to advise you. If there's a long waiting list,you're
pressed for time or the group does not want to stop, you will forgo the
program.
 
We camped at Bear Caves, an unstaffed camp. After lunch, we hiked over to
Crater Lake for the program there. We just showed up. The staff fit us in.
Did a bunch of axe and 2-man saw stuff right away and had a wait of an hour or
so before we could do spar pole climbing since there are only so many poles
and harnesses to go around. Be prepared: spar pole climbing requires long
sleeved shirts and long pants. If you don't have 'em or can't borrow them, you
can't climb.
 
Later in the trek, at Cito, we arrived early enough on our hike from Cyphers
Mine to Webster Park that we were able to catch up with the late morning
climbing group and do rock climbing before hiking over to Ute Gulch for our food
pickup and a late lunch. The climbing area at Cito is a good 1/2 - 3/4 mile
uphill hike off the main trail from the check-in. Had we been a bit later,
we could not have climbed until the afternoon -- maybe a 2 or 3--hour wait,
and we would not have waited that long.
 
Plan ahead. Read the book. Be aware of the programs at camps you are
passing through or near. There will be trade offs on time, weather, group
desires, etc. Most programs begin at a certain time each day; some you can do any
time. The programs are fun and many are very memorable. You'll be surprised
what excites (or not) your crew members. Our crew picked our trek (#4) based
primarily on programs and secondarily on the peaks (Mt Phillips, Tooth
Ridge). We were not disappointed.
 
Charlie Pineo
Assoc. Crew Advisor
Troop 994 Crew 721-B2, 2003
Woodstock, GA

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Received on Wed Mar 23 18:44:58 2005