From: Troop 764 (troop764@hotmail.com)
Date: Fri Oct 25 2002 - 10:55:02 CDT
Here is some Philmont reservation advice I offered to someone recently.
Thought it might be helpful to others on this list.
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1) The Philmont call-in date for year 2004 is Saturday, November 9, 10:00am
- 1:00pm CST at (800) 962-4000
2) Get as many people calling as possible. Use speed dialing phones if
available. One year my wife was the only person to get through. She used a
regular touchtone phone with sticky keys. You never know. It's mostly luck.
3) Be sure every caller has the same trek date information (1st choice, 2nd
choice, 3rd choice, etc.). If you want to arrive on June 14, but it's taken,
I would then try June 15, 16, 17, etc., until you reach an unacceptable time
period. I think this works better than picking a date in June, one in July,
and another in August. Give your callers a complete list of all acceptable
trek start dates - be as flexible as possible.
4) Many schools do not let out until the middle of June (or even the 3rd
week) so try for a June date as early as possible. Also, many schools now
start as early as August 1st, so picking dates late in the season might be a
good strategy. The best weather at Philmont is usually in June.
5) Synchronize everyone's watches. Some people are off by 5 minutes or more.
Start calling about 2 minutes before the actual start time.
6) Keep calling and calling. It might take an hour or longer, but if any
slots are still available, it could be one you want. Don't give up until one
of your callers gets through and is told everything is booked. Even then be
sure to get on the waiting list.
7) In addition to the phones being used to call Philmont, be sure everyone
has a cell phone (and it's turned on) or a second line by their side. Give
everyone a list of these secondary phone numbers. Once a reservation has
been made, the person making it should start calling these other phones to
let everyone know they can stop calling (give each person a calling tree
list). Since folks regular phones will be busy dialing and dialing, there
may be no other way to reach them.
8) Check to see if your council has slots reserved for Philmont. If the
dates work for you and they have openings, this is the easiest way to get
in. Councils with 2004 reservations already have assigned dates and crew
slots.
Hope this helps and good luck with your reservation.
YiS,
Earl Owens
Troop 764 Webmaster and High Adventure Advisor
The Complete Guide to Philmont
http://www.geocities.com/troop764x/
Information from my Philmont web site "The Complete Guide to Philmont" at
http://www.geocities.com/troop764x/ :
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MAKING A PHILMONT RESERVATION
All 2003 treks are full (with a long waiting list)! The call-in date for
year 2004 is Saturday, November 9, 10:00am - 1:00pm CST at (800) 962-4000.
Be sure to get on the Philmont mailing list for information about this next
reservation opportunity.
To get on the list and receive call-in information, write to:
Philmont Scout Ranch
Route 1, Box 35
Cimarron NM 87714
Or call Philmont at (505) 376-2281 ext. 225.
Philmont information packets are typically mailed 4-6 weeks before the
call-in date.
Council invitations for 2004 went out in the summer of 2002.
Call-in times are 10am-1pm, Central Standard Time.
The call in phone number is (800) 962-4000 (you are not calling Philmont).
You can have 12 to a crew with a minimum of two adults, but your crew must
be majority boys. You may also have more than one crew, but be realistic.
Have several dates, as your first choice may not be available. You may make
reservations for your unit only!
2003 "Short Trek" reservations can be made by calling the Philmont Camping
Registrar at (505) 376-2281 beginning Tuesday, November 26, 2002, 8:00am
MST. Short treks start around the middle of August. If you are interested in
a Short Trek for 2002, there may be openings, so call now!
For all treks be ready with the following information: Unit Type (troop,
varsity team, venturing crew, or coed venturing crew), Unit Number, Contact
Name, Caller's Name (if different), Address, Council Name, Home & Work
Telephone Numbers, Number of Youth & Adults, Number of Crews (e.g., 16 youth
+ 4 adults = 20/12 = 1.66 = 2 crews).
The treks are called 12 day expeditions, but when you include your departure
date, the time at Philmont is typically 13 calendar days -- arrival day + 11
trail days (10 nights) + your departure day.
Maximum crew size is 12. Minimum size is 7. All Scouts must be age 14 by
January 1 of the year of attendance or have completed the 8th grade and be
at least 13 years of age by time of participation. You may place a
reservation for more than one crew, but all reservations must be FOR YOUR
REGISTERED UNIT ONLY!
Participants between the ages of 18-20 may count as a youth or an adult, but
there must be at least one advisor per crew who is 21 years of age or older.
There can be no more than 4 adults per crew!
UNITS MAY NOT ATTEND PHILMONT 2 YEARS IN A ROW!
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