[Philmont] Looking at a Philmont Trek

Greetings Alan,
 
I would add a couple of things to the comments already made:
 
When you enter the lottery be realistic about the number of crews you
try to get. Crews have a minimum of 7 persons including two adults up
to 12 persons with a maximum of 4 adults (always at least 50% youth).
 
If you are unsuccessful in the lottery, check with your local Council as
to what Philmont expeditions might be available. (This varies greatly
from Council to Council).
 
If your Troop is successful in the lottery, you will have to make a
financial commitment of around $50.00 per person early in the process -
around March of 2007. Our crew paid for the minimum crew size
initially, even though we were fairly certain that we would fill the
crew. Prior to this, I would get a financial commitment from everyone
that plans to go. The term "ante" comes to mind. That way, they have a
"skin in the game" and the Troop isn't out any money, if they drop out.
 
If you reserve more slots than you fill, you will be out the money paid
- payments can't be applied to unpaid balances, but can be "shuffled"
internally to the crew in case someone drops and someone else joins -
Philmont doesn't know "who" is attending until you check in with your
crew roster, only how many. And you can always add members later up to
the limits set out above. Our Troop was going to send two crews, and
had commitments from the total number of participants (24) from the
get-go. In fact we were oversubscribed. But we only paid for 14 the
first several payments we made (two crews of seven and over the maximum
per crew of twelve), because we have a large number of active duty
military, and didn't know for sure how many might still be in the Troop
eighteen months out. Took progress payments and made other arrangements
for the full number because those were more flexible than Philmont.
 
If this is your Troop's first major backpacking experience, be sure to
warn the potential participants that the cost of the trip may only be
part of the total cost once the cost of necessary equipment purchases
are factored in. The earlier that a commitment to go can be made, the
more chances of including necessary equipment as birthday and Christmas
gifts.
 
I would strongly encourage you to purchase the Philmont Advisor's Guide
that Cooper Wright advertised, as soon as you know if you got a slot.
 
I have attached a Power Point presentation that I made to our Troop in
2005 (we went this year). Feel free to modify as needed. If you want
more information, please contact me.
 
Happy Trails,
 
Roy Fisher
Received on Fri Oct 20 19:26:09 2006