Seneca Waterways Philmont Contingent Expediation:        July 11-25, 2011

"MANDATORY" Contingent Meeeting: January 16 2-4pm  Location: Seton Catholic School

Prep Hike April 22nd Cutler to Ontario State Park "COMPLETED" 10.2 Miles with Packs

"MANDATORY" Crew Hike after Parent/Son Campout
May 22nd 11:00 to 5:00 (times may vary) Mendon Park  

"MANDATORY" Crew Conservation Project and Pack Hike Outing: June 4th at Camp Cutler.  Dinner may be provided By CS Pack 65

ALL PHILMONT SCOUTS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND ALL TROOP 31 CAMPOUTS.  Special backpacking or hikes will be organized to condition the Crew for the trip.  If you cannot attend please see one of the three Philmont ASMs to explain.  School, Sporting Event or Medical are valid excuses.

Please Read and Understand: 

Click the Image for the Full PDF Document

Every camper and advisor is required to have a medical evaluation within twelve (12) months of their participation date by a physician licensed to practice medicine. An examination conducted by a physician’s assistant or a nurse practitioner will be recognized for states where they may perform physical examinations to students enrolled in public school systems. The 2011 Philmont Health and Medical Record must be used. These forms will be available in the fall of 2010 and will be mailed to the contact person for your reservation at that time.

Advisors are to collect the forms before leaving for Philmont and hold the forms to be turned in at the Health Lodge upon arrival at Philmont. Advisors should review each participant’s medical form to be familiar with any health restrictions; make sure each individual – youth and adult – meets the height and weight participation requirements; check for participant, parental and physician’s signatures; and that a copy of participant’s health insurance card is attached.

An individual should always contact the family physician first and call Philmont at 575.376.2281 if there is a question about the advisability of participation. Philmont’s chief medical officer and other medical staff of the Health Lodge reserve the right to make medical decisions regarding the participation of individuals at Philmont.

IMMUNIZATIONS

Verification is required that adequate Tetanus Immunization has been given within the last 10 years prior to arrival at Philmont. If this service must be performed at Philmont, you will be charged accordingly.

MEDICATIONS

Each participant at Philmont who has a condition requiring medication must bring an appropriate supply. The pharmacy at the Health Lodge is limited and the identical medications may not be available. In certain circumstances duplicate or even triplicate supplies of vital medications are appropriate. People with an allergy to bee, wasp or hornet sting must bring an EpiPen or equivalent with them to Philmont.

Participants will be charged for maintenance medications or medications that should have been brought to Philmont and dispensed by the Health Lodge.

Philmont strongly recommends tobacco products not be used. Smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco is prohibited in all Philmont buildings, tents, vehicles and on Philmont trails. If tobacco is used it must be in designated areas.

Possession or use of alcoholic beverages or non-prescribed drugs (including marijuana) or abuse of prescribed drugs are expressly prohibited in the Philmont program. Groups or individuals found in violation of this policy will be sent home immediately as arranged with the responsible council or parent/guardian.

CREW LEADER

A well qualified Scout or Venturer should be selected as crew leader before training begins. The crew leader is a key person for a successful Philmont expedition and the advisor must work closely with this person. The crew leader should:

•  be elected by the crew.
• lead by example.
• be respected by the crew.

The crew leader responsibilities include:

• Discussing ideas with the entire crew to arrive at a consensus before taking action.
• Organizing the crew, assigning duties and making decisions.
• Choosing routes during the trek based upon the capability of the crew
• Setting up and breaking camp
• Checking that all "smellables" are properly stored
• Making sure the Philmont Wilderness Pledge is being upheld and that every campsite, fire pit and dish water sump is left clean.
• Guiding crew in conservation project.

CHAPLAIN AIDE

Philmont strongly recommends one crew member be asked to serve as a Chaplain Aide. Someone who has earned or is working on their religious award should be considered. The Chaplain Aide will be asked to lead daily devotionals and other appropriate religious services. A kit of worship resources including the booklet Eagles Soaring High will be provided for use along the trail during a training session provided upon arrival at Philmont. The Chaplain Aide will certify completion of requirements of the Duty To God award for each crew member. (Awards may be purchased at the Tooth of Time Traders at the conclusion of the trek.)

Philmont trail food is, by necessity, a high-carbohydrate, high-caloric diet. The menu provides between 2,700 and 3,100 calories per person per day. It is high in wheat, milk products, sugar and corn syrup, and artificial coloring/flavoring. If an individual is allergic to some food products or requires a special diet, suitable trail food must be purchased at home and brought by that individual to Philmont.

Package each day's meals separately and write the person's name and expedition number on each package. Upon arrival at the ranch, give the food to your Ranger who will take it to Logistics.

Arrangements will be made to transport it to the appropriate backcountry commissaries for your crew.

There is no fee reduction for individuals who bring their own food.

Appropriate substitutions can be arranged for food served in the dining hall by speaking with the dining hall manager upon arrival at Philmont.

Philmont asks that food substitutions be only for medical (including allergies) or religious reasons. Your cooperation is appreciated. If there is any question about food substitutions or to obtain a copy of the Philmont menu and ingredients list, please contact Philmont by phone at 575-376-2281 or email: Camping@philmontscoutranch.org. The menu and ingredient list for 2011 will be available in April of 2011.

ARRIVAL DATE - reservations made with Philmont designate the arrival date at Philmont. Each expedition hits the trail the day after its arrival and returns on its twelfth day.

DEPARTURE DATE - operating daily with a 12-day cycle, departure from Philmont is on the morning of the thirteenth day. Arrival day is day one.

COUNCIL CONTINGENT - a provisional expedition composed of Scouts, Varsity Scouts and/or Venturers and leaders from a district or council. Contingents with multiple crews should designate a contingent advisor, responsible for transportation (lodging, meals, tours, etc.) and serves as the liaison for the group.

CHAPLAIN AIDE - a youth member who accepts responsibility to conduct appropriate religious activities during the trek

CHARTERED UNIT - an expedition composed of members from a chartered Boy Scout Troop, Varsity Team or Venturing Crew with its own registered leadership.

CREW - a group varying in size from 7 to 12 people. Youth must be in the majority and no more than 4 adults.

COED CREW - a Venturing Crew with male and female participants. Must have adult male and female Advisors at least 21 years of age.

CREW LEADER - a member of a crew and elected by the crew to be its leader. This is the same relationship a patrol leader has to a patrol. Ideally this young person will have attended council junior leader instructor training or a previous Philmont trek.

ADULT ADVISOR - each crew is required to have at least two adult leaders, one of whom must be at least 21 years of age. The second adult must be at least 18 years of age. There are no gender restrictions for adult leadership. The Advisors' role is primarily coaching, counseling and advising the crew leader. During emergencies the advisor may assume direct leadership of the crew.

RANGER - upon arrival at Philmont, each crew will be met by a Philmont Ranger. The Ranger stays with the crew for three days serving as guide and trainer in camping and teamwork skills.

The itinerary will be selected after receiving the March mailing of the 2011 Trek Itinerary Guide.

MOUNTAIN CAMPS - these may be camps with a staff (camp director and three or more program staff) or unstaffed trail camps. Dry camps are trail camps with no water.

SHORT TREKS – expeditions that arrive on August 10- 14 and are 7 days in length. Special procedures for selecting an itinerary for a short trek will be outlined in the Advisor’s Kit distributed March 15, 2011. Short trek crews will be able to use the online itinerary selection procedure for 2011.

WILDERNESS PLEDGE GUIA (Spanish for Guide) – A youth member who accepts the responsibility of guiding the crew in their camping ethics during the trek.

CLICK THE LIST FOR A PDF COPY

Philmont Check-In

Before your crew hits the trail, the following steps must be completed:

1. Tent assignment. You will receive tent assignments at the Welcome Center for your first night at Philmont. Your ranger will show your crew to their assigned tents.
2. Your adviser picks up the key to the crew locker. You will be taken promptly to the Security Office, where you may reserve a crew locker for safekeeping your belongings. Only your adviser will have the locker key. All unattended gear and clothing must be stowed in your crew locker (maximum two lockers per crew) or vehicle when you hit the trail. Nothing can be left in your tent.
3. Your adviser meets the registrar. Your contingent leader or adviser will meet the registrar in the Camping Headquarters office to finalize fee payments. A complete roster of participants must be turned in at this time and certificates shown for first aid and CPR. Philmont requires that at least one person (preferably two) in each crew be currently certified in American Red Cross First Aid and CPR or the equivalent. A large envelope for storing extra money and valuable papers will be issued here. When you have deposited these items, your adviser will return the envelope to the registrar to store in a safe while you are on the trail.
4. Your leaders visit Logistic Services. Your adult adviser and crew leader will meet one of the itinerary planners at Logistic Services to finalize arrangements for your program, food pickups, and bus transportation. Your crew leader should bring a Philmont map to mark your route and campsites. You will be given a copy of your selected itinerary as a souvenir of your Philmont adventure.
5. Your crew photograph. A Philmont photographer will take the picture, and color prints (8-by-10 inches) will be available when you return from the trail. Each person will receive one photo free. The photographer will record the crew order. The BSA uniform or crew uniform is appropriate dress.
6. Medical recheck. A medical recheck will be given to all crew members. Your ranger will give you the procedures for this required recheck. Participants who do not satisfactorily complete this recheck will be sent home at their expense. Participants must not exceed the maximum weight/height chart. You will need to bring any medication with you to the recheck.
7. Laundry, trail equipment, trail food issue, mail. Dirty clothing may be washed at Philmont's self-service laundry. One or more crew members should be assigned to bring all the crew's dirty clothes to the laundry. All clothing should be marked with your names in indelible ink, and any loose patches or insignia should be removed to save time and confusion for everyone. Laundry soap and supplies are available from the Tooth of Time Traders or the laundry. Just before leaving the Mabree Services Building, your adviser should pick up your mail. Your first trail food will be issued in this complex as well. The crew leader's copy of your itinerary must be presented to draw your trail food.
8. Shakedown. In a place designated by your ranger, you will unpack everything. Your ranger will review the necessary items and demonstrate the best methods of packing at Philmont. Store excess items in your crew locker. Please note: After leaving Camping Headquarters, there is NO opportunity to return excess baggage. If you have doubts about taking certain items, discuss them with your ranger.
9. Your crew reporter visits News and Photo Service. Before departing for Philmont, your crew should select one member to serve as its reporter. The reporter should contact local news media and arrange to have one or two articles about your Philmont expedition published. Philmont's News and Photo Service will furnish helpful hints and other information for news articles to your reporter.
10. Tour Camping Headquarters—Tooth of Time Traders. As time permits, your ranger can give you a tour of Camping Headquarters. Tours of the Villa Philmonte can be scheduled at the Philmont Museum. Your tour should include a visit to the Tooth of Time Traders, where a complete supply of Scout uniforms and equipment, Philmont items (patches, belts, buckles, wool jackets, maps, etc.), and other souvenirs is available. You will have another opportunity to visit the trading post when you return from the trail.
11. Headquarters dining hall. In Camping Headquarters, you will eat in the dining hall. The menus are well-balanced and nutritious.
12. Advisers meeting, crew leaders meeting, chaplain aides meeting. Separate meetings will take place for advisers, crew leaders, and chaplain aides. Topics will include current backcountry conditions as well as tips to improve your expedition.
13. Religious services. Chaplains of Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, and Latter-day Saints faiths conduct services at Camping Headquarters beginning at 7 p.m. Your crew is encouraged to attend. The Tooth of Time Traders and snack bar will be closed at this time.
14. Write home, call home. After supper is a good time to write home. Your parents will enjoy hearing from you. Philmont postcards are available at the Tooth of Time Traders. Phones are available in base camp.
15. Opening campfire. Your first evening campfire at Philmont is a pageant of the Philmont Story, a historic narrative of the Southwest. Your Philmont adventure begins here. Warm clothing is recommended for this and all campfires.
16. A good night's sleep. Following the campfire, quietly return to your tent for a good night's sleep. Tomorrow you hit the trail!