Philmont Treks Frequently Asked Questions

Q:	My Troop is part of the GLC contingent, but we have too many candidates?
A:	When you have more candidates than crew slots you need to establish some method of prioritization. The choice is yours but keep it simple. Here’s one approach that works. Scouts who sign up by a well-communicated date are assigned to the crew starting with those who've attained the rank of Eagle, then Life, etc. until all slots are filled. This has the dual benefit of a) rewarding advancement and b) those lowest in rank almost always have the most time left in Scouts to get on another Philmont trek. Those who don't make it go on a Troop waiting list.
Q:	We still have too many candidates, does GLC have a waiting list?
A:	Our goal at Council is to send as many Scouts to Philmont as possible. Each crew advisor has the privilege and responsibility to lead a 12-person crew on a Philmont trek. Most crews crews are completely filled from within their Troop. Alternately, the crew can be a provisional mix (Scouts from other Troops). The crew advisor has great latitude to select their own crew. If they haven't filled their crew after canvassing their Troop the lead advisor is free to recruit from other units as they see fit, consistent with Scouting goals. These activities typically sort themselves out by January of the year of your trek. If crew openings exist in February of the year of your trek the GLC contingent leader will start broadcasting to progressively wider audiences until all slots are filled. If many Scouts respond we’ll prioritize based on rank (Eagle = highest, 1st class = lowest). FYI, 1st class is the minimum skill level. This approach a) gives crew advisors time to recruit, b) provides the crew advisor with top-notch provisional Scouts to fill out their crew and c) allows provisional Scouts time to bond and train with their crew. Any candidates should expect to be interviewed by the prospective crew advisor (adult) and perhaps the crew leader (youth). Bottom line, any crew advisor will find it hard to turn down a candidate who adds value to their crew, i.e. has the right mix of skills, experience and enthusiasm.
Q:	My crew has made payment(s), but they're not showing up--what's wrong?
A:	Each payment must have a Troop number to identify it as belonging to your crew. If not, payments get posted to a catchall category.
Q:	What are camperships?
A:	Camperships are given to make up the difference that a Scout, his family, and the unit can't cover towards Philmont fees. Great Lakes Council believes that it is important for a Scout to contribute some portion of his fees through personal resources or unit fund-raising projects, thus meeting the spirit of the 9th Scout Law: A Scout is Thrifty: a Scout pays his own way.
Q:	What camperships are available?
A:	There are two funds, Waite Phillips and Scoutreach. Each fund has independent of the other. Each requires a separate application. Youth crewmembers (adults are not eligible) can apply for either or both funds.
Q:	How does the Crew Advisor know if a Scout should submit a Waite Phillips and.or Scoutreach campership application?
A:	When you feel the Scout’s need is genuine it’s the right time. Consider these items: 1) Has the Scout contributed his Scout fund monies? 2) Has the Scout saved for and/or earned a portion of the monies? 3) Has the Troop exhausted it’s campership funds? 4) Has the Troop run any fund-raisers for the crew?
Q:	Does the GLC contingent travel together, or is it possible for a crew to depart earlier or return later to accommodate sightseeing or other activities before or after the trek?
A:	All contingent crews travel as a group -- one major advantage of being part of the contingent is that GLC handles the transportation logistics.
Q:	How do we travel?
A:	Plane to Denver, Colorado Springs or Albuquerque (tbd each year), bus to Philmont.
Q:	Does the GLC contingent remain together at Philmont, or can each crew follow its own individual itinerary?
A:	Each crew chooses their own itinerary in March of the year of your trek.
Q:	Are the crew itineraries already established?
A:	Philmont has about 35 Treks to choose from marked as Typical, Rugged, and Strenuous and Super Strenuous. Here's the top 4 trek selection hints that have proven most helpful for other crews: March - Philmont sends new "Trek Itinerary" books for the current year to the GLC contingent leader. Crew advisors pick them up, reads thoroughly, fills out a card with top 5 choices and sends to Philmont. The faster you execute this the better your chances of getting your first choice --- that's why you pick the book up from the contingent leader instead of waiting for it to be mailed. Warning: Philmont's trails are constantly evolving. Each year a few itineraries change routes, camps and/or activities. If you peruse other resources like the ones below be aware that changes creep in through the years. Said another away, Trek number xx in 2005 may be different from the same trek number in 2004, 1994, 1984 etc. Cross reference your information by trail or camp names in addition to trek number. For instance, there's two ascents to Mt. Phillips. Over the years the trek numbers using those ascents have changed but the trails have not.
Q:	What can my troop do now?
A:	1. Surf the unofficial Danyoder website. Overview level of detail. Mimics the Ranger CD (see below), free, has been accurate in the past but no guarantees. http://www.danyoder.com/philmont/ 2. Surf Seldon's unofficial website. Detailed itineraries posted by other crews. http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/~seb/philmont.html#3 3. Order the official Philmont Interactive Ranger CD. Overview level of detail. Changes yearly. Last year's avail now for $50. New version usually issued around April.
NOTE:	In view of the great demand for high adventuring at Philmont Ranch in the recent years the following guidelines have been adopted by the Great Lakes Council High Adventure Committee and are endorsed by the Camping Committee. We will continue to take reservations on a first come, first serve basis. A unit will be restricted to 1 crew of 12 Scouts (youth) and Advisors (adults). Each crew must have a minimum of 3 adult advisors. This allows for backup in case an advisor unexpectedly drops out, doesn't make the medical re-check or gets hurt. No unit will be given crews in two (2) consecutive years. The High Adventure Committee will notify the lead advisor in July before the year of the trip of the required payment. A $100 deposit per crewmember must be made by September 1st of the year prior to the trip. If a crew fails to meet the deadline the crew slot can be given to the next unit on the waiting list. The deposit is refundable provided the crew slot is accepted by another unit on the waiting list. Units will be required to pay the Philmont fee for 12 crewmembers even if they are not filled. The High Adventure Committee has flexibility to place Scouts and Scouters wanting to go to Philmont into crews that are not filled to capacity.