Philmont Scout Ranch
To all Scouts who will be 14 years old (or 13 years old and completed 8th grade) by June 16, 2027:
The Greenbar and Scoutmaster have put Philmont on our June 2027 agenda. Your leaders entered the 2027 Philmont lottery last month and won our first choice: A 12-day expedition starting June 16 and ending June 28!
Philmont is the most popular high adventure trip in Scouting. Philmont Ranch is 220 square miles of wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico, with elevation range from 6,500 to 12,441 feet, 315 miles of trails, and options for almost every outdoor activity you can imagine. Philmont is all about backpacking, but the difference from Sierra Trek is that you can pick destination camps where there are guided activities in the afternoon after your arrival. You can learn to climb a spar pole, or go for a horseback ride, or climb a ropes course, or go fishing, and these are just a few examples. For more info, photos and videos about the Philmont experience: . Every Scout who goes to Philmont says it is one of the highlights of their Scouting experience!
* In December 2025: Sign up in the Scoutbook Calendar, and pay your $200 deposit to Treasurer Nikki Bowen. This will help the Troop cover initial reservation payments to Philmont.
* Quarterly payments: Based on the registration response, your leaders will prepare a budget for the trip. (At this moment, the expected budget is under $3,000 per person.) Your leaders will announce a quarterly payments plan, 5 payments from February 2026 thru February 2027, that are calculated to cover the installment payments due to Philmont plus travel reservations.
* Preparations: In 2026 and 2027, the participants will:
— Form two crews and choose Scout crew leaders
— Engage in a training program.
— Plan for gear.
— Each crew’s Philmont itinerary choices will be submitted by January 2027.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
We have a reservation for two crews. A crew is a minimum size of 8 and maximum 12, including 3 adults per crew. The crews will choose different itineraries at Philmont.
Philmont strictly enforces the height/weight requirements for youth and adults to benefit the health and safety of participants. Click to view the Philmont Risk Advisory/Height & Weight Requirements.
Philmont has the Waite Phillips Scholarship fund to assist one youth participant per crew who would not otherwise be able to experience a Philmont trek. Friends of Troop 26 might also be able to help, based on financial need. See us for more information about either option.
Yours in Scouting,
Nancy Schley ASM
Mike Schley ASM