Philmont 2020

[Bruce Kolkebeck]

As I have for the past 20 years I am presently working on the Calendar for the scout year 2018-19. One of the things our troop has been lucky at is attending Philmont every 3-4 years. This gives each of our kids who so desire at least one trek to Philmont in their scouting career. Our Troop’s last contingent was 2017 so our real hope was to return in 2020. We try to build our schedule with backpacking in the two years leading up to each trek so the kids are prepared to go or can decide that they don’t want to go.

So I have to ask, ….what kind of shot will we have for 2020? With Philmont putting off canceled crews from this year till 2020 does anybody know how many will want to go back? I know how difficult it is to put a crew together. Many will pass it off. 2019 Treks are not filled yet. A few went on to Boundary Waters or other high adventure camps. Any insights are helpful. The clock is ticking for some of our kids. Should I start planning for 2020?

 

[Bob Shuff]

Hi Bruce,

We were scheduled to arrive 7/15 this year, and were part of the second cancellation.  As you say most of the 2019 slots are taken, by the groups that were part of the earlier cancellation.

Not sure what flexibility you have, but we really only have an 8 week period where are scouts are on summer break, so the early June and late August dates don’t work for us.  The dates I first had starting 7/30 were revised to 7/15 when I checked before sending in a deposit.  My recommendation is grab a 2019 slot (Aug 13 or 14 for 7 days) if that is something you would be willing to do, and you may find you can improve the date between now and next spring due to cancellations.

We’re not exactly clear what the 2020 process will be, other than they said 2018 crews would get priority.  For 2020, I was first told we would get the same dates we had in 2018.  A few days later I received this:  “You will have the opportunity to enter your preferred arrival dates when the <span class=”il”>2020</span> window opens to enter your information.  It is tentatively the last of October and please know that those that are being offered priority will receive a reservation before the big lottery is run in Dec. 2018.  We will notify you about the process by early October.  ”

They also said they may be lenient on the age limit for scouts that turn 18 before their 2020 trek.  Most of our crew that was scheduled to go this year will be 18 or older come the 2020 season, including my son.  Our troop did not send a crew for 6 (now 7 and soon to be 8) years because they kept trying to get a 7-day itinerary and failed in the lotteries.  I jumped on a 12-day 2018 slot about this time last year, and quickly found I could fill 2 crews.  Long story short of the 23 that were scheduled to go, only one adult advisor had been there previously.  They all want to go in 2020, but I’m sure some will make other plans in the next year or so.

Good luck,

Bob

 

 

[Bruce Tolley]

@Bruce.  My troop’s Philmont  crew just completed a 60+ mile section hike on the JMT. These Scouts are older and 2020 would be too late for them to return.

Just guessing, but I would think it will be harder to get a place since some crews this year will take Philmont up on the offer to return on 2020 plus all new crews will be entering the lottery that in theory has fewer “winners” since there would be fewer slots.

[Jeffrey Peters]

Philmont has become a rite of passage for a scout. When I was a scout I always looked  up to the scout who was wearing a Philmont belt buckle and an OA patch. It’s sad that some scouts will not get a chance to earn the right to wear the belt.  But let me offer up an altenative to Philmont. Our troop this summer went to the Montana High Adventure Base for a week of backpacking and packrafting in the Bob Marshall Wilderness.  My son who has also been to Philmont said he thought MOHAB was a better program.  TO all you troops looking for a high adventure trip i would suggest MOHAB.

 

[Bruce Kolkebeck]

Thanks for the responses. All are welcome and will be forwarded on to my fellow leaders.

Thanks again

 

[Brad P]

My son who has also been to Philmont said he thought MOHAB was a better program. TO all you troops looking for a high adventure trip I would suggest MOHAB.

I’m so glad to hear about this one. We’re going to Philmont next year. We did Sea Base this year. I want to present options to the troop for 2020 and while the Triple Crown achievement of doing Northern Tier would be great, the scouts might like MOHAB better.

[Bob Shuff]

Our troop (777 in Encinitas, CA) got 2 crew slots for a 12-day adventure starting 6/28/18.  I got this strange and alarming email about 2 weeks ago saying they had made a mistake and we weren’t on the priority list, but that was quickly resolved by email (Thanks Fran).

I know 2020 is a ways off, but the sting of being cancelled last summer has worn off and the lottery announcement was quite exciting to see.

[Kevin Sweere]

Should you start planning?  Yes.

The decision deadline, i.e. when you have to commit $$, is still aways away.

[Bob Shuff]

First deposit of $100 per participant is in Jan’19.  For 2 crews that’s a minimum of $1.4K in less than two months.

[Author]

Posts