High Adventure - Philmont

Each year the High Adventure Committee of the Council sponsors a Philmont Contingent made up of one to three crews. Crew size ranges from eight to twelve Scouts and Adult Advisors. They usually consist of members from various council units and crews are typically organized a year and a half prior to attending. Philmont promotion meetings are conducted throughout the council in April of each year. The total time for the trip to Philmont is 14 days.

Philmont Crews train well in advance for the challenges they will face at Scouting's premier High Adventure Base located in the rugged New Mexico Sangre De Christo Mountains. There are required training hikes Scouts and Advisors must be able to complete prior to the trip to prove they have the necessary backpacking skills and are in good physical condition to attend Philmont.

Crews spend 10 days in the beautiful Philmont back country. Philmont crews submit choices for their crews activities on the trail. Activities on the trail may include: blacksmithing, fly tying and fly fishing, rock climbing and rappelling, horseback riding, 3D archery, black powder rifle shooting, western lore, lumberjacking and spar pole climbing, homesteading, Indian lore, conservation,30-06 rifle shooting, search and rescue, panning for gold and many more. The best of all is hiking to the summit of, Big Red, Trail Peak, Mount Phillips or Mount Baldy. Crews usually chose to hike back into Philmont Camping Headquarters using their own strength after a trip to the top of The Tooth of Time and pose for a picture under the Welcome Back - You Made It sign. Scouts and Advisors who complete their trek earn the Philmont Arrowhead Award and usually the BSA Fifty Miler Award.

Philmont is a trip of a lifetime

Currently there are two full Chattahoochee Council sponsored Philmont Crews going to Philmont June 13-27, 2009. One led by John Illges from Columbus and one led by Stan Harris of Auburn. For more information about future Philmont High Adventures, email Todd Sandt, sandtt@omegatraining.com or call (334) 319-0999