Join the ultimate Scouting adventure of exploring the beautiful back country of the Boy Scouts of America’s High Adventures base, Philmont Scout Ranch. This premier adventure will have scouts and adults backpacking on trek #13. Trek #13 is one of the 12-day treks offered on the 214 square miles of New Mexico’s Sangre de Cristo mountain wilderness. Scouts will have the opportunity to take part in numerous program activities at the daily campsites (gold panning, pole climbing, branding, rock climbing, shotgun shooting, baldy mountain, ...). There are 7 slots available (mixture of scouts and adults).

Scouts will leave Grand Rapids on June 12 taking the Amtrak to Chicago where they will explore downtown Chicago and the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower). They will then depart later that afternoon on the Southwest Chief bound for Raton, NM where they will arrive on June 13 and check in at Philmont (Philmont day 1). Scouts will then embark on their back country experience on June 14 (Philmont day 2). Scouts will get off trail on June 24 and enjoy an evening campfire (Philmont day 12). On June 25, scouts will checkout and take the Amtrak back to Chicago/Grand Rapids. Arrival back in Grand Rapids is on June 26. The price includes a shirt, access to Willis Tower, train tickets, bussing to/from Philmont, and all trail food. Food while traveling to and from Philmont will be taken care of by each participant on their own.

This contingent is hosted by Troop 290. Please contact Randy Burrows (randy@rburrows.net, 630-258-5518) for more information.