Mini Xpedition – Learn, Practice, Review Backpacking Weekend

This event is a high-fidelity, low-stakes training environment at Latimer Reservation to prepare troops, crews, ships, and individual scouts for high-adventure trips, particularly Philmont Scout Ranch.

Key Details:

• Focus: Skill Review, Physical Endurance Check, Gear Shakedown, and Team Building.
• Location: Latimer Reservation, 334 Plantation Road, Spencer, TN 37138.
• Duration: 2 Days, 2 Nights (Friday Evening to Sunday Afternoon).
• Age Requirement: Scouts must be 13 by April 10 for weekend 1 or April 17 for weekend 2.
• Registration is limited to the first 30 participants

Available Dates (Choose One Trek):

• Weekend 1: April 10 – April 12, 2026
• Weekend 2: April 17 – April 19, 2026

Cost and Deadlines:

• Early Bird Fee: $80 (on or before March 1, 2026)
• Regular Fee: $90 (after March 1, 2026)
• Registration Closes: March 15, 2026
• Registration Method: Visit mtcscouting.org

Inclusions (All-Inclusive Cost): Trail meals will be Philmont style

• Meals: Light Snack & Cracker Barrel (Friday); Breakfast in Dining Hall, Trail Lunch, Trail Dinner (Saturday); Trail Breakfast, Lunch To Go (Sunday). Trail meals are Philmont style where noted, with Base Camp breakfast in the Dining Hall on Saturday.
  • Philmont Style Meal Menu info can be found here: https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/resources/food-and-cooking
• Lodging:
  • Friday night: Base Camp "Tent City" (Tents provided).
  • Saturday night: On the trail in personal backpacking tents (not provided).
• Skill Instruction: Access to all Beginner (Backpack Blitz), Intermediate (Trail Cooking Philmont Style), and Advanced (Land Nav) skill tracks.
• Personal Equipment: Packing list is in the Leader’s Guide
• Adventure Activities:
  • Weekend 1: Natural Rock Rappelling & Tomahawk Throwing sessions.
  • Weekend 2: Chalk Ball or Natural Rock Rappelling & Tomahawk Throwing sessions.
• Evening Program: Campfire Program and Cracker Barrel.

Contact Information:

Kevin Phillips (Latimer Reservation Director)
Email: kphilipsbsa@gmail.com
Phone: 615.478.3489