In this episode, we interviewed a lead advisor who had just gotten off the trail at Philmont.  We are calling this a Philmont Hot-wash to get the immediate impressions of a trek just off the trail.    We explore what worked, what didn't, and what he would change for another trip.  The lead advisor, Bryan King, organized a crew of 11 for a 12-day trek at Philmont Scout Ranch.  Mr. King is the immediate past Scoutmaster for Troop 85 in O'Fallon, IL ..read more

A great video from Dan Becker on sleep system mistakes.   ..read more

Recently Northern Tier canoe base has announced that they will be offering an outfitting program.  There are some criteria that might disqualify some groups.  One in particular deals with when the unit last visited NT. "One adult must have previously participated in a traditional Northern Tier summer expedition. This expedition must have taken place within 3 years of the requested upcoming trip."  There are a lot of options in the boundary waters for either self outfitting or going through an independent outfitter.  This option would allow for another participant from the ..read more

This edition takes us back to the Philmont Trek Talk Group on Facebook.  The crew discusses Trek Selection for Philmont.  This will be split into two parts to make it easier to listen to in one session.   The panel: - Sal Porto is the Asst. scoutmaster with Troop 212 in Lutz Fl and has served in this role for the past 15 years. He is a Master Educator with LNT and teaches LNT for the Greater Tampa Bay Area council. He has been on 6 treks to Philmont since 2013, with trek 7 scheduled for 2022. Sal is a Philmont Ambassador and also the lead advisor on his council’s Philmont conti ..read more

For those of you going to Philmont, this will be a good episode to bookmark.  This episode features excerpts from the December 2021 Philmont Trek Talk Facebook Live event.  For this episode, we’ll talk about things to do in Cimarron, NM and on the way to the ranch.   There were six panelists for this discussion.  -       Sal Porto is with Troop 212 in Lutz, Florida and has been on 6 treks to Philmont and is planning the seventh for 2022.   -       Jeff Cress is with Troop 19 and Sea Ship 4019 in Burlington, NC.  He also is ..read more

For those of you going to Philmont, this will be a good episode to bookmark.  This episode features excerpts from the December 2021 Philmont Trek Talk Facebook Live event.  The event was specific to Getting to Philmont and things to do in Cimarron, NM and on the way to the ranch.   There were six panelists for this discussion.  -       Sal Porto is with Troop 212 in Lutz, Florida and has been on 6 treks to Philmont and is planning the seventh for 2022.   -       Jeff Cress is with Troop 19 and Sea Ship 4019 in Burlington, NC.&nb ..read more

Birchbark Expeditions interview with Alan Percy. Birchbark Expeditions is a Nationally Accredited week-long, fully guided high adventure canoe experience, steeped in the rich Age of Exploration history. Operated by volunteers from the Greater Niagara Frontier Council of the BSA, the program offers three different options: 1) WNY Waterways - A local one or two-day canoeing expedition on one of the many waterways in Western New York.   An ideal first opportunity to experience canoe tripping with an optional over-night stay. 2) Adirondack Adventure - a 7-day High ..read more

Birchbark Expeditions interview with Alan Percy. Birchbark Expeditions is a Nationally Accredited week-long, fully guided high adventure canoe experience, steeped in the rich Age of Exploration history. Operated by volunteers from the Greater Niagara Frontier Council of the BSA, the program offers three different options: 1) WNY Waterways - A local one or two-day canoeing expedition on one of the many waterways in Western New York.   An ideal first opportunity to experience canoe tripping with an optional over-night stay. 2) Adirondack Adventure - a 7-day High ..read more

This episode is an interview with Steve Nelson, Director of Camping at Philmont Scout Ranch.  The interview explores the individual programs at Philmont.   Rayado Trek Roving Outdoor Conservation School Trek (ROCS) Order of the Arrow Trail Crew Trek STEM Trek Order of the Arrow Trail Crew Trek Trail Crew Trek Ranch Hands Trek We also talked about the Cavalcade – Equestrian crew program.  A great discussion on the non-typical Philmont experience. www.philmontscoutranch.org  ..read more

Maine High Adventure 2022 Update with Keith Nelson, Program and Base Director Opportunities abound for exciting, unique and extended backcountry travel. Every day will involve challenges and rewards. Each bend in the river or change in horizon will bring new possibilities for excitement and relaxation. Take each day as it comes, make your own itinerary that fits EVERYONE'S desires and wishes. Canoeing is, by far, the most popular option for participants of Maine High Adventure. Paddling is available on waters ranging from some of the largest lakes in Maine to challenging whitewater s ..read more