Family Programs
The Philmont Training Center offers a full, organized program for every member
of the family—from infants to spouses. Family members will be joined by others
in their age group and will participate in a carefully designed, age- and
ability-specific program under the leadership of trained, experienced staff. Groups
are arranged by age:
Babysitting is not available, and child programs are not available at other
times. If both parents are taking a conference, the demands of the conference
schedule may make for some difficulties. It is not recommended that parents of
Nursery or Small Fry children both enroll
in conferences because these ages are "parent-intensive."
Children must participate in the family programs or be under the supervision
of a parent and may not attend conference sessions with a parent. Children who
are ill are returned to their parents. Disruptive behavior is not
tolerated. Children who are disruptive are removed from the program.
If poor behavior continues, parents are asked to remove their child from the
premises.
Family groups may be combined if registration is low, or split further if
registration is high. Schedules may vary due to group size, weather, or other
factors at Philmont.
Some spending money, canteens or water bottles, rain gear, and a day pack large
enough to hold all their gear will be needed for each person participating in family
program activities.
Each family program group will participate in activities designed with the age
and ability of the family member in mind.
A nursery is in the Small Fry Center, and parents may leave their children during
family program times. They may be left for an hour or two, or for the entire morning
or afternoon as determined by your group or conference schedule. Care is provided
according to your instructions.
Parents of Nursery-age children need to send all essential items (bottles, sweaters,
diapers, etc.) with their children. Labels should be placed on these items with their
name and your tent city and tent number.
At the Small Fry Center, the staff provides activities, games, pony rides, and
supervised play during the family program times. Parents of Small Fry children need
to send all essential items (bottles, sweaters, diapers, etc.) with their children.
Labels should be placed on these items with their name and your name.
These groups participate in nature hikes, picnics, pony rides, lawn games,
songs and skits, day hikes, sports, museum tours, and handicrafts. During weeks
of low attendance, the Cowgirls and Cowpokes may be merged to form a group we
call the "Bandits."
Activities for Deputies include hiking, Villa Philmonte and museum tours, archery,
pony rides, air rifle shooting, sports, nature hikes, games, and crafts.
Sidewinders enjoy hiking, archery, air rifle shooting, sports, handicrafts,
nature hikes, Villa Philmonte and museum tours, and a parent-child overnighter.
The overnighter is just for the Sidewinder and a parent.
Mustangs participate in Villa Philmonte and museum tours, hikes, field sports,
handicraft projects, nature activities, a horse ride*, outdoor cooking, games, and an
overnighter.
Mustangs must have a Philmont or BSA "Level A" medical form signed by a
physician within the past 12 months and must bring the equipment listed for
overnight hikes.
* Horse rides are controlled trail rides. Riders must have an inseam
of at least 26 inches, must weigh less than 200 pounds, and must wear a helmet at all
times.
Trailblazers will enjoy a schedule of activities that varies from week to
week. The Boy Scout program may include day hikes, one or more overnighters in
Philmont's backcountry, a horse ride*, nature activities and games, archery, air
rifle shooting, and handicrafts.
Trailblazers must have a Philmont or BSA Level A medical form signed by a
physician within the past 12 months and must bring the equipment listed for
overnight hikes.
* Horse rides are controlled trail rides. Riders must have an
inseam of at least 26 inches, must weigh less than 200 pounds, and must wear a
helmet at all times.
Broncos is a program for teenage family members who choose not to participate
in the Mountain Trek. Broncos stay at PTC with their family, but enjoy a week of
activities built around participation in Philmont's COPE course (a team-building,
ropes course experience), day hikes, a horse ride, and an overnighter.
Be sure to notify the Training Center if your teenager will be in the Los Jovenes
group or the Mountain Trek program. It relates to housing assignments in the tent
cities.
Mountain Men and Mountain Women treks are backpacking expeditions that provide
the opportunity to experience the rugged challenges of Philmont's Sangre de Cristo
mountains. Mountain Trek crews hike 20 to 30 miles into the backcountry, where
participants stay at several camps that offer a variety of exciting programs, along
with time to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Philmont.
The Mountain Trek program is for young men and women who are 14 years old, but
not yet 21. All Mountain Trek participants must complete
and return the Mountain Trek application included in the participant's packet.
Participants are organized into male or female crews and are placed under the
supervision of two of Philmont's highly qualified Rangers.
On Sunday afternoon, Mountain Trek participants check in at the Philmont Training
Center and meet at 2 P.M. prepared to leave for the trek. After a short orientation
meeting with the Mountain Trek Rangers, the participants are divided into crews
based on their age and ability and prepare for departure into the backcountry.
Participants return Saturday morning after breakfast.
A Philmont Health and Medical Record (signed by a physician within the past 12
months and the parent or guardian) is required. Philmont provides crew gear, but
you will need the personal gear listed on the Mountain Trek equipment list.
Note: the Mountain Trek program is not available during the first
week of summer conferences.
Wives, husbands, and other adult family members find that a wide range of
activities are planned that may include museum visits, local history, Indian arts
programs, pottery-making demonstrations, guided nature walks and programs, Villa
Philmonte tours, trips to nearby towns, COPE, and fishing. Silverados
carpool to any hike or activity away from PTC.
An extensive day-hiking program is available Silverados. Hikes range
from an easy one-mile nature walk to somewhat strenuous all-day hikes of three
to eight miles. Possible hiking destinations include Abreu Camp, Lover's Leap,
Cathedral and Window Rock, Carson Meadows, Zastrow Camp, Urraca Trail, and
others.