Programs
The Philmont experience is all about "programs". At the
backcountry campsites, crews will participate in programs. Different
programs are offered at different campsites. The Philmont programs (for
summer 2006) include:
Archaeology: The Ponil
country in the northern section is rich in the prehistoric background of the
American Indian. Your crew can help
reconstruct Philmont history while participating in this fascinating program and
learning about Indians who inhabited this area.
Archery (3-D):
Offered as part of the Jicarilla Apache Life program.
Astronomy:
Featured at Ring Place Camp, you can gaze through a professional quality
telescope at the rings of Saturn, distant stars, and the moon.
Bikeathlon: This is a new program for 2006.
Your crew will compete in a timed event where you ride “high tech” mountain
bikes and shoot modern air rifles for a score. (Note that this program
has been discontinued).
Black Powder Rifle:
You will use powder, patch, ball, ramrod, and cap to actually load and
shoot a .50 caliber muzzle-loading rifle. This
exciting, historic program is offered at Black Mountain, Clear Creek, and Miranda.
Blacksmithing:
The ring of hammer striking iron echoes through the mountains around
French Henry, Black Mountain, and Cypher’s Mine camps.
Here a staff blacksmith will acquaint you with a working forge, blower, leg
vice and hardie, and an array of tongs used to grip red-hot iron.
He will discuss and demonstrate techniques for firing the forge, working
metal, and tempering the finished product.
Burro Packing:
No animal is more closely associated with the colorful history of the
Southwest than the burro. Burro packing methods are explained and demonstrated at Ponil
and Miranda. Your tents and food
may be packed on burros using a diamond hitch. Burros are available for use on
the trail in the northern portion of the ranch, starting or ending at Ponil and
Miranda. Burro traps (holding pens
for overnight stops) are located at Ponil, Pueblano, and Miranda.
Hay for feeding is provided at these camps.
If your itinerary provides for packing burros, take advantage of this
unique opportunity to pack them just as the miners once did.
Burro Racing:
Thrills galore await you in catching, packing, and racing a burro in
competition with other crews. At Harlin
this activity provides a memorable experience.
Cantina:
Ponil and Abreu offer the opportunity for a thirst-quenching root beer in
a Mexican or Western-style cantina. You
can buy root beer for your whole crew or a cup for yourself.
Chuckwagon
Meals: The programs at
Clark’s Fork and Beaubien include a special chuck wagon meal.
Ponil will feature a chuck wagon meal and a special breakfast.
Members of your crew will help prepare these meals.
Fruit cobbler baked in a Dutch oven is great.
Continental Tie and
Lumber Company: The exciting
legend of the loggers with the Continental Tie and Lumber Company will come to
life through the staff at Pueblano and Crater Lake.
They will share their skills of spartree “pole” climbing and the use
of wood tools and instruments. Competition
in exciting logging events such as log toss, cross-cut sawing, and log tongs
races will challenge your crew.
Environmental Awareness:
Become acquainted with some of the western birds, wildflowers, mammals,
lizards, snakes, and insects in this natural outdoor wonderland.
Discover what wildlife passed through camp by observing tracks and other
signs—view how plant and animal species change as you climb higher into the
mountains and learn why these changes occur—walk past the timberline and
observe the life that survives the rigors of this high-altitude environment.
Fly Tying and Fishing:
The Rayado and Agua Fria streams in the south and Ponil stream in the
north offer excellent trout fishing. Though
not large, these trout are wary and exciting to catch.
A little time and skill spent along these streams may yield you a
delicious trout supper or breakfast. Fly
rods may be checked out at Fish Camp, Phillips Junction, Abreu, and Ponil.
At Fish Camp a program counselor with material and equipment
will show you how to tie your own trout flies.
A tour of Waite Phillips' fishing lodge, including a narrative of area history,
is also offered. All fishermen are required to have a current New Mexico state fishing
license.
12
Gauge Shotgun Shooting: Shooting
trap takes skill, but with some instruction and practice you may find that you
can hit clay birds. Each
participant at Harlan will reload and fire 3 rounds; additional rounds may be
purchased at 3 for $1.00.
Geology:
Philmont and private sector geologists have teamed up to provide an exciting and
educational program of geology, mining technology and history at the sites where
history comes alive--Cypher's Mine, Baldy Camp, and French Henry.
Gold Mining and Panning:
Gold is still found in almost all streams on Philmont, which was once the
scene of lucrative gold-mining operations.
Mine shafts, sluice boxes, and placer mines dot the mountainsides and
valleys. If your itinerary takes
you to Cypher’s Mine or French Henry you will tour a real gold mine. Not working now, the mine is carefully shored so you can tour
the mine tunnel. Bring your jacket
and flashlight for the tour. Learn
about adventures that were experienced during the fascinating and colorful past
as determined miners sought their fortunes in these historic mountains.
When you find some “color,” ask one of the staff miners for some
cellophane tape so you can take your discovery home to show others your success.
Gold pans are available for you at Cypher’s Mine, Baldy Camp, and French Henry.
Homesteading:
At Crooked Creek, Rich Cabins, and Abreu your crew will visit a working
homestead. The staff will help you
learn early day skills such as rail splitting, shingle making, primitive
farming, log structure construction, and care of farmyard animals. In
keeping with the southwestern spirit of the program, you will be instructed in
preparing a special Mexican meal at Abreu.
Horse Rides:
Philmont maintains a remuda of 300 western horses with strings located at
Beaubien, Clark's Fork, and Ponil. All three camps offer exhilarating
mountain horse rides at 8a.m. and 1p.m. Be prompt for your scheduled
ride. Reservations are made at Logistics Services on a first-come,
first-served basis upon arrival at Philmont.
Philmont wranglers are courteous but strict. They make
certain everyone stays in line and maintains the pace to avoid endangering
members of your crew. Even skilled riders cannot be permitted to ride at a
different pace or away from the group. Please cooperate with the wranglers
by following instructions for a safe and enjoyable ride. For your personal
safety, you will wear a helmet, which will be provided. Ponchos and maps
should not be taken since they may frighten the horses. Wear long trousers
on your horse ride to protect your legs. Persons weighing over 200 pounds
will not be permitted to ride.
Jicarilla Apache Life:
Apache Springs offers a unique program featuring the lifestyle of the
Jicarilla Apache. You will see how the Jicarilla's worked and played.
A replica Jicarilla village has been erected for this program.
Teepees are furnished with realistic fireplaces, back rests, robes,
hides, and baskets for you to see.
A 3-D archery program will be offered. You may also grind
corn using a mano and metate formed from smooth rocks.
After that you can enjoy a “Jicarilla sauna” in a sweat lodge
followed by a dousing with cold water.
Mexican Homestead:
At Abreu you will become acquainted with the art of constructing
southwestern architecture. After
mixing a batch of adobe mud, using a special formula of clay, straw, water, and
sand, you pack it into wooden forms to mold bricks.
When the bricks have dried from the solar energy of the New Mexico sun,
they are used for construction.
Mexican
Dinner: The program at Abreu
includes a Mexican meal. Members of
your crew will help prepare this meal.
Mountain Biking:
Enjoy one of America’s fastest growing sports at Whitman Vega Camp as
your crew takes a wilderness Mountain Bike Ride into the most remote areas of
the beautiful Valle Vidal section of the Carson National Forest.
Mountain Livin’:
This interpretive program is based upon skills utilized by the people who
lived in this area years ago. Blacksmithing,
candle making, fashioning furniture and utensils from native materials, and
making soap are typical of early homestead crafts you will learn and do.
The only access to Black Mountain Camp is on horse or foot; it is a
perfect setting for this unique program.
Mountain
Man Rendezvous:
Catch some of the flavor of a mountain man rendezvous while at
Miranda. Find out why rendezvous were held and what went on. See
demonstrations of the mountain way of life and participate in some of these
skills and contests such as "hawk" throwing and muzzle-loading rifle.
Mountaineering:
Although not a staff-sponsored program feature, mountaineering can be as
fun and exciting as any. Restless
adventurers seek challenges, comradeship, spectacular views, fields of delicate
wildflowers, stimulating exercise, and solace by climbing high mountains.
You can fulfill these urges at Philmont , where many challenging
mountains await you.
Mount Waite
Phillips, nearly 12,000 feet high, towers over the beautiful southwest section
of Philmont country. This peak is a
rugged climb with fabulous views of Eagle Nest Lake, Wheeler Peak (highest
mountain in New Mexico at 13,161 feet elevation), and most of Philmont.
“Old Baldy,”
named for its rocky, barren top, is a favorite climb for those who camp in the
Baldy Camp vicinity. Dotted with
old gold mines, Baldy is the highest peak on Philmont—12,441 feet.
The view from its top is unobstructed and spectacular.
The Tooth of Time, the 9.003-foot high Philmont molar, rises
abruptly 2,500 feet from the valley floor.
A landmark along the old Santa Fe Trail, the Tooth will give you a
memorable view of Philmont.
Big Red, Black Mountain, Hart Peak, Lookout
Peak, Trail Peak,
and many other peaks will test your stamina and give you breathtaking views of
surrounding terrain.
Always
carry water, rain gear, jacket and other essentials when mountaineering..
No
Trace Camping: Wildland ethic
depends upon attitude and awareness rather than on rules and regulations. While at Dan Beard you will have the opportunity to learn how
to enjoy wildland with respect; to
hike, camp, eat meals, and dispose of trash without leaving a scar or trace.
Philmont
Story Campfires: Throughout the
backcountry, various staffed camps conduct special evening campfires and
programs.
Urraca, Pueblano,
and Crater Lake campfires relate to tales of the Old West, logging, and the
history of the land. Facts about
the Beaubien-Miranda Land Grant come alive and the influence of Waite Phillips
and his gift of Philmont to the BSA provides for special inspiration.
At Beaubien and
Clark’s Fork, the focus is on the Old West with its songs and stories and
true cowboy atmosphere.
At Cypher’s Mine
the story of gold will become memorable as an interpreter relates the life and
adventures of miners of yesteryear at the nightly "STOMP."
Conducting your own
campfire can be equally stimulating, whether you are camping at Visto Grande,
Wild Horse Park, New Dean, or another non-staffed camp.
You and your friends will enjoy the camaraderie that radiates from the
warmth of a Scouting campfire.
Post Civil War Settlers:
Learn how the settlers who came to New Mexico following the Civil War
lived.
.30-06
Rifle Shooting: This program
offers a review of firearms and tips for successful and safe shooting.
Wildlife conservation and game management are discussed.
Metallic silhouette
targets provide a challenging experience at Sawmill’s .30-06 rifle range.
Each participant will reload and fire 3 rounds; additional rounds may be
purchased at 3 for $1.00.
Ring
Ranch: Visit the historic Ring
family home at Ring Place camp and learn about their way of life during the
early years. Astronomy is featured
each night. Gaze through a
professional quality telescope to see the rings of Saturn, distant stars and
moons. Learn how to predict weather in a wilderness setting.
Rock
Climbing: This fascinating and
challenging sport is a favorite of all Philmont campers.
You’ll scale a steep pitch and rappel down a sheer cliff.
Philmont has carefully selected three areas to conduct this program where
the rocks are safe and practical, but a distinct “Class Five” challenge.
Under supervision of
expert climbers, you will climb using your hands and feet while protected by
rope, carabineers, and helmet. Safety is always practiced.
Rock climbing at
Philmont is restricted to the three locations, Miner’s Park, Cimarroncito, and
Dean Cow, and is only done under the supervision of Philmont rock climbing
staff.
Rocky
Mountain Fur Company: At Clear
Creek several veteran trappers of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company (portrayed by
Philmont staff members) have established an outpost camp.
Trapping was their way of life, however, it is not practiced at Philmont
today. See traps like those used to
catch beaver, muskrat, raccoon, and bear. Hear
about how they cured the hides and see trade goods which they used to purchase
food and supplies.
Ropes
and Challenges: A series of activities
that will test the teamwork, skill, and resourcefulness of your crew awaits you
at Dan Beard, Head of Dean, and Urraca Camps.
While the challenges can be met by every crew , the real contest is with
yourself. Did you do your best? How
would you do better next time?
Tyrannosaurus Rex Track:
View the track of this huge dinosaur and participate in archeological studies.
Western
Lore: Philmont is an operating
western cattle ranch. Cowboys
still watch over cattle on horseback and drive them from their winter pasture on
the plains to high mountain meadows for summer grazing.
While you hike the trails, look for the whiteface Hereford cattle.
Though not wild, they are best observed from a distance.
A cow with a calf may become dangerous if she feels her calf is
threatened. To chase or attempt to rope these animals is foolish and can
result in serious injury. Watch and
photograph them if you wish.
An organized western
lore program is offered at Beaubien, Ponil, and Clark’s Fork.
Horse riding, campfires, and branding are all part of the western lore
program. Philmont cowboys will tell
you about New Mexico’s cattle industry. Using
authentic western lariats, they will show you how to rope.
The cowboy’s garb and equipment will be named and their uses explained.
After a hearty chuck wagon dinner which you help prepare, you’ll gather
around a campfire under the western sky for an evening of songs, guitar playing,
and stories of the Old West at Beaubien or Clark’s Fork, Ponil campers may gather at the cantina. Ponil
also features a chuck wagon breakfast.
Wilderness
Medicine/Search
and Rescue/GPS Technology:
This exciting
informative program at Sealy Canyon Camp will enable your crew to “Be Prepared” to meet emergency
first aid needs in a true wilderness environment.
Every year many people become lost in the outdoors.
Scouts are often called upon to help search for these people.
Your crew will enjoy learning how to correctly conduct an organized
search.
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