explorer base

PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH
PART I
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P 2 is a national camping area . . . located in northeastern
New Mexico . . . comprising 137,221 acres ,of rugged western
country on the slopes of the Sangre de Cristo range of the
Rockies . . . altitude ranges from 6,500 feet to 12,441 feet.
is rich in history and the mark of the men who made
it . . . ancient Indians and the writings they chiseled into
the rocks . . . hard-riding conquistadors . . . early American
trappers and pioneers carrying the frontier on their backs
. . . the rugged breed of mountain men like Kit Carson
laying trails across this land, building their great ranchos
athwart the Santa Fe Trail, monuments to Philmont's fabulous
past.
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P 2 is rich in wild game . . . deer, elk, coyote, antelope,
mountain lion, buffalo, wild turkey, bear . . . its hills and
canyons teem with birdlife, its streams abound with fish
. . . its cool mountains harbor a wilderness of botany - trees,
flowers, grasses - and are themselves a storehouse of living
geology - the timeless record of the rocks.
p7 is rich in natural beauty . . . the soaring Tooth of Time
. . . sunrise from lofty Mount Phillips . . . the blue water
at Cimarroncito, and the eye-stretching sweep of the plain
from Uracca Mesa . . . the sunlight filtering through the
aspens along the rippling Rayado.
/ is unforgettable adventure in Philmont's sky-high backcountry.
The broad-shouldered traditions, the best of the
old West - horseback riding, burro packing, wilderness survival-are
combined in an unbeatable recipe for fastmoving
fun and he-man outdooring.
/2 is camping with your own unit . . . planning, sharing,
and doing things together in this land of mountain men.
/2 is individual gmwth . . . physical, mental, social, and
lasting spiritual growth in the inspiring shadow of mountains
by the dying embers of a campfire in the glow of a night
sky aflame with stars. Here a boy can take long strides
toward manhood.
p-s Philmont Scout Ranch cattle brand
/ 2 Philmont Scout Ranch horse brand
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A SPECIAL MESSAGE TO
THE EXPEDITION LEADER
Dear Scouter Friend:
Congratulations for having been selected the leader of a
Philmont expedition. This reflects great credit on you
and your leadership abilities.
At the same time, this places on you a great responsibility.
Parents are entrusting their sons to your care. The Boy
Scouts of America are placing their faith and confidence
in your leadership. More important, the boys, who will be
in your crew, will demand the realization of their hopes,
aspirations, and dreams of Philmont.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES ARE TO
1. Recruit Scouts and Explorers who will have reached
their fourteenth (14) birthday by September 1, and
who in every way are really "first class" Scouts and/
or Explorers.
2. Organize your expedition, and
3. Train the members of your expedition so that they
will be prepared for the high adventure that awaits
them at Philmont.
THE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
for yourself and your young men are exacting. EVERY
camper at Philmont must be physically strong. At Philmont
he will carry his pack, weighing 25-35 pounds, and
hike over rough mountain terrain.
Individuals who are excessively overweight, or who have
physical disabilities that prevent them from hiking over
rough terrain, or who have heart conditions that cannot
stand arduous exertion, should not consider coming to
Philmont.
When you have recruited the full complement of members
for your expedition (10 is a good number), then
ORGANIZE YOUR EXPEDITION
Use the roster on the following page. This becomes your
expedition. Together with your crew, review the following
pages that will give you a foretaste of what is in
store for you at Philmont.
Philmont is a "natural" for the chartered units. The natural
gang with their regular adult leader derive even greater
enjoyment and benefits when they come to Philmont. This
becomes "our" big super-activity for the year.
Happy, exciting days lie ahead for you and your gang.
Best of luck.
Joe Davis
Director of Camping
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