Tried of Losing the Philmont Lottery? We have the next closest* thing.
*(45 miles SW of
Philmont
Ranch)
Pecos BackPackers
Pecos Packers is a High Adventure Program sponsored by the South
Plains Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The program begins at
the Tres Ritos
Scout Camp in New Mexico (45 miles Northwest of Las Vegas, NM) and
lasts
one week. Mountain vistas and wild flowers greet your every step as you
transverse the Pecos Wilderness Area. Depending on the number of
requests and
the availability of staff, it occurs during two weeks in
July 2010 (11-17; & 18-24). Many scouters and
scouts are familiar
with backpacking at Philmont Scout Ranch, which is located 45 miles to
the Northeast. The Pecos Wilderness Area is a rugged area with steep
grades
and narrow trails (we have more trees, water, and elevation than
Philmont, elevations above 12,000').
We will work with you to design a program to fit your desires. For those groups who wish to complete the Backpacking Merit Badge, thirty miles is required. For a more strenuous program you can earn the "50 Miler Patch". Fifty miles will be a challenge for your boys and adults. Depending on your goal for distance, additional Merit badges may also be available; Hiking, Weather, Wilderness Survival are just some that can be taught on the trail. It is rare, but due to the altitude and rugged terrain sometimes we must ask folks to return early to base camp. This is a dissapointment for the individual and a large disruption for the rest of the crew. Therefore, we will strictly enforce the Philmont Weight Standards. We require that all boys be 14 years old (13 with prior coordination with the Program Director). Let's discuss the options and find the right solution.
We provide a trained guide who is 18 years or older for each travel team. Travel teams are limited to a maximum of 15 individuals (including the guide) by Forest Service Rules. If you have just a few scouts or scouters, we will collect them into a larger group. For troops with more than fourteen, we will break it down into smaller teams.
For more details see "Other Information" below. The section on Concept of Operations provides a description of how we conduct Pecos Packers. This section and Frequently Ask Questions will cover most of your questions. However, if you have additional questions or would like to discuss our programs, send an email to our Pecos Packer Director
The South Plains Council also offers a resident camp at Tres Ritos during the same two weeks of July 2010, which would be suitable for your younger scouts or adults that are not ready for the trail.
We will work with you to design a program to fit your desires. For those groups who wish to complete the Backpacking Merit Badge, thirty miles is required. For a more strenuous program you can earn the "50 Miler Patch". Fifty miles will be a challenge for your boys and adults. Depending on your goal for distance, additional Merit badges may also be available; Hiking, Weather, Wilderness Survival are just some that can be taught on the trail. It is rare, but due to the altitude and rugged terrain sometimes we must ask folks to return early to base camp. This is a dissapointment for the individual and a large disruption for the rest of the crew. Therefore, we will strictly enforce the Philmont Weight Standards. We require that all boys be 14 years old (13 with prior coordination with the Program Director). Let's discuss the options and find the right solution.
We provide a trained guide who is 18 years or older for each travel team. Travel teams are limited to a maximum of 15 individuals (including the guide) by Forest Service Rules. If you have just a few scouts or scouters, we will collect them into a larger group. For troops with more than fourteen, we will break it down into smaller teams.
For more details see "Other Information" below. The section on Concept of Operations provides a description of how we conduct Pecos Packers. This section and Frequently Ask Questions will cover most of your questions. However, if you have additional questions or would like to discuss our programs, send an email to our Pecos Packer Director
The South Plains Council also offers a resident camp at Tres Ritos during the same two weeks of July 2010, which would be suitable for your younger scouts or adults that are not ready for the trail.
Reservations for Summer Camp -
($150 deposit fee per group)
