Scouts MUST EITHER be 14 by January 1, 2004, OR be 13 and finish the Eighth Grade in 2004.  NO EXCEPTIONS.  Scouts cannot be 18 years of age before Day 1 of their Philmont trek.  Scouts CAN turn 18 years of age while on their trek.

Scouts MUST be a registered member of a chartered unit - Troop or Venture Crew.

Additional requirements for participation may be set by Troop Leadership (rank, attendance, etc.).

Adult advisors MUST be a registered member of a chartered unit - Troop or Venture Crew.

Adult advisors MUST obtain Youth Protection Training (YPT) in 2004 before the trek.

The Philmont expedition fee:  $475.00 per participant (both Scout and adult advisor)

The contingency fund fee: A contingency fund is used to cover all costs of travel, lodging, trip related crew gear expenses, a post-trek pizza or burger feast in Cimarron, and emergency expenses.   This fee will also provide each participant with one crew T-shirt, the Philmont patch protector, a Philmont bolo tie, and the annual Philmont round patch.  For past trips we collected $150.00 per participant and refunded $20.00 per participant on returning home.  In looking ahead, my guess would be that the contingency fee per person for 2004 will be between $200 and $225.  As always, any left over funds will be distributed evenly among participants as soon as possible once we are back home.

Personal Gear purchases/rentals (Please contact one of the adult advisors before making ANY major gear purchase.  DO NOT purchase hiking boots for Philmont any sooner than January or February of 2004.)

Shakedown Campout costs - campsite and food expenses (We will plan 6 shakedown campouts/activities.  It will be mandatory to attend at least 4 of these activities including all participants at the June shakedown.)

Meals on the road to and from Philmont (These are not covered in contingency fee.)

Trading Post/Snack Bar/Trail money (Philmont provides a very full trading post for Scouts to shop in.  Items that will be wanted by all crew members will include a Philmont belt and a Philmont belt buckle.  These 2 items together will probably cost around $25 to $30.  A rundown of available items will be covered at the final parent meeting in 2004.  Mr. West would suggest a Scout earn at least $100.00 to use for trading post/snack bar/trail money.)

A rough guess of the total cost for each participant to attend Philmont (not including any personal gear purchases and allowing $100.00 spending money) is between $950 and $1,000.  That sounds like a LOT of money, and it is, but take into consideration what any other 15-day vacation would cost per person.  Philmont turns out to be a pretty good deal, if not a bargain.  Scouts should begin earning and saving money NOW!!! (These are only suggested guidelines, NOT expectations, based on many Scouter's years of experience.)