Philmont Scout Ranch

The Tooth of Time, an icon of Philmont Scout Ranch

The Santa Fe Trail crossed the plains just southwest of Philmont in the mid-1800s. The Tooth of Time owes its name to this trail; travelers knew that once they passed it, they had only one week to go until they reached Santa Fe, New Mexico. Philmont's strategic location along the trail spurred some interest in it. In 1841, Carlos Beaubien and Guadalupe Miranda obtained a large land grant from the Mexican government, including the present ranch. Soon the grant passed on to Beaubien's son-in-law Lucien Maxwell, who played an important role in developing and settling it. Maxwell sold the ranch to the Maxwell Land Grant and Railroad Company, which gave up and handed it on to a Dutch development company, which decided to parcel it out to ranchers.

One of the most prominent ranchers was Jesus Gil Abreu, who ran the Abreu Rayado Ranch from the 1870s till his death in 1901. Operating from the Rayado Settlement, he raised cattle, goats, and sheep and grew crops. The family owned this property until 1911, when they sold most of it off. One of the sons remained on the ranch near the site of Abreu, a present staffed camp, and his homestead was preserved for years. Eventually, the adobe structure was abandoned, and it collapsed. The foundation of this building now serves as the foundation for the Abreu cantina. The house was reconstructed in 1998 about 100 feet (30 m) uphill.

The history of mining at Philmont dates back to the years immediately after the Civil War. U.S. soldiers were stationed in the West after the war, as the U.S. Army was driving out the Native Americans in the United States. At Fort Union, some stationed soldiers traded with Native Americans for float copper. In 1866, the soldiers went up Baldy Mountain in search of this copper, but instead found gold. They could not stay to mine the gold due to the approaching winter, but by the time they returned in the spring, the area was overrun with prospectors.[9] Scores of gold mines were excavated and operated into the early 20th century on what was once the Baldy Mining District, now modern day Philmont. Today, the Contention Mine, located at Cyphers Mine, and the Aztec Mine, located above French Henry, are open to guided tours.

Wealthy oil magnate and wilderness enthusiast Waite Phillips amassed a large part of the old land grant in the 1920s, totaling over 300,000 acres (1,200 km²). Phillips built a large residence in the lowlands of Philmont. He turned the ranch into a private game reserve for himself and friends, and built a number of hunting lodges and day-use camps. He chose not to provide electricity at the remote camps. A few of these original camps, including Fish Camp and the Hunting Lodge, have been preserved, complete with wood-burning stoves, oil lamps, and unique design features indicative of Phillips's often eccentric taste.

Phillips sometimes allowed others, including a few Boy Scout troops, to visit his ranch. He was so impressed with the Scouts that in 1938, during the Great Depression, he donated 35,857 acres (145.11 km²) of his land to the Boy Scouts of America. His only condition was that the property be used "for the benefit of the members of the Boy Scout organization".[4] He donated a second, larger section of land later in the 1930s, requiring only that this section pay its fair share of taxes on any portion devoted to competitive commercial operations.[4]

In 1941, Phillips added more Philmont property, including the Villa Philmonte, bringing the total to 127,395 acres (515.55 km²). Contrary to popular belief, Phillips did not donate his entire ranch to the Boy Scouts, but only that portion of the property that provided the most recreational value. The total donation comprised about 40% of the ranch. To help fund maintenance of Philmont, he also donated the Philtower office building in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1963, vice-president of the National Council Norton Clapp contributed funds to purchase another 10,098 acres (40.87 km²) of land within the Maxwell Land Grant, consisting of the Baldy Mountain mining area. In 2015, the Boy Scouts of America purchased 2,684 acres (10.86 km²) that was once operated as a camp called Cimarroncita Ranch.

In 1989, the Boy Scouts obtained a renewable special use permit to the Valle Vidal Unit of the Carson National Forest from the United States Forest Service. This allowed Scouts to hike and camp in the area. Philmont operates three staffed camps—Whiteman Vega, Seally Canyon, and Ring Place—and two trail camps in that area. Those camps serve around 3,000 Scouts each summer. In return, each camper is asked to contribute three hours of conservation work in the Valle on projects approved by the Forest Service.

Rich Cabins, a historical farming cabin on Ted Turner's Vermejo Park Ranch, is operated as a staff camp.

The camp was initially named the "Philturn Rockymountain Scoutcamp".[4][10] The word 'Philturn' is derived from Waite Phillips' name, together with the "Good Turn" he did by donating the property. The ranch's name was changed to the "Philmont Scout Ranch and Explorer Base".

In its early days, Philmont had a half dozen "base camps" constructed at strategic locations. Visiting Scouts lived at one of these camps for a week and could take day hikes to surrounding locations. To visit a different area, the Scouts packed their gear onto burros and hiked to another base camp. Today, the program is based on backpacking, and Scouts carry all their gear, living in tents while on expedition.[11]

The standard and most popular Philmont program is the backpacking trek. A typical Philmont trek lasts 12 days and covers anywhere from 56 miles (90 km) to 106 miles (171 km).[12]

There are six divisions of the Conservation Department in the summer, each led by an Associate Director of Conservation - Work Crew, Forestry Crew, Conservationists, GIS, Environmental Education (ROCS, Trail Crew Trek), and Order of the Arrow Trail Crew. Work Crews are staff groups who are responsible for maintaining and creating campsites and trails. Trail Crews and other staff known as Advanced Teams are the first Conservation staffers to begin hiking and clearing the trails, one month prior to the first participants' arrival. Conservationists live in staff camps or spike camps and lead conservation projects for treks passing through their camp. The GIS staff map trails, campsites, and other features of the Philmont Backcountry. In recognition of the 100th anniversary of the BSA, Northrop Grumman donated high-resolution geospatial data of the ranch to Philmont. GIS and the Conservation Department use the data to create enhanced maps and improve conservation efforts throughout the ranch. The Division of Forestry's priority is forest fuels reduction. Using chainsaws, a masticator, a skidder, and a portable sawmill, these crews create defensible space around staff camps and strategic shaded fuel breaks to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and improve the health and productivity of Philmont's forests while utilizing the wood in construction projects around the Ranch. Slash from the thinning projects is piled and burned and a prescribed fire program is being developed to maintain desired forest condition. The Forestry crews work year-round, and each staff member receives detailed training in chainsaw operations, as well as an overview of forest management and fire ecology.[13]

The Roving Outdoor Conservation School (ROCS), started in 2000, is a twenty-one day trek program that is open to males and females between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one. ROCS is an educational backpacking experience rooted in conservation and environmental science education. Throughout the trek participants have lessons rooted in environmental science, visits from guest speakers, and the opportunity to work on conservation projects with the Philmont Conservation Department and the U.S. Forest Service in the Valle Vidal Unit of the Carson National Forest. While on the trail participants learn about ecology, botany, dendrology, geology, hydrology, forestry, soil science, fire ecology, environmental policy, leave no trace principles, environmental ethics, conservation techniques, and wildlife, range, and land management practices. Participants tackle conservation projects ranging from trailbuilding to meadow encroachment to timber stand improvement to erosion control to streambed restoration. Participants are exposed to the land management challenges facing the West, as well as the rest of America. The program focuses on empowering participants so that they may transfer what they learn on the trail to their lives back home.[14]

Trail Crew Trek is a fourteen-day education experience rooted in service through conservation. Participants build trail for seven days and then go on a seven-day educational trek throughout Philmont, involving hands-on experience with a variety of conservation projects on the ranch and visits from guest speakers involved in conservation and resource management.[15]

Order of the Arrow Trail Crew is a fourteen-day program for Order of the Arrow members aged 16 to 21 that gives participants an opportunity to work on various conservation projects around the ranch. Order of the Arrow Trail Crews follow the same format as Trail Crew Treks - one week building trail and then a self-planned, week-long trek.[16] Many Order of the Arrow lodges and sections offer scholarships to Order of the Arrow members.

The Rayado Program patch

The Rayado program is a select, strenuous twenty day backpacking program designed for experienced Scouts. Rayado crews are accompanied by two rangers and experience a number of challenges geared toward developing personal growth, a sense of stewardship for the environment, and leadership skills. Rayado participants are challenged physically, mentally, and spiritually as they hike Philmont's most challenging trails, visit parts of the backcountry that are never seen by regular trek participants, and take part in activities that are not available to other Scouts. This includes difficult rock climbing and instruction in outdoor leadership, wilderness problem-solving, and advanced outdoor skills which include wilderness backpacking, navigation and travel, expeditio behavior and group dynamics, advanced cooking, wilderness stewardship, and wilderness first aid and backcountry emergency procedures. A Rayado Trek encourages personal growth, teamwork, and leadership ability.[17]

Participants must be at least 15 and less than 21 years old, be in excellent physical condition, and skilled in Leave No Trace camping. Applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from an adult Scouter detailing their character and back country experience. Applications must be approved by a parent or guardian, a unit leader, and the local council executive. During 2019, two Rayado programs are scheduled. The cost per person is $800 in 2019 and $845 in 2020.[18] Rayado scholarships, presented by the Philmont Staff Association, are annually awarded to deserving campers who wish to take part in the Rayado program. Scholarships generally cover the full cost of the Rayado Program, but a number of smaller partial scholarships are also available and all Rayado participants are encouraged to apply. Transportation to and from Philmont is the responsibility of the camper and is not covered in the scholarships.

Rayado crews are put together by Philmont staff and consist of people from different parts of the country. A person may only be a Rayado participant once; a ranger may only be assigned to a Rayado crew once; and staff members are disqualified from participation in Rayado treks except as rangers.

The Rayado Program was once known as the Kit Carson Program.

A Ranger helping Scouts on their first day at Philmont

Service Academy Rangers undergoing training

The Ranger Department was founded in 1957 by Clarence E. Dunn, Jack Rhea and Dr. Ray Loomis, the former of which served as chief ranger for 14 years. Rangers are responsible for ensuring that all participants know all required skills and procedures needed for backcountry treks, and for coaching the youth leadership to help them develop their skills and confidence and have a successful trek.[19] They hike along with crews on the 12-day treks for the first two days on the trail, during which time they teach and observe the crew. They are also responsible for Search and rescue on Philmont property and in surrounding areas. The Ranger Department also includes Mountain Trek Rangers who lead the week-long Mountain Treks that originate in the Philmont Training Center.

Ranger Trainers, experienced staff who have finished one or more seasons as a Ranger, train and supervise Rangers. Each trainer oversees from 8-10 Rangers in a Ranger Training Crew and are expected to lead two backpacking crews per summer. In the summer of 2013 there were roughly 240 people in the Ranger Department, organized into 25 training crews. Upper ranger leadership consists of coordinators for the Rayado, Mountain Trek, Service Academy, and scheduling programs, four Associate Chief Rangers, and the Chief Ranger. During the summer of 2007, the Philmont Staff Association coordinated a 50th Anniversary Ranger Reunion at the ranch. Over 300 former Rangers attended this event.

A program in which young men and women can earn a discounted eight-day Cavalcade trek at Philmont by participating in an eight-day work session. Participants work with the Horse Department staff taking care of Philmont's 250 head of horses and 80 head of burros. Participants help by hauling hay and feed, saddling horses, helping keep the horses shod, and assisting on Philmont trail rides. The work can be strenuous and requires top physical and mental conditioning. After the eight-day work session, the Ranch Hands crew gathers together and embarks on an eight-day Cavalcade under the leadership of a Horseman and Wrangler.[20]

National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE) is a high-intensity Boy Scout leadership course taught at Philmont Scout Ranch. It is based on backcountry high adventure skills and began in the summer of 2006 replacing the previous National Junior Leader Instructor Course. The course is available to Boy Scouts and Venturers aged 14 through 20 who have completed their local council National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) course and is held during six one-week sessions.[21] Based at Philmont's Rayado Ridge Leadership Camp and taught at various locations across Philmont Scout Ranch, the program hones youth leadership skills through ethical decision making and participation in Philmont Ranger backcountry training.

Programs offered throughout the year:[22]

• Cavalcades are similar to standard treks, but are conducted on horseback. The packing restrictions are even more intense than a regular trek as participants are only allowed one standard sleeping bag stuff sacks to pack everything into, including their sleeping bags. The participants focus more on horse care than on other programs at the camp, though they still do take part in many other activities. Cavalcades last only 7 days total, with 2 days being in base camp.
• Mountain Treks are six-day backpacking experiences for youth PTC participants.
• Philmont Autumn Adventure program
• Guided activities such as fishing, winter camping, and skiing, are offered throughout the year.

The Philbreak program ran from 2003 to 2009, and returned in 2019. It was an "alternative spring break" program started in 2003 to help restore Philmont Scout Ranch after devastating forest fires. From 2004 to 2007, the participants worked on the Urraca Trail, which is intended as a day hike for those attending the Philmont Training Center. Participants in the seven-day program were expected to work eight- or nine-hour days in all types of conditions. The program took place during three separate weeks during March. Participants also had an opportunity to take a ski break at Angel Fire. In 2008, the design of the program switched to mirror that of Philmont's Kanik. Participants spent three days and two nights in Philmont's backcountry as well as provided service on the final day. The program ended in 2010. In 2019, after the Ute Park Fire in 2018, Philbreak returned with four week-long sessions in March to help with fire mitigation.[23]

Base camp's "Tent City" where departing and returning treks are staged

Philmont operates from one large base camp, including Camping Headquarters, the National Scouting Museum, the Philmont Training Center and Villa Philmonte, fire response facilities, cattle headquarters, and an administration area.[24] During the 2012 season there were 34 staffed camps and 77 unstaffed or "trail camps". Only some trail camps have a potable water source. Camps without water are referred to as "dry camps". Most of Philmont's camps are about 2 miles (3.2 km) apart. Old camps are closed or relocated and new camps are opened every few years. Some camp sites are closed due to changing safety protocols. For example, camps were once located on top of Urraca Mesa and in the Baldy Saddle but these are unlikely to reopen because the locations are at risk for lightning strikes.

Current staffed camps

Abreu

A Mexican homestead beloved for its Cantina, which serves snacks and root beer. Its other program includes a Mexican dinner, goat-milking, and other farm-related activities and maintenance. It is set in the year 1912. Jesus Gil Abreu and his wife Petra, a daughter of Carlos Beaubien, established the Abreu settlement shortly after Lucien Maxwell's departure from the area in 1857; in addition to a successful ranch. Beaubien died in 1864, leaving the Abreus one-twelfth of the Beaubien-Miranda land grant, which in 1867 they sold to Maxwell for $3,500. Gertrude and Ramon Abreu built a house in the same year on the site that is currently Abreu. The house no longer remains, but its foundations serve as the base of the cantina. Waite Phillips largely abandoned the house, but built what is now called Old Abreu Camp to serve as a logging and sheep-raising center. Under BSA ownership, this became a staffed base in the 1960s, until it burned down twice and flooded three times, the last time being a part of the extensive 1965 floods. Program was shifted back to the old homestead site, known as "New Abreu" and later simply as "Abreu", where it was initially a camp for western lore and horse rides, and later for burro-packing, hunter safety, and fishing; in its early days it also served as a commissary. One early program which is still active as of 2007 is the Mexican dinner, though it was moved to Harlan from 1975 to 1990. The cantina program began in 1978 in the old cabin. That same year, with the advent of the adobe program, scouts began construction the current cantina itself as part of the program. It shifted to its present interpretive format in 1989. The new cabin, meant to be an example of a typical house of the period, was built as a conservation project by the cabin restoration crew during the summer and fall of 1998.

The staff at Abreu interpret the daily life of the family of Petra and Jesus Abreu and work on an example of a small homestead. They interpret characters to explain the history of the area and the family, while leading participants in daily activities, such as goat-milking, adobe brickmaking, animal care and other aspects of homestead life. Also, there is always an opportunity to play with the animals, fish in the creek, or relax in the Cantina. Trekkers usually regard the Cantina as their favorite of the camp. An adobe building with an attached courtyard and grape arbor, it serves as a place for exhausted crews to sit down and relax. A staffer sells root beer, peanuts, other foods, and critical supplies like maps, while also offering games for participants. Special events at Abreu include cantina activities, burro-racing, and baking in an horno (adobe oven).

Elevation: 7,240 ft (2,210 m).; location: South Country; water: purified from spigot; facilities: showers, latrines.

Apache Springs

Located in the far southwest corner of the ranch, Apache Springs sits on the edge of a large alpine meadow. While not an interpretive history camp (staff are not dressed in period clothing) the program relates the history and culture of the Jicarilla Apache who inhabited the region up until the mid 19th century. The camp features a small "village" of teepees where talks are given on the history and lifestyle of the Jicarilla as well as the opportunity to handle genuine artifacts. Scouts have the opportunity to make real arrowheads and experience a "sweat lodge". Apache Springs has the backcountry's only archery course, as well as a commissary where crews can resupply food, and white gas as needed. Named after the La Jicarilla Apache Indian tribe that dominated this area in the early 1700s. First opened as a staff camp to relieve the camper load at Fish Camp, following the 1965 flood.

Elevation: 9,400 ft (2,900 m).; location: South Country, 36°23′16″N 105°08′36″W

Baldy Town

Baldy Town, at the base of Mount Baldy in Colfax County, New Mexico, was a mining town serving as a base for mining operations on the mountain before mining in the area ceased and the town was abandoned. Among the ruins of the town, at an elevation of 10,000 feet (3,000 m), Philmont now runs a staffed camp and commissary, which includes a trading post and showers. Baldy Town has a living history program interpreting the history of the Baldy Mining District. Its programs include a history of the town and occasionally gold panning. Baldy Town also serves as a common stop on the way up Baldy Mountain, which is the highest on the ranch at an elevation of 12,441 feet (3,792 m).

The land around Baldy Town and Mount Baldy was purchased in 1963 by Norton Clapp, vice-president of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The purchase added 10,098 acres (40.87 km²) to Philmont Scout Ranch.[25]

Beaubien

Located at the northerly end of wooded Bonita Canyon, Beaubien is the hub of the South Country. Virtually all treks that route through the South Country come here. Some treks spend a "layover" here – they stay here for two nights allowing for rest and relaxation during their trek. The program features the life of the cowboy, both historical and modern, with horseback rides, branding, a chuckwagon dinner partially prepared by the staff, and a western campfire. Many campers choose to brand their hiking boots, belts, and other brandable articles with either the Slash Crazy S and/or the Bar P Crazy S brands of Philmont. Beaubien is named in honor of Carlos Beaubien who, along with Guadalupe Miranda, owned the original Mexican land grant of which Philmont is now a part. Beaubien is Philmont's largest camp, with 34 campsites. Named after Charles Beaubien who was a French Canadian trapper who deeded a tract of land with Guadalupe Miranda that ended up being over 1,000,000 acres. Beaubien camp was known as Rincon Bonito in the 1940s.

Elevation: 9,330 ft (2,840 m).[26]

Black Mountain

Black Mountain is at the site of a cabin used by Samuel Matthews in 1897-1898. That same cabin is still used today and its an example of a small homestead that many settlers established on the Maxwell Land Grant. It's one of two staff camps that cannot be reached by vehicle (the other being Crooked Creek). The camp also has a blacksmithing forge, campfire ring, and rifle range. Crews who come here take a step back in time in a way that few other interpretive history camps at Philmont are able to do. The program is a hybrid of homesteading, mining, and early western settlement, set in reconstruction era America. Staff portray the roles of civil war veterans who have come west to carve out new lives, work for the Cimarron Indian Agency, and perhaps begin a settlement. Black-powder shooting skills and blacksmithing are taught in a manner where participants can appreciate the range of skills that were necessary to settle the West. Because this camp is inaccessible to vehicles, the staff must bring provisions in and garbage out of camp on foot. For this reason, staff does not accept garbage from crews. The camp is located along the North Fork Urraca Creek at the southwesterly base of Black Mountain, one of the more prominent peaks on the ranch. Latrines are back-to-back and sit in the open.

Elevation = 9,040 ft (2,760 m); 36°26.58′N 105°05.50′W; water: stream, must be treated

Carson Meadows

Opened in the summer of 2004, Carson Meadows was converted to a staff camp during the summer of 2005 it is the southernmost camp on the Ranch. Located above the Rayado Canyon to the south, it is a short hike from Abreu, turning south at the Old Abreu trail camp. Carson Meadows is situated on a gorgeous meadow surrounded by thick woods. From the cabin there are views of the Tooth of Time, framed by Fowler Mesa to the west and Urraca Mesa to the east. Carson's program is Search & Rescue/Wilderness Medicine.

Chase Cow

Although Chase Cow had been a trail camp before, in 2019 it became a staffed camp in order to replace Dean Cow's program, as the latter had been lost in the 2018 Ute Park Fire. It is located on the Chase Ranch property and utilizes the many natural rock formations for natural rock climbing and bouldering.

Chase Ranch

A staffed camp established in 2014 on a neighboring landowner's property. The program includes lodge tours.(see Chase Ranch)

Cimarroncita

Also known as "Cita", this former girl scout camp was incorporated into Philmont as a staffed camp in the 2021 season. The program includes 3-dimensional archery, hunter safety, and laser shooting range.

Cimarroncito

The hub of the Central Country, also known as "Cito", this camp provides rock climbing and an excellent conservation site. Its conservation staff have been working to restore the meadow to its former state to improve the water table for the village of Cimarron. In 2015, the Conservation Department worked on constructing a new trail through Hidden Valley. Cito contains camper shower facilities and chapel services. Cimarroncito was the location of the Central Country commissary until 1979, when Ute Gulch opened slightly to the north. The old commissary building is now occupied by the indoor climbing gym. Cito has 28 campsites. Originally known as Black Mountain Base Camp. Cimarroncito is spanish for “little wild boy.” Up through 1978, Cimarroncito was also a commissary camp. In 1979 the commissary and trading post was moved to the new camp Ute Gulch. After the Ute Park fire in 2018 and the closure of Ute Gulch, Cimarroncito is once again functioning as a commissary camp.

Clarks Fork

A living history camp, interpreting the life of the western cowboy, with programming such as horseback rides, branding, chuckwagon dinners and a western campfire. A very busy camp and typically gets extremely crowded with crews moving in both directions. The camp also contains a steer-roping practice area and two sets of horseshoe pits. Due to its proximity to Philmont's base camp and its function as a funnel for crews finishing their treks via the Tooth of Time, Clarks is a large and busy camp. For dinner, Scouts and leaders are served a "chuckwagon" beef stew, a signature of Philmont. Many crews take trail rides on the camps horses. Rides can be reserved in advance by crew leaders. Clarks Fork is a place to get belts, boots and other gear branded with the Philmont horse brand or cattle brand.

Elevation: 7,530 ft (2,300 m); Sites: 21; 36°28′07″N 105°02′54″W; water: in-camp spigots; facilities: showers; program: Western Lore, Horse Rides, Chuckwagon Dinner.

Clear Creek

This camp features the history of the fur trade prior to 1840. Program includes loading and shooting muzzleloading black-powder rifles, a demonstration of beaver trapping techniques, tomahawk throwing, and a talk on the history of the North American fur trade and examination of artifacts in the "trappers cabin". Evening activities consist of the telling of "yarns", or folklore tales from the days of the fur trade. At approximately 10,200 feet (3,100 m), Clear Creek is the highest staffed camp on the ranch. Cold, wet weather (even snow) is not uncommon during the summer months at this elevation. Clear Creek is located near the headwaters of the Rayado River and is named after the original name of Mount Phillips, Clear Creek Mountain. The actual Clear Creek flows off of the north side of Mount Phillips within the Cimarron Canyon Wildlife Area. It was the first interpretive staff camp at Philmont.

Crater Lake

This camp sits on a large incline above 8000 feet on the eastern slopes of Fowler Pass between Fowler Mesa and Trail Peak. The theme of the camp is early 20th century logging, and staff portray the historical Continental Tie and Lumber Company, which operated to the north in the Ponil Canyons. Activities include spar pole climbing and hand-hewn railroad tie construction. The staff also hosts a campfire with a clear view of the Tooth of Time. The lake more closely resembles a pond and is not actually located in a crater. It was formed by a rock slide from the slopes of Fowler Mesa which created a natural bowl fed by a spring. Waite Phillips used Crater Lake as a pack station for his trips to Rayado Lodge (Fish Camp). It has been a staff camp since 1947.

Elevation: 8,398 ft (2,560 m).[26]

Crooked Creek

One of the more primitive staffed camps, Crooked Creek is similar to Black Mountain in that it is not accessible by vehicle. The camp is located on the edge of a large, high meadow and features programs related to the life of the homesteader. Originally a staffed camp, Crooked Creek became a trail camp until 1990, when homesteading was added to Philmont's interpretive history camps. In 1990, Crooked Creek was among the first camps (along with Cimmaroncito and Abreu) in Philmont's history to feature coed staff. Like many other of Philmont's interpretive history camps, the staff live as primitively as the life they portray. Set in the year 1875, Crooked portrays a homesteading family making a living on a small portion of the Maxwell Land Grant. Named Crooked Creek because it lies next to an area of the Rayado Creek that bends. Crooked Creek was a trail camp until 1990 when the Homesteading program was introduced. It is one of two staff camps that cannot be reached by vehicle.

Cypher's Mine

This camp is located along the upper reaches of the North Fork Cimarroncito River. The program revolves around gold and other "hard rock" mining that historically occurred in the area. The program highlight is touring of the Contention mine, a small prospect mine within the camp. Other program activities include Blacksmithing and gold panning. The camp is named in honor of Charlie Cyphers who was a manager for the Colorado Consolidated Verde Mining and Milling Company. Cypher's Mine is one of the two camps on the ranch where crews do not pitch tents at their campsites(The other being French Henry). Due to the narrow, rocky canyon in which the camp is located, campsites contain three-walled roofed structures officially referred to as "adirondacks". Local camp vernacular for them, however, is "muck shacks". A variety of original structures and artifacts from the mining days of the late 19th century are featured at this camp. Cypher's Mine features an evening musical program called a "Stomp" inside one of the old structures, modeled after the evening revelry of miners. “Charlie's Cabin” is still used every evening for the “stomp.”

Dan Beard

Located in the burn zone from the 2002 Ponil Complex Fire, Dan Beard is a home to a challenge course similar to those found at Urraca and Head of Dean. First used as a staff camp in 1969, the program was Dutch oven cooking. The camp closed and used as a trail camp until 1989, when the current program was started. The program is designed to teach teamwork and critical thinking skills within a group. In 2006, Dan Beard received a new challenge course wall and new campsites to replace those lost in the fire. Three sites are located a short hike up a hill in the canyon, while the rest of the camp sites are nestled in the hills behind the challenge course. During the summer 2011 season, the Dan Beard staff also included a nightly yoga program. Named after Bob Dean, a one-time cattle foreman in the area.

Elevation: 7,990 ft (2,440 m); location 36°40′42″N 105°05′15″W.

Fish Camp

In 1908, George H. Webster (for which Webster Pass is named after) built a cabin for the use of his Urraca Ranch. Waite Phillips then used this location for his fishing lodge which he called the Rayado lodge. Formerly known as Rayado Lodge, Fish Camp is the site of the three original hunting and fishing lodges of Waite Phillips, located in the South Country. The camp is interpretive, set in the year 1927, and features lodge tours, fly tying, and fly fishing. Fish Camp is notable as one of Waite Phillips's "favorite spots on the Ranch," according to son Chope who used to visit every year until he passed away in 2015.[27]

Elevation: 8,564 ft (2,610 m).[26]

French Henry

Located in a deep, narrow canyon just below Baldy Mountain, French Henry features programs revolving around the rich mining history of the Baldy country. Gold panning, blacksmithing, a mining history museum, and a tour of a small portion of the massive Aztec mine are featured here. The mine tour is in an access drift within the Ponil 1 drift of the Aztec Mine complex, which at its height contained over 80 miles (130 km) of tunnels and other workings. The main part of this camp contains the foundations of an old ore mill from the French Henry mine. This is one of the only places on Philmont where crews can consistently find actual gold in their pans. The camp contains two original structures built in between the 1860s and the 1920. The oldest serves as a mining museum while the other serves as the main cabin. Numerous artifacts from the mining operations in the area are displayed, as well as geologic maps of the Baldy country. The last building was built by Philmont and serves as sleeping quarters for the staff. French Henry is one of the camps on the ranch where crews do not pitch tents at their campsites due to the narrow, rocky canyon in which the camp is located. Campsites contain small three-walled roofed structures referred to as "Muck Shacks". Volunteer geologists working with the staff occasionally provide geology talks and gold panning lessons to campers. French Henry is named in honor of Henry Buruel, a Frenchman who mined in the area as early as 1869. Stories of the untimely death of numerous mine workers have led to the rumors that the camp is haunted. Staff often play along by making spooky noises while in the mine, and telling stories about "tommyknockers" to campers.

Elevation: 9,800 ft (3,000 m).; location: North Country, 36°38′10″N 105°11′00″W.

Head of Dean

Head of Dean is a crossroad for much of the North Country, with routes passing through from north, south, east, and west. They run a COPE course and do an evening hike to the Head of Dean as an activity. Head of Dean's name is derived from its location, situated at the start of Dean Canyon. Head of Dean was originally a staffed camp from 1971 through 1976 with a program of Lumbering and Astronomy. It was a trail camp from 1977 through 1982. It was staffed again in 1983 with its current program.

Elevation 8,840 ft (2,690 m)

Hunting Lodge

Centered on the well-maintained cabin built by Waite Phillips for his many hunting excursions, the Hunting Lodge is located in a busy area of the ranch's central country, and serves as a hub for vehicles and for trekkers passing between Cypher's Mine, Clarks Fork and Cimarroncito. It also serves as a major attraction for the youth participants of the Philmont Training Center. Built in 1926, this is the site of Waite Phillips’ Hunting Lodge. It is also where the original Cimarroncito Base Camp was located. The remains of the old Cimarroncito shower houses, dining hall and cabins can be seen on both sides of the road. The camp was re-opened as a staff camp in 2001 and has been giving lodge tours ever since.

Indian Writings

Indian Writings hosts many petroglyphs on the large rock faces around the camp. There are a few excavation sites and archaeological digs corresponding to these ancient writings, each with their own stories. Campers usually take the hour to an hour and a half tour of the easy-to-reach writings and excavation sites. Crews beginning and ending their trek are the most common, as it is located close to 6-Mile Gate turnaround. Program includes museum tours, tours of the petroglyphs and excavation sites, as well as atlatl throwing. Indian Writings is one of the oldest staff camps on the Ranch, opened in 1939. Indian Writings is named for the Anasazi Native American petroglyphs which exists in this area. It is one of the oldest Philmont camps, first used in 1939 as part of Philturn Rocky Mountain Scout Camp. In the old days, it was referred to as “scribblins,” but now it's called “IW.”

Metcalf Station

One of Philmont's newest staff camps, opened in 2014, Metcalf Station is situated on the former site of the Cimarron & Northwestern Railway, approximately halfway between Indian Writings and Dan Beard. Named for Colfax County Deputy Sheriff William Metcalf who was ambushed during the Settlers War. The program includes railyard blacksmithing and railroad construction, using ties from Crater Lake and Pueblano camps' tie-making programs. The staff performs a music show for campers in the evenings.

Miners Park

This South Country camp is noted for its rock climbing and traverse wall. The camp is built around a large meadow, in which mountain lions may appear to hunt mule deer and other such prey. The program area is arguably the farthest on the ranch from the actual campsites, typically a 30-minute hike up to the rock formation known as "Betty's Bra." The meadow here once served as a Sunday gathering spot for miners and their families in this area. Miners Park has been staffed since 1966

Elevation: 7,977 ft (2,431 m).[26]

Miranda

This North Country camp is home to a large meadow with a black-powder rifle range along with a throwing tomahawk range. The staff portray a mountain man/fur-trappers rendezvous, and display various trappers and traders wares in the cabin and the teepees in the meadow. Miranda is noted for its evening activity, Mountain Ball, a variant of baseball with five bases and two teams in the field at any one time. After Mountain Ball, it is tradition for all participants to yell "We are the finest Mountain Ball players in all the land! Bring us your finest meats and cheeses!" towards Head of Dean camp. As it is uncommon for crews to beat the staff in Mountain Ball, crews that do defeat the staff earn prizes such as pudding or powdered donuts. As with Ponil, campers can pick up and drop off burros at Miranda. Named after Guadalupe Miranda. He and Carlos Beaubien petitioned the Governor of Mexico for the original land grant in 1841. Beaubien recruited Miranda to obtain the land grant because he was a friend of Mexican Governor Manuel Armijo.

Phillips Junction

Established in 1975, this is the South Country hub. The camp features the commissary, a well stocked trading post, showers, latrines, and purified water.. Originally named Porkado, this camp has been used as a commissary since 1974. It changed names to Phillips Junction in 1975 and is commonly referred to as PJ. For many years, burros were used to haul food from PJ to Apache Springs, Clear Creek and Fish Camp. In 1989, an experiment using llamas to make food runs was conducted, but was switched back to burros the following year.

Elevation 8,840 ft (2,690 m).

Ponil

The former base camp for the Philturn Rocky Mountain Scout Camp, Ponil has a commissary and trading post. Ponil is named after the Apache plume, a knee-high bushy plant that has five points, just as five canyons converge at this location. Initially, Ponil was referred to as "5 points." Ponil provides camping and a Western Lore program. Western Lore program includes: A cantina, cantina show, chuckwagon dinner and breakfast, lassoing, branding, horse shoes, and Cowboy Action Shooting. Cowboy Action Shooting involves Colt Single Action Army replica revolvers, Winchester Model 1892 replicas, and double-barrel shotguns. Crews can also learn from the wrangler staff how to pack burros, and then take them along with them until they reach Miranda. There is a fifty pound weight limit for how much the burros can carry, which typically is equal to three days of trail meals. Many crews also take horseback/dude rides here, in which the wrangler staff take campers on a scenic ride of the forest and surrounding area. Ponil is the starting and ending location for many North Country Cavalcades, where instead of backpacking for 10 days, a crew rides horses from camp to camp along a set itinerary.

Elevation: 7,050 ft (2,150 m).; location: North Country, 36°37′56″N 105°00′07″W

Pueblano

Set in 1914 as a logging camp of the Continental Tie and Lumber Company, Pueblano immerses scouts in the ways of the logger. Pueblano is Spanish for “little village” and was originally a part of the Philturn Rocky Mountain Scout Camp. This is where the Continental Tie and Lumber Company was started in 1907 to make railroad ties and timber for mines from the trees in the Ponil Canyons. Their program offers scouts the opportunity to spar-pole climb, as well as teaching them how to use period tools in creating their own hand-hewn railroad ties, which are used at Metcalf Station. In the evening, Scouts play "Loggerball" and attend the Company Meeting. Loggerball is a game similar to baseball, but played with slightly modified rules and played on a sandlot style field. The teams are either the Loggers, also known as the South Ponil Log Dogs, vs Campers or the teams are split up evenly. The Company Meeting is a campfire style show featuring period songs and stories.

Elevation: 8,100 ft (2,500 m).; location: North Country, 36°37′30″N 105°06′51″W.

Rayado

Located on the first permanent settlement of the Beaubien-Miranda Land Grant. It was the site picked by Lucien Maxwell the late 1840s and Kit Carson lived here from 1849-1851. Rayado currently means “striped” in Spanish, but formerly meant “line” -- as in boundary line. It was used as a base camp in 1947 and at the time was called Carson-Maxwell or Car-Max. Located 7 miles (usually traveled by bus) from base camp, Rayado features a replica 1860s hacienda once owned by mountain man Kit Carson. Program includes interactive tour of the Kit Carson Museum, demonstrations of blacksmithing, woodworking, cooking, or tomahawk throwing. Situated on Highway 21, this is one of the few areas of Philmont open to the public.

Rich Cabins

Rich Cabins is located outside Philmont boundaries, on Ted Turner's Vermejo Park Ranch. The Rich family lived at this location from the late 1880s to the 1920s. Named after the five Rich brothers, who originally came from Austria in the 1890s. They bought the land from Timothy Ring of Ring Place and used it for ranching. The heart brand that they used was later purchased by the Chase Ranch. The camp's program is focused on homesteading, with activities including historical cabin tours, gardening, milking goats, milking cows, shoveling manure, tending to the burros, and various other projects that the staff may be working on to improve the camp. Rich Cabins also has a commissary. Staff perform a musical variety show for campers in the evenings.

Ring Place

Ring Place is located off-ranch in the Valle Vidal, on the site of Timothy Ring's homestead. Named after Timothy Ring, a one-armed Civil War veteran pioneer homesteader. Ring purchased the 320 acre ranch on the Maxwell Land Grant in 1890 for $960. Program at Ring involves meteorology, astronomy, commissary services, and history lessons about the Valle Vidal. Campers can learn how to construct rudimentary weather equipment such as manometers, anemometers, and barometers, as well as learning about local weather patterns. At night, staff offer participants a chance to use the camp's 19 inch Newtonian telescope to view stars, planets, nebulae, globular clusters, and even galaxies. Campers often elect to hike to Whiteman Vega for mountain bike program during the day. Ring Place is located on Forest Road 1950, and is accessible to the general public whenever the Valle Vidal is open to visitors. This program was originally located at Santa Claus until 1992, when the camp was closed due to the well drying up.

Santa Claus

Santa Claus's program is primarily reloading and shooting 12-gauge shotgun shells. Santa Claus was reinstated to staffed camp status in the 2019 season, following the 2018 Ute Park Fire which made it impossible to use Harlan for program. Santa Claus was a staffed camp through 1996 with an astronomy program. One of the main reasons it closed was because the well stopped pumping enough water to sustain a full staff. The area suffered during the 2002 Ponil Complex fire, though the abandoned cabin still stands. In 2000, lightning struck one of the bear cables and the bear bags on the line exploded, leaving the trees charred from where the bear cables were attached.

Sawmill

Sawmill has a wood-fired boiler for hot showers as well as a commissary and a program focused on high-powered rifle shooting. The name comes from a logging operation that once logged in this canyon before Waite Phillips purchased the property.

Urraca

Urraca is situated on the north side of Urraca Mesa with a view to the North, looking toward Base Camp. The camp program includes a challenge course like Dan Beard or Head of Dean. These activities designed to help instill a sense of teamwork within the crew while teaching them to be willing and ready to think outside the box. Spanish for “magpie”, a large black and white bird that is frequently seen around the area. It became a staff camp in 1969 and has featured astronomy, rock climbing, bow hunting, survival and search and rescue before becoming a challenge course camp. Campsites are neatly separated from the program area and sited along a hillside in the ponderosa pines next to a meadow. Most crews arrive at Urraca after the grueling climb up and over the mesa. Legend holds that Urraca Mesa is haunted, with tales ranging from eerie blue lights to "imps" running around at night. Crews crossing the mesa might encounter some cattle.

Whiteman Vega

A Valle Vidal camp. Whiteman Vega is situated in a large grassy meadow, with views of Baldy Mountain and Little Costilla. Staff at Whiteman offer a mountain bike riding program on the only official trail in the Valle. Whiteman Vega is Philmont's only camp to offer this program. Named after Donald Whiteman.

Campers and hikers initially obtain camping food from the services building at Base Camp. Commissaries at Philmont are usually a small warehouse that is stocked weekly with trail food for campers, groceries for backcountry staff, and various other supplies. Some commissaries include a trading post that sells a small variety of odds and ends, including postcards, postage, and games, along with repair kits, white gas for crews' stoves, and other backpacking necessities. To limit the quantity and weight of consumables carried by a crew, most crews stop at a commissary every 3–4 days to replenish their food supplies. Commissaries are located at Baldy Town, Phillips Junction, Ute Gulch, Ponil, Apache Springs, Rich Cabins, Ring Place, and Miners Park.[32]

The Kit Carson Museum is a living museum that operates in the summer in Rayado, located 7 miles (11 km) south of Philmont's headquarters.[33] Interpreters demonstrate 1850s period frontier skills and crafts including blacksmithing, cooking, shooting and farming. The museum also features exhibits about frontiersmen Kit Carson and Lucien Maxwell who founded a colony at Rayado.

Starting Nov. 1, 2013, Philmont Scout Ranch started running the adjacent Chase Ranch. The ranch is near the Ponil Creek, a mile north of the Cimarron River. Chase Ranch, like Philmont, is a working cattle ranch with Herefords, that were introduced to the ranch in 1883.

Gretchen Sammis Chase started Chase Ranch Foundation with the goal of educating young people in the ranching experience.[34]

Philmont has a Protestant, Catholic, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Jewish Chapel at the Camping Headquarters. There is an interfaith chapel at the Philmont Training Center.[35] There are also several chapels in the backcountry.

In the Rayado campground, Philmont has the Chapel of the Holy Child, on the east side of State Road 21 in the old town of Rayado, New Mexico.[36][37]

National Scouting Museum - Philmont Scout Ranch

In 2018, the National Scouting Museum opened at Philmont.[38]

The National Scouting Museum features exhibits about the Boy Scouts of America, Philmont history, and the history, art, and natural history of the area.[39]

Housed within the National Scouting Museum, the Seton Memorial Library contains the library, personal art, and natural history collections of a co-founder of the Boy Scouts of America, Ernest Thompson Seton. This research library contains Seton's personal collection and an extensive collection of volumes pertaining to western lore and the history of the area.

An individual camper award is presented by their adult adviser when they have:[40][41]

• Attended opening campfire--"The New Mexico Story."
• Completed a Philmont-approved itinerary with your crew.
• Completed three hours of staff supervised conservation work or a camp improvement project on Philmont and took advantage of every opportunity to learn about and improve our ecology, and practiced the art of outdoor living in ways that minimize pollution of soil, water, and air.
• Fulfilled the personal commitment to the Wilderness Pledge.
• Lived the Scout Oath and Law

All Philmont itineraries can qualify crew members for the 50-Miler Award as it relates to distance. 3 of the 10 required service hours must be done at Philmont. Even if the award's requirements are completed at Philmont, the unit's leader must file an application for the group at their local council's service center.[42]

The "We All Made It" plaque (WAMI Award) is an award presented by Philmont to each crew (leader) that:[40]

• Demonstrated good camping practices and Scouting spirit.
• Followed an approved itinerary and camped only when scheduled.
• Fulfilled the commitment to the Wilderness Pledge.
• Took advantage of every opportunity to learn about and improve our ecology, and practiced the art of outdoor living in ways that minimize pollution of soil, water, and air.

Philmont has asked each participant to sign the Philmont Wilderness Pledge which declares that he or she will do everything possible to preserve the beauty and wonder of the Philmont Wilderness and neighboring properties through good Scout Camping. Youth Crew members and adults are eligible to participate in the program.

The Wilderness Pledge includes Ranger-led training in all Philmont camping practices, including Leave No Trace, information on Philmont bear and wildlife procedures, daily discussions on the trail that focus on each of the seven principles of Leave No Trace, and to give three hours of conservation work under the direction of a member of the Philmont Staff. (This requirement is also one of the requirements to earn the Philmont Arrowhead Patch. These hours count for both awards.)[43]

Philmont Duty to God patch

Under the guidance of a crew chaplain's aide, each participant in a trek may work to fulfill the requirements of the Duty to God Award. Requirements include attendance at a religious service, participation in at least three daily devotionals and leading Grace before a meal.[44]

"Silver dollar" patch used in the 1950s

The "P", "Dollar", or "Silver Dollar" patch set was available from 1942 through 1956. The full set consisted of the base round "P" Philmont patch ringed by six specialty segment awards, plus additional staff and "Mountainman" segments below the ring of segments. The ring segments included a Sportsman segment for shooting field sports, a Camper (black pot) segment for woods housekeeping (precursor to Leave No Trace), a Horseman yellow spur segment, a beaver lodge Conservation segment, and Woodsman and Naturalist segments. Below that ring was the coveted Mountainman award for those who completed multiple requirements while attending for three years, and who "have proven themselves to be in love with the out-of-doors".[45]

The "Philmont Hymn" is the ranch's official song and was written by John Benton Westfall (1928-May 9, 2009) in 1947 when he was 19. Westfall was the lone staffer at Visto Grande (then called Cimarron Bench Camp) at the time. Westfall, who at the time was a student at Pittsburg State University wrote the song on a trip home to Kansas on a train from Philmont influenced by the "click-click, click-click" of the tracks. He later became a professional Scouter in Iowa, Kansas, and Oklahoma and worked as a salesman for Phillips Petroleum.[46]

Silver on the sage,
Starlit skies above,
Aspen-covered hills,
Country that I love.

Philmont, here's to thee,
Scouting paradise,
Out in God's country,
Tonight.

Wind in whispering pines,
Eagle soaring high,
Purple mountains rise,
Against an azure sky.

Philmont, here's to thee,
Scouting paradise,
Out in God's country,
Tonight.

The "Philmont Grace" (also known as the Worth Ranch Grace or simply the Wilderness Grace) is a prayer recited before meals at many Boy Scout camps and events around the U.S. It was originally written in 1929 by A. J. Fulkerson, Camp Director at Worth Ranch Scout Camp in Palo Pinto County, Texas.[47]

The version of the grace, as it is used at Philmont, is:

For food, for raiment,
For life, for opportunity,
For friendship and fellowship,
We thank Thee, O Lord. Amen.

On June 25, 1960, a Fujita scale F0 tornado swept through Philmont's base camp area, downing about 300 tents located on a flat near Ranch Headquarters and depositing camping gear over Tooth of Time Ridge. Four 1960 National Jamboree troops from New Mexico—Troops 78, 79, 80 and 82—had gathered at Philmont for a shakedown camp. Three other New Mexico troops had gone to Camp Zia for their shakedown. The troops each had 32 boys, two Assistant Scoutmasters and one Scoutmaster. Troops were camping in wall tents which they had decorated before going to the Jamboree. Each wall tent had a wooden frame with a thick wooden roof pole for support. The boys were learning how to cook over charcoal fires and the fires had just been started for the evening meal. The twister arrived without warning. As the wind suddenly increased, boys ran to secure the tents, but to no avail. The winds swept up tents, fires, men and boys, rolling nearby automobiles and leveling the camp. Injuries included broken bones, blunt force injuries from flying debris—including shattered roof poles—and burns from charcoal fires and equipment ignited by the fires. The twister also leveled a nearly completed cinder block chapel. After the passage of the storm, gear and equipment could be seen in the funnel cloud as it left the area. Camping equipment was found as far as 14 miles away from the campsite and was recovered by ranch hands. Boys were housed for the night in other facilities, and the next day boys passed among piles of recovered equipment to reclaim what they could.[48] Although there were no fatalities, 33 Boy Scouts and a Scout leader received injuries.[49]

On June 17, 1965, a large flash flood occurred at Philmont. Heavy rain throughout the area caused waters in Rayado Canyon and the Cimarron River to rise to extreme levels;[50] up to 12.42 feet at the highest.[51] After June 17, water levels gradually decreased over the course of several days.[52] The impacts of the flood included the destruction of several campsites[50] and the loss of many old photographs and documents kept at Philmont,[53] however no injuries or deaths resulted from the flood.[54] The flood occurred during an El Niño year.[55]

The Ponil Complex Fire started on June 2, 2002 and burned until June 17. The burn zone covered 92,000 acres (370 km²) total; 28,000 acres (110 km²) of Philmont, 4,000 acres (16 km²) of the Elliott Barker Wildlife Area, 25,000 acres (100 km²) of the Valle Vidal, 20,000 acres (81 km²) of the WS Ranch and 15,000 acres (61 km²) of the UU Bar Ranch. One third of the burn zone was totally burned while another third was only lightly to moderately burned. About one third of the burn zone escaped relatively unharmed, due to being sections of valleys that the fire jumped over or being not as dried out and likely to burn because of nearby water.[56]

The burn zone is currently revegetating, some areas of which were reseeded while others began recovering naturally.

Staff members clear a trail after the 2015 flash flood

On the morning of June 27, 2015, heavy rain occurred in a great portion of Philmont, causing a flash flood. The flood also affected some other nearby areas in Colfax County that morning, including highways and small towns around Philmont. One youth Scout, Alden Brock, who was situated in a campsite within the staff camp Indian Writings, drowned while being swept away by the flood and died. Brock's death received nationwide attention, especially from the Scouting community.[57]

On May 31, 2018, a wildfire started one mile east of the community Ute Park, New Mexico. The cause remains under investigation. By the morning of June 1, the Ute Park Fire had almost doubled in size to 8,000 acres (32 km²), burning entirely on private land, including Philmont Scout Ranch.[58] Twelve structures at Philmont, all unoccupied and non-residential, were reported as burned.[58] All backcountry treks at Philmont Scout Ranch for the entire 2018 summer season were cancelled,[59] though PTC courses—including the National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience—remained in session.[60] The fire burned a total of 26,000 acres at Philmont, damaging 200 campsites.[61]

On April 17, 2022, a wildfire started 10 miles south of the Kit Carson Museum at Rayado. Heavily impacted areas of the fire include northern Mora County and southern Colfax County. The cause still remains under investigation. Zastrow Cabin, which was located in Philmont's south country, was destroyed. Philmont staff along with wildland firefighter personnel have wrapped the Fish camp Cabin, as well as other buildings within the south country.[62] The fire was largely contained before the season began, allowing crews to proceed with their treks as normal.