Family Programs
The Philmont Training Center offers a full, organized program for every member of the family—from infants to spouses. Family members will be joined by others in their age group and will participate in a carefully designed, age- and ability-specific program under the leadership of trained, experienced staff. Groups are arranged by age:
Babysitting is not available, and child programs are not available at other times. If both parents are taking a conference, the demands of the conference schedule may make for some difficulties. It is not recommended that parents of Nursery or Small Fry children both enroll in conferences because these ages are "parent-intensive."
Children must participate in the family programs or be under the supervision of a parent and may not attend conference sessions with a parent. Children who are ill are returned to their parents. Disruptive behavior is not tolerated. Children who are disruptive are removed from the program. If poor behavior continues, parents are asked to remove their child from the premises.
Family groups may be combined if registration is low, or split further if registration is high. Schedules may vary due to group size, weather, or other factors at Philmont.
Some spending money, canteens or water bottles, rain gear, and a day pack large enough to hold all their gear will be needed for each person participating in family program activities.
Each family program group will participate in activities designed with the age and ability of the family member in mind.
A nursery is in the Small Fry Center, and parents may leave their children during family program times. They may be left for an hour or two, or for the entire morning or afternoon as determined by your group or conference schedule. Care is provided according to your instructions.
Parents of Nursery-age children need to send all essential items (bottles, sweaters, diapers, etc.) with their children. Labels should be placed on these items with their name and your tent city and tent number.
At the Small Fry Center, the staff provides activities, games, pony rides, and supervised play during the family program times. Parents of Small Fry children need to send all essential items (bottles, sweaters, diapers, etc.) with their children. Labels should be placed on these items with their name and your name.
These groups participate in nature hikes, picnics, pony rides, lawn games, songs and skits, day hikes, sports, museum tours, and handicrafts. During weeks of low attendance, the Cowgirls and Cowpokes may be merged to form a group we call the "Bandits."
Activities for Deputies include hiking, Villa Philmonte and museum tours, archery, pony rides, air rifle shooting, sports, nature hikes, games, and crafts.
Sidewinders enjoy hiking, archery, air rifle shooting, sports, handicrafts, nature hikes, Villa Philmonte and museum tours, and a parent-child overnighter. The overnighter is just for the Sidewinder and a parent.
Mustangs participate in Villa Philmonte and museum tours, hikes, field sports, handicraft projects, nature activities, a horse ride*, outdoor cooking, games, and an overnighter.
Mustangs must have a Philmont or BSA "Level A" medical form signed by a physician within the past 12 months and must bring the equipment listed for overnight hikes.
* Horse rides are controlled trail rides. Riders must have an inseam of at least 26 inches, must weigh less than 200 pounds, and must wear a helmet at all times.
Trailblazers will enjoy a schedule of activities that varies from week to week. The Boy Scout program may include day hikes, one or more overnighters in Philmont's backcountry, a horse ride*, nature activities and games, archery, air rifle shooting, and handicrafts.
Trailblazers must have a Philmont or BSA Level A medical form signed by a physician within the past 12 months and must bring the equipment listed for overnight hikes.
* Horse rides are controlled trail rides. Riders must have an inseam of at least 26 inches, must weigh less than 200 pounds, and must wear a helmet at all times.
Broncos is a program for teenage family members who choose not to participate in the Mountain Trek. Broncos stay at PTC with their family, but enjoy a week of activities built around participation in Philmont's COPE course (a team-building, ropes course experience), day hikes, a horse ride, and an overnighter.
Be sure to notify the Training Center if your teenager will be in the Los Jovenes group or the Mountain Trek program. It relates to housing assignments in the tent cities.
Mountain Men and Mountain Women treks are backpacking expeditions that provide the opportunity to experience the rugged challenges of Philmont's Sangre de Cristo mountains. Mountain Trek crews hike 20 to 30 miles into the backcountry, where participants stay at several camps that offer a variety of exciting programs, along with time to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Philmont.
The Mountain Trek program is for young men and women who are 14 years old, but not yet 21. All Mountain Trek participants must complete and return the Mountain Trek application included in the participant's packet. Participants are organized into male or female crews and are placed under the supervision of two of Philmont's highly qualified Rangers.
On Sunday afternoon, Mountain Trek participants check in at the Philmont Training Center and meet at 2 P.M. prepared to leave for the trek. After a short orientation meeting with the Mountain Trek Rangers, the participants are divided into crews based on their age and ability and prepare for departure into the backcountry. Participants return Saturday morning after breakfast.
A Philmont Health and Medical Record (signed by a physician within the past 12 months and the parent or guardian) is required. Philmont provides crew gear, but you will need the personal gear listed on the Mountain Trek equipment list.
Note: the Mountain Trek program is not available during the first week of summer conferences.
Wives, husbands, and other adult family members find that a wide range of activities are planned that may include museum visits, local history, Indian arts programs, pottery-making demonstrations, guided nature walks and programs, Villa Philmonte tours, trips to nearby towns, COPE, and fishing. Silverados carpool to any hike or activity away from PTC.
An extensive day-hiking program is available Silverados. Hikes range from an easy one-mile nature walk to somewhat strenuous all-day hikes of three to eight miles. Possible hiking destinations include Abreu Camp, Lover's Leap, Cathedral and Window Rock, Carson Meadows, Zastrow Camp, Urraca Trail, and others.