What is the Class A uniform for the Colorado tour?
Class A uniform is an unofficial term for the Official BSA Uniform which, as described in the Crew Member Guide's "Uniform Fact Sheet", consists of a BSA shirt with Patriots' Path Philmont Council Patch, a BSA belt, BSA pants (short or long, your choice), BSA socks (again short or long, your choice), boots, and a hat. A neckerchief is not required.
Is each crew member having 2 full Class “A” uniforms a requirement, or only a recommendation?
All members of Patriots’ Path Philmont contingents must be in the Official BSA Uniform (Class A) for all Advisor Briefings, the Watchu Mountain Adventure in May, while traveling, throughout the Colorado tour, and the first and last days at Philmont in Base Camp. Two uniforms are recommended for this but are not required.
How much spending money should a youth crew member be given for the Colorado tour and Philmont?
There is no set rule, though generally youth bring between $50 and $100 from home. Choosing a value should be a family decision. Naturally they will want to purchase souvenirs during the trip and occasional snacks. They will not need money for touring or meals while in Colorado and New Mexico since that is included in the fees that have been paid.
What items need to be packed for the Colorado tour?
Click for a complete list of items to be packed in your Watchu Expedition Tour (Carry-on) Bag.
What are the sleeping arrangements while on tour in Colorado?
Crews will be staying in a hotel in the Colorado Springs area. Typical arrangements are four to a room for youth, with Youth Protection rules followed.
Is there any free time while touring Colorado?
Free time will be very limited due to the jammed-packed schedule of activities planned. There is some time after dinner each night.
Is time available to call home while touring Colorado?
There are plenty of opportunities to call home while touring Colorado.
Does the requirement for Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat training apply to all members of the crew, or just the advisors?
The rules come right out of the BSA Guide to Safe Scouting and apply to the advisors. The Aquatics Safety section states a minimum of one adult leader must complete Safe Swim Defense training, carry the card and agree to use the defenses. Safety Afloat states that before a scout group may engage in a trip on the water, adult leaders must complete Safety Afloat training, carry the card and be dedicated to full compliance of the points for safety. As with all training, exceeding the minimum number of trained participants is strongly recommended.
Is any special equipment or clothing needed for the whitewater rafting trip?
Not really, as items of Philmont trail clothes are suitable for the whitewater rafting trip. Hiking shorts and a T-shirt are suitable, though most people wear a swimsuit. If it’s cloudy and the crew member is on the “thin-blooded” side, a long sleeve poly shirt or light fleece would be appropriate. Rafting “booties” are provided to protect your feet, and wetsuits will be provided if the water is unusually cold (normally they are not needed, and can be uncomfortably warm). Of course, wearers of glasses or sunglasses will need a retainer to keep them on. A small camp towel is good enough to wipe down with after the rafting adventure, and even that probably is not needed on the typical dry day. All clothes worn on the river will dry quickly after the rafting trip.
How should crew advisors manage the Philmont Medical Forms for crew members when traveling to Philmont?
The lead advisor should have copies of all medical forms in a notebook, as should one other advisor. Each scout should have a copy of their own form in a ziplock bag at the bottom of their backpack.
How many days and nights is a crew actually on the trail versus while they are touring?
The Patriots’ Path contingents spend two days and two nights traveling to and touring southern Colorado. On the third day, the contingents will travel to Philmont, which is considered Philmont Day 1. They will spend the night in Base Camp and then 11 days and 10 nights in the backcountry. On Philmont Day 12 they will return to Base Camp and spend the night. All crews will travel back to New Jersey the following day. The entire trip is a total of fifteen days – three traveling/touring and twelve at Philmont.
How long is the bus ride from Colorado Springs to Philmont?
Travel time is approximately 3.5 hours without a stop and depends on traffic and weather conditions. Plan on an early departure from Colorado Springs and reaching Philmont about 9:15 a.m.