Topic
Philmont treks, Northern Tier canoe routes, Sea Base sailing and The Summit. Crews came home with stories, gear lists and training plans, and wrote them all down.
567 posts · 2008–2020
A reading list that spans blogs and years.
I am missing Philmont and starting to think it is time to go back to Scouting's paradise. Here is a short excerpt from my 1992 Philmont journal: Harlan Camp is a welcome site. My right foot has just joined the left in protest.
As you all know I love Philmont. I found this poem on the internet. It is penned by author James Roberts. As I read the poem it took me back… back to the Silver on the Sage, the Country that I love..
Click to view slideshow. For the last nine years every summer our Scouts pile into a van and drive north to Ontario's Algonquin Provincial Park for a week-long high adventure canoe trip. Our crews typically cover 40-50 miles of paddling and portaging during our stay.
As recounted by Jackie Freeman (adult leader, trek 813 E 1991): Day 6. [Aug. 18] The most ridiculous and frustrating day of all. We woke up and cleaned up camp quickly since there was no breakfast. One advantage. Went down the trail past the staff cabin and up to the corral for horseback riding.
Joseph Elfelt wrote to us at the U.S. Scouting Service Project and asked whether we could mention his new Gmap4 topographical maps on our site. I took a look at his topographical mapping tool and was instantly impressed with what it can do.
OK. I'm back. It's been a hectic summer. Lots of stuff going on. I'm trying to catch up but its been tough. Troop 26 tried a new summer camp this summer. Camp Pioneer in Mena Arkansas. Everybody had a great time.
Why are you here and what do you expect to get out of this course?" That's a pretty different way to kick off a BSA training course. Truth is, I signed up for the Philmont Leadership Challenge after learning these five things: It was at Philmont It builds upon the training you receive during Wood…
The two crews returned from Philmont just two weeks ago. The pictures look great. The stories are funny. The blisters are healing. OK, guys, time to sign up for Philmont, 2013. WHAT, we just got home!!!!! Troops can attend a BSA high adventure base every two years, at most.
February 2020 Time to make: 4 hours Finishing: 2 hour Original design: Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown It occurs to me that I now have more Philmont neckerchief slides than I have weeks to go before I leave. (And, I have more designs I'm working on.)
The following is an excerpt from the journal I kept during my Boy Scout troop's trek through Philmont Scout Ranch in 1986: Ute Springs Camp was the smallest of the various camps at which we stayed. The site we chose was quite small.
Showing 1–50 of 567 posts
A Scout from Troop 215 of the Great Trail Council views Norman Rockwell paintings at the Medici Museum of Art. (Photo courtesy of Medici Museum of Art) From his ode to heroic volunteers in “The Scoutmaster” to his slice-of-life depiction of a lakeside Scout camp in “Come and Get It,” Norman Rockwell spent decades capturing…
Imagine being there in the early 1930s when James E. West, E. Urner Goodman and other BSA founders were planning the first National Jamboree. That first national Scouting event — originally scheduled for 1935 but delayed to 1937 because of the polio outbreak — ignited a tradition that has taken this quadrennial celebration from the National Mall…
December 2020 Time to make: 2 hours Finishing: 1 hour Original design: Philmont / Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont 2022 Countdown Calling all Philmont alums! Want to experience Philmont again while giving back? Well bucko saddle up and join the "Volunteer Vacation" .
Decorating Christmas trees can do more than raise spirits. It can raise money, too. For the Wonderland of Trees event last month, the Summit Bechtel Reserve decked its halls, showed off its breathtaking views and helped the United Way of Southern West Virginia rebound during a difficult year.
November 2020 Time to make: 3 hours Finishing: 1 hour Original design: Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont 2022 Countdown When camping in bear country, or other critters, one method of food storage is "bear bags". In Philmont this is the only acceptable method of food storage.
November 2020 Time to make: 3 hours Finishing: 1 hour Original design: Philmont / Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont 2022 Countdown When I've thought about Philmont, I never thought there were buffalo there but I was wrong. It turn out there is a herd of about 150 +.
The COVID-19 pandemic closed Philmont Scout Ranch this past summer, but the high-adventure base is ready for its biggest season in 2021 with new construction of trail camps, trails, staffed program areas and other infrastructure, which will allow Philmont to enhance its already mitigated environmental impact practices to an even higher level.
Skateboarding, whitewater rafting, shooting sports, rock climbing — you can do it all at the Paul R. Christen National High Adventure Base at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. Scouts can select world-class action sports or take a trek in and around the majestic New River Gorge National River.
Nearly 100 years ago, Scouts made their first treks into the wilderness on the Minnesota-Canada border. You can register for special Northern Tier High Adventure treks in 2022, celebrating the Minnesota base’s 100th anniversary . Canoeing and fishing is a major part of the Northern Tier National High Adventure program during the summer, while Scouts can…
Ahoy! Adventures await at the Sea Base . Sea Base, stationed in the Florida Keys, operates 19 different programs in the Bahamas, Dry Tortugas, Florida Keys and U.S. Virgin Islands. Scouts can choose to camp, paddle, sail, scuba-dive or participate in multi-adventure or a STEM adventure.
The BSA’s Outdoor Adventures team is gearing up to welcome Scouts and Scouters to high-adventure bases for the 2021-2022 seasons. To help you manage registering for these life-changing experiences, you can log on to a new Find Your Adventure info portal .
September 2020 Time to make: 3 hours Finishing: 1 hour Original design: Philmont / Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont 2022 Countdown Another in my Philmont concept series! While Philmont Scout Ranch is a number of things from training to special events, it is probably best known for the treks.
October 2020 Time to make: 1 hours Finishing: 2 hour Original design: Wagion Lodge 6 / Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont 2022 Countdown The bull has long been a symbol of Philmont and this was an early representation in a 1954 patch from the Wagion Lodge 6 (Order of the Arrow) from West Moreland and Fayette…
September 2020 Time to make: 2 hours Finishing: 1 hour Original design: Philmont/Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont 2022 Countdown Well, back on the horse counting down the days till our council's next Philmont attempt and I guess I can go back to publishing Philmont slides on a irregular schedule instead of cramming them all into…
Every two years, Scouters from across the country meet to learn the latest in best aquatics practices. In the past, the BSA’s National Aquatics Conference has been held at the Florida Sea Base . This fall, it was slated take place at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia.
Please join us in congratulating Owen McCulloch, who will serve as Scout executive of the Yocona Area Council in Tupelo, Mississippi, effective October 1, 2020. Owen began his Scouting career in 1993 as an exploring executive at the Cascade Pacific Council in Portland, Oregon.
July 2020 Time to make: 3 hours Finishing: 1 hour Original design: Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont 2022 Countdown Today is the day! (That was till Covid-19 reared it's ugly head) So, my pack is unpacked and I'm back in prep mode for Trek 7-11C in 2022.
They’re leaders in their cities, in their businesses, in their faith communities and in Scouting. This year’s Silver Buffalo Award class combined has given more than 400 years of service to Scouting. These outstanding men and women join a long list of distinguished adult leaders dating back nearly 100 years.
June 2020 Time to make: 1 hours Finishing: 1 hour Original design: Philmont\Bill Macfarlane DAYS TO PHILMONT 2020 Cancelled I have no words to express my disappointment. Let's hope 2021 treks go off without a hitch Update June 4th, 2020: All treks to Philmont have been cancelled for the 2020 season.
May 2020 Time to make: 1 hours Finishing: 1 hour Original design: Philmont\Bill Macfarlane DAYS TO PHILMONT 2020 Cancelled Tonight is the night before our crews learns about our 2020 fate. If the decision to cancel July treks, for safety sake, it will be a disappointment for some and we just have to wait for…
May 2020 Time to make: 2.5 hours Finishing: 1.5 hours Original design: Philmont\Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown This is another one of my favorate designs combining several of the elements (Tooths of Time, Arrowhead, and Zita) found in Philmont logos.
The summer of 2020 in Scouting is shaping up to be very different from any other summer we’ve experienced in our lifetimes. With personal protection and social distancing the current norms, a lot of the activities that Scouts enjoy either cannot happen or need to be modified substantially.
After a few weeks of using video teleconference technology from home, the novelty of seeing your coworkers in their pajamas or one of their pets jump in their lap while they’re talking has probably worn off. You might be looking for other ways to inject a little fun during these stressful times.
Scouting U will be holding the newly developed FUNDRAISING ESSENTIALS COURSE December 2 – 5, 2020, at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. This course is designed for 3- to 5-year BSA professionals who aspire to strengthen their development skills.
April 2020 Time to make: 2.5 hours Finishing: 2 hours Original design: Philmont\Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown As I've mentioned in an earlier post, I was really confused when I saw patches for Philturn Rockey Mountain Scout Camp . Was this some other councils summer camp?
April 2020 Time to make: 1 hours Finishing: 1 hour Original design: Philmont\Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown The Order of the Arrow Trail Crew work on the trails at Philmont in cheerful service. But it's not all work, there is a comradeship of the members of OA and during the second week at Philmont…
April 2020 Time to make: 1 hour each Finishing: 1 hour Original design: Philmont / Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown One of the symbols you can see in almost every patch, slide or any Philmont item is the brands. Heck, you can even brand something you own like a hat, a belt, a piece of…
March 2020 Time to make: 2 hours Finishing: 2 hour Original design: Philmont\Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown Now I had not seen this flag until I went to a crew training but once I saw it I knew I had to make a slide based on the flag.
March 2020 Time to make: 2 hours Finishing: 2 hour Original design: Philmont / Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown In these days of COVID-19, extended school vacations (closures), work from home, and yes temporary cancelling of Scout meetings and functions, it is important to remember that this to will pass.
March 2020 Time to make: 2 hours Finishing: 2 hour Original design: Philmont / Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown One bright spot that came out of 2018 Philmont experience was the Philmont Recovery Corps . Volunteers coming together with one goal in mind, to help Philmont get past the Ute Park Fire.
March 2020 Time to make: 2 hours Finishing: 1.5 hours Original design: Philmont / Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown Members of our crew were on the ill-fated trek scheduled back in 2018. While it was terrible for them to miss it, I'm grateful to have them and their wisdom along with all of us this…
On land or on the sea, if you want something done, call the Scouts. Scouts at the Florida Sea Base’s Brinton Environmental Center are being recognized by a national nonprofit for their best-in-class efforts to tag dolphinfish, also known as mahi-mahi.
March 2020 Time to make: 2 hours Finishing: 1 hour Original design: Philmont / Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown Here is another Philmont Bull I've seen on patches. I'm not really sure on the origins of this design but I really like how it turned out!
Update, Feb. 29 : Meet the delegates in the video below! Next week’s big news out of Washington likely won’t be covered on cable news. But for those of us who care about the BSA, this will be the top story.
The Glade Creek Grist Mill in West Virginia. Photo by Gary Hartley Amateur photographers know a whole lot happens between point and shoot. Each shooting situation presents a challenge, and the solution involves the right mix of light, color, composition, distance and a captivating subject.
February 2020 Time to make: 3 hours Finishing: 1 hour Original design: Philmont / Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown It is my understanding, the 50th anniversary Philmont training center logo looked like this. I would post a link to the patch but as the patches online are all for sale (ebay, etsy...), there is a…
February 2020 Time to make: 2 hours Finishing: 2 hour Original design: Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown It never occurred to me that Philmont has a winter program ! Here is a great video on the program. Carved from southern yellow pine, this another adaptation from a Philmont patch having many levels.
February 2020 Time to make: 4 hours Finishing: 2 hour Original design: Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown It occurs to me that I now have more Philmont neckerchief slides than I have weeks to go before I leave. (And, I have more designs I'm working on.)
February 2020 Time to make: 3 hours Finishing: 1 hour Original design: Philmont / Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown One of the places I'm looking forward to exploring either before we set out or after we are off-trail. Carved from southern yellow pine, the area between the pads and nails of the paws were notched…
In 2019, hundreds of Scouts, Venturers and adult volunteers spent their spring break at Philmont to help the high-adventure base recover from the fires of 2018 . They called it PhilBreak. This year’s sequel promises to be even better. For the 2020 version, PhilBreak has broadened its eligibility requirements, making this alternative spring break experience open…
January 2020 Time to make: 3 hours Finishing: 1 hour Original design: / Bill Macfarlane Inspiration: Philmont Days till Philmont Countdown So there I was happily carving a neckerchief slide when suddenly the knife slipped and grazed my plam. Although the cut was small, bright red blood shot across the table every time my heart beat…
January 2020 Time to make: 3 hours Finishing: 1 hour Original design: Philmont / Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown Loosely based on the Silver Dollar ("P" or "Dollar" if you prefer) patch, this patch and the segments ringing the patch (NOT SHOWN HERE) were the crowning gems of Scouts attending Philmont from 1942 to 1956.
We’re in the middle of registration periods for 2021 adventures at the BSA’s national high-adventure bases, with sign-ups at Sea Base starting this week. While you and your Scouts might have your sights on a specific experience, keep in mind that there’s more than one path to adventure.
September 2019 Time to make: 3 hours Finishing: 1 hour Original design: Philmont / Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown Yes, it is a logo I saw on a bottle opener on the Tooth of Time Traders site but I thought it was so cool that I had to make it as a slide.
Every few years, the BSA updates its Annual Health and Medical Record after consulting with health care professionals, Scout executives, council and camp health officers and other experts to ensure it is up-to-date and helpful. This was one of those years, meaning a new form is available for everyone to use for 2020.
November 2019 Time to make: 3 hours Finishing: 1 hour Original design: Philmont / Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown The gateway is another great symbol of Philmont and one I can't wait to see. (Though I don't know if you will see my boots hanging from it.)
November 2019 Time to make: 3 hours Finishing: 1 hour Original design: Philmont / Bill Macfarlane Days till Philmont Countdown As Philmont backcountry is the "Scouting Paradise", the Training Center is the Shangrila of Scouter (and Scout) training centers. If you ever have the chance, take a course there !
Enjoy the warm weather of Florida while acquiring the latest tools to help your Scout unit succeed. That’s the promise of a volunteer training conference at the Florida Sea Base. Pick from six weeklong conferences, each held in January 2020 at the BSA’s Florida home.
Step aboard for high adventure at the Sea Base . With treks in the Florida Keys, Bahamas and U.S. Virgin Islands, the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base offers once-in-a-lifetime adventures customized to the interests of your Scouts and Venturers. Start planning your 2020 or 2021 trek now.
Choose your own adventure at the Paul R. Christen National High Adventure Base at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. Scouts and Venturers can select world-class action sports or take a trek in and around the majestic New River Gorge National River.
