Location
Philmont Scout Ranch
47 Caballo Rd, Cimarron, NM 87714
OA Trail Crew Program
The Order of the Arrow invites you to join fellow Arrowmen in cheerful service and lasting brotherhood on the trails of Philmont Scout Ranch. Led by experienced Philmont staff members with strong OA backgrounds and under the direction of the Philmont Conservation Department, this two-week program offers a unique and challenging trail crew and trek experience.
This fourteen-day program is divided into two parts: the first week is dedicated to trail construction and maintenance under the guidance of Philmont trail crew foremen, while the second week is a seven-day backpacking trek inspired by participant requests and created with the Foremen. This journey is not just about building trails and hiking; it challenges Scouts mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Trail building is tough work, involving long and strenuous days requiring significant physical effort. Participants are expected to work diligently, as the trails are designed to last over 75 years and protect the beautiful landscape of Philmont Scout Ranch. Beyond trail-building techniques, Scouts will strengthen their leadership skills, learn advanced wilderness and low-impact camping skills, practice group wilderness safety, and engage in motivational activities while also receiving special OA instruction. The program’s mission is to maintain, reinforce, and enhance the purpose of the Order of the Arrow through scouting camping traditions, service to the outdoors, and service to others. Participants are expected to use their experience to benefit their troop, chapter, lodge, and council programs.
Cost: $495 per participant. Travel to and from Philmont is not included in this fee. Commercial shuttles are available from Albuquerque, Raton, Denver, and Colorado Springs. For the latest shuttle information, visit Philmont's website. Participants arriving by plane or train via shuttle should plan to arrive the day before the program starts and depart on the final day. Please wait to book travel until you receive your participant packet. The Order of the Arrow is not responsible for travel costs or changes.
Information on Philmont Shuttle Service
Shuttle Link - https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/ptc/planningyourvisit/getting-to-philmont/
Information on Philmont Staff Association Scholarships
Link to the campership application - https://cdn.ymaws.com/philstaff.org/resource/resmgr/scholarships/2024.06.22_individual_trek_f.pdf
OA Trail Crew Requirements
To participate in the OA Trail Crew program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a registered member of both the Boy Scouts of America and a local Order of the Arrow lodge.
- Be at least 16 years old on the day the program begins and not yet 21 by the time it ends.
- Be physically fit and able to lift and handle materials up to 50 pounds (Philmont height and weight guidelines will be strictly enforced).
- Complete a BSA Annual Health and Medical Record and submit it through the Philmont Gateway System.
- To comply with BSA Youth Protection requirements, each session must have a minimum of two participants from the same gender. Individual youth participants may register without a buddy of the same gender, but if no other youth participants of the same gender register, your session date may need to change or be canceled to comply with YPT.
Special Program Note: Session 9 will collaborate with the USFS in the Valle Vidal. During this unique shoulder season adventure, no staff camps will be open. Alongside mountain biking, crews will have the rare opportunity to summit Little Costilla and Baldy.
There are no exceptions to these rules. Selection for the Trail Crew program is both an honor and a privilege.
Scouts from the same unit are welcome to attend the same session.
$50 of your deposit is nonrefundable. After your approval, your entire deposit is nonrefundable.
Participants will receive an email when their registration is submitted and a second email when the application has been approved by the Lodge and Council. These emails are automated and may be flagged as junk/spam. Please add no-reply@registration.oa-bsa.org to your safe sender list and check your junk folder if you do not see the emails.