With the end of 2024 fast approaching, it is time to start the planning and preparations for your unit’s 2026 adventure at the “Pinnacle of Scouting” – Philmont Scout Ranch in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in New Mexico.

The applications to join one of the Patriots’ Path Council Philmont contingents for the fifteen (15) day (14 night) adventure can be done online on the council’s website at https://247scouting.com/forms/358-philmont2026crews

The link is also available on the council’s High Adventure website and at Watchu.org.

There are 4 crews in each of the 5 contingents for a total of 20 crews. The departure dates and return dates for the contingents are:

• 625        June 23 to July 7, 2026 (4 crews)
• 626      June 24 to July 8, 2026 (4 crews)
• 627      June 25 to July 9, 2026 (4 crews) (627 Contingent is #1 on the waitlist from Philmont and may not be available at time of selection.)
• 711      July 9 to July 23, 2026 (4 crews)
• 716      July 14 to July 28, 2026 (4 crews)
• 717      July 15 to July 29, 2026 (4 crews)

The allocations of the crew numbers will be done at the Patriots’ Path Council Service Center in Cedar Knolls on January 28, 2025 (the fourth Tuesday in January). Philmont crews consist of 12 members – 8 youth and 4 adults, or 9 youth and 3 adults. For the initial application a minimum of 6 youth and 2 adult names are required. Units may register for multiple crews and units can create a combined crew with neighboring units.

All Patriots’ Path Council crews will participate in the Watchu Experience. It is an 18-month “get ready” program, which consists of:

• five (5) advisor briefings,
• one (1) advisor skills training session and
• a full weekend simulated Philmont program for the whole crew.

In addition, the council will manage the payments, make the airline reservations and distribute payments to Philmont, the airlines and the Colorado tour operator. Any unit that does not have enough interest for a full crew, but has members that would like to go to Philmont, can send an email to Chief Watchu ([email protected]) stating the number of scouts and adults that are interested. The Watchu Team will work with partial crews to create combined crews.

For all enquiries or questions, please email Chief Watchu at [email protected].