National Catholic Committee on Scouting George Trek Application

Transcription

1 National Catholic Committee on Scouting George Trek Application St. July 5-20, 2017 What is the St. George Trek? The St. George Trek is the National Catholic Committee on Scouting s biennial high adventure leadership program for older Catholic Boy Scouts and Venture Crew members held at Philmont Scout Ranch. This retreat program brings Catholic high school youth from around the country together with selected priests, religious and seminarians for eleven days of backpacking, including three days of intensive leadership training at a backcountry base camp. While hiking, participants will experience a program designed to encourage the integration of morality, values, spirituality, faith and scripture in their lives as Christian leaders. Before returning home, they will be asked to commit themselves to bring what they have experienced home to their respective dioceses where they can become effective peer leaders and role models for their fellow Scouts. Who is Eligible for the St. George Trek? Each Arch/diocese is encouraged to conduct a search and nominate one or two Scouts or Venturers to the Trek. Because the program can only accommodate seventy youth, only two participants per diocese will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Selection of participants is made by the individualarch/diocese and should be made on the basis of demonstrated maturity and leadership potential, an interest the life of the Church and an openness to discerning one s vocation. The earning of Scouting's religious emblems and involvement in church, school and Scouting activities is given consideration. Applicants should be emotionally mature adolescents who will be fifteen years of age on or before July 1, 2017, in high school in the fall of 2017 and committed to assist their Catholic Committee when they return home. Applications to the Diocese of Beaumont Catholic Committee on Scouting (see below) are due by November 15, How Much Does the Trek Cost? The 2017 fee for the Saint George Trek is $ per participant. This fee covers: all Philmont ScoutRanch fees, lodging, food, and chartered bus travel. Additional costs may include: transportation to and fromalbuquerque, NM, and normal personal expenses. Financial assistance may be available to Scouts whodemonstrate financial need. For more information, visit the National Catholic Committee on Scouting s website: or Bruce Grimes by at brucegrimes1@aol.com

2 2017 SAINT GEORGE TREK YOUTH PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION Saint George Trek - Philmont 2017 Wednesday, July 5, 2017 to Thursday, July 20, 2017 Applications are currently being accepted from the Diocese of Beaumont for the 2017 St. George Trek at Philmont Scout Ranch. Completed applications (see below) must be sent to Ms. Melanie Ehrlich by August 14, 2016 in order to arrange for the necessary interviews. Ms. Melanie Ehrlich % DCCS PO Box 3948 Beaumont, TX mehrlich@dioceseofbmt.org Telephone: (409) Details Dates: July 5-20, 2017 Fee: $800 per participant,includes the following: All Philmont Scout Ranch fees, Retreat House lodging in Albuquerque, Philmont and Retreat House meals, and Chartered bus travel between Albuquerque and Philmont Not Included in Fee: Transportation to and from Albuquerque, personal gear, and normal personal expenses. Applicable Forms/Documents: Participant Application Philmont Height and Weight Requirements BSA Health and Medical Record Note: Diocese of BeaumontCatholic Committee on Scouting plans to subsidize part of the fees. Details will be announced as soon as available. Those selected as participants should plan on paying a portion of the fee and the other expenses themselves. Each participant is encouraged to arrange for further funding through their local Scout unit, Chartered Organization, local Knights of Columbus councils and/or their home parish.

3 WHAT - The St. George Trek is a biennial, high adventure, backpacking retreat program for Catholic Scouts and Venturers administered by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting in cooperation with the Boy Scouts of America's Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. The program begins and ends in Albuquerque, New Mexico; however the hike itself takes place at the Philmont Scout Ranch. PURPOSE -Philmont's high adventure backpacking experience is placed within the context of a retreat program dedicated to assisting a Scout's awareness of his or her Christian vocation with a particular emphasis on the vocations of Priesthood and Religious Life. The adult advisors for each crew of 8-10 scouts are therefore priests, religious men and women, and seminarians. The advisors fulfill the role of adult supervision in a youth led crew, while at the same time literally walking with the scouts in order for them to come to a deeper understanding of the advisor's vocation. The presence of advisors on the trail gives the scouts an opportunity to experience the sacraments and the church's life of prayer on a daily basis as they hike through "God's Country". GOAL - Scouts create two Covenant Commitments. The first covenant is to Almighty God which the scout keeps to him or herself. This covenant is one that hopefully opens the scout to God's vocational call. The second covenant is to their sponsoring diocese stating how they plan to be of service to the Church through Catholic Scouting. These covenant commitments help the participant to recognize the serious commitment of participating in the St. George Trek. CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS/SELECTION The Diocese of Beaumont Catholic Committee on Scouting is conducting a search and will nominate one or two Boy Scouts or Venture Crew members for participation in the Trek. Because the program can only accommodate seventy youth, only two participants per diocese will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Selection of participant(s) is made by Diocese of Beaumont Catholic Committee on Scouting be made on the basis of demonstrated maturity, physical ability, leadership potential, an interest the life of the Church and an openness to the discernment of vocation. The earning of Scouting's Religious Emblems and involvement in church, school and scouting activities will be given consideration. Candidates should be emotionally mature adolescents who will be at least fifteen years of age on or before July 1, 2017, in High School in the fall of 2017 and committed to assist their Catholic Committee when they return home. They must also have the physical health and stamina to backpack on the mountain trails of Philmont. NO exceptions can be made to these expectations and requirements. A female crew is planned pending sufficient female registration. The Saint George Trek is a one-time only experience for youth. Previous youth participants are not eligible.

4 Last Name: First Name: MI: Address: Date of Birth * City: State: Zip: Telephone Number: ( ) Participant Participant s Shirt size Parent Participant s Cell Phone # Parent Cell Phone # PARISH INFORMATION: Parish Name: Location: Pastor s Name: My Parish Activities/Service: SCHOOL INFORMATION: School: Location: Grade: ( ) Honors: My School Activities: SCOUTING INFORMATION: Unit: Location: Chartered Partner: Rank: Current Leadership Position: My Scouting Activities: My High Adventure Activities:

5 My Catholic Scouting Activities: Catholic Scouting Emblems you have earned: Light of Christ Parvuli Dei Ad Altare Dei Light is Life Pope Pius XII Hobbies and Special Interests: [ ] Yes or [ ] No I meet or will meet the Philmont Height/Weight Requirement* [ ]Yes or [ ]No I understand that I must be validly certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR by July 2017 [ ]Yes or [ ]No I am willing to participate in activities and discussions about discernment of a vocation to priesthoodor religious life [ ]Yes or [ ] No I have or will meet with the Vocations Director* Use the space below to explain why you wish to represent your diocese as a St. George Trek participant Applicant s Signature Date Parent/Guardian Signature DatePastor/Vocations Signature - Date Must be 15 years of age and within the Philmont weight guidelines on or before July 1, No exceptions can be made!