BOSTON MINUTEMAN COUNCIL, B.S.A. 2014 PHILMONT ADULT APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 1, 2013 From: Boston Minuteman Council, High Adventure Committee We thank you for your interest in serving as an Adult Advisor for one of our National High Adventure Philmont Expeditions. It is important to remember that the High Adventure Committee, based upon qualifications provided, will make the final selection of all adult leaders. The number of adults selected will depend on the size of the Council Contingent attending Philmont It is very important to remember that all adult leader positions will have responsibilities before, during and after the expedition. The actual extent of individual duties will depend on the size of the expedition, your final leadership position, and assignments made by the Contingent Leader and the High Adventure Committee Advisor. The information in this application should answer most of your questions and give details of the information we need from you. Please provide as much information as possible to assist us in our selection process. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us. Minimum Requirements for Adult Leaders at the Time of Application: Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America. Be at least twenty-one (21) years old. Applicants between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one will be considered as youth members although they could serve as an adult leader, if absolutely necessary. Be able to pass the Philmont-specific Class 3 Physical and be physically capable of fully participating in the expedition. Meet the Philmont Height/Weight guidelines Have previous experience as a Boy Scout or Venture leader in a troop or crew environment. Requirements to be Completed Prior to the Expedition: Complete BSA leadership training appropriate to your primary registered position in Scouting. Complete BSA Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills. Complete BSA Youth Protection Training with current certification or re-certification, if appropriate. Complete BSA Health and Safety Training with current certification or re-certification, if appropriate. Complete Adult CPR and Standard First Aid Training with current certification or re-certification, if appropriate. Complete Leave No Trace Awareness Training. Complete National High Adventure Leader's Seminar conducted by the High Adventure Committee. Read and understand the contents of the following: Guide to Safe Scouting (34116C) Tours and Expeditions (33737C) Appropriate Participants Guidebook for Philmont Appropriate Leader's Guide for Philmont In addition, at least one (1) member of each crew is required to have a current certification for a 16-hour Wilderness First Aid course offered by an approved provider.
APPLICATION DETAILS The below information will be used to evaluate and rank candidates by the Boston Minuteman Council, High Adventure Committee, if necessary, when reviewing adult applications. Registration: Is the applicant currently registered in a Boston Minuteman unit, district or council position? What is the applicant's past registration history? Height and Weight: Does the applicant meet the guidelines or can guidelines be easily met before the expedition? Physical Limitations and Medications: Philmont expeditions can be physically demanding, does the applicant have any health problems that may affect performance? Current Position in Scouting and Scouting History: Has the applicant worked with a troop or crew? If so how long and in what positions? Is the applicant fully aware of the concept of a youth run crew? What other Scouting activities does the applicant participate in, including the Order of the Arrow, District, or Council Committees, etc? Was the applicant a Scout as a youth, what rank was achieved, and what notable experiences did they have as a youth? Training Completed: Has the applicant completed basic leader training? Has the applicant completed Wood Badge? Has the applicant gone to National Camp School or Philmont Training Center? If a Venturing leader, has the applicant completed Powderhorn? Has the applicant worked on camp staff? Wilderness First-aid? Past National High Adventure Base Attendance: Be sure to include participation as youth member by listing each separately including year attended, base attended, and specific program, if applicable. Past experience is not required, but will be considered when selecting Contingent Leaders or Crew Advisors. Skills, Knowledge, and Gear: It is important to provide detailed information especially on training (see below) and past experience. Multiple events are important in establishing an experience level up to a point, but ten past trips will not carry five times the value of five trips. This information will be used to establish an Experience Rating of LOW, MEDIUM, or HIGH. Outdoor Training or Certifications: List in detail on separate sheet. Be sure to include past activities such as Outward Bound, N.O.L.S. or similar courses. Unit High Adventure Activities: List in detail on a separate sheet previous "long-term" (5 Days, 4 Nights) High Adventure Activities with Scout units or similar youth groups. First Aid and Emergency Care Certifications: List the courses you have previously completed (most recent dates) and expiration dates where applicable. This information will be used to assist in scheduling necessary courses prior to the expedition. Additional B.S.A. Certifications: List the course you have previously completed (most recent dates) and expiration dates where applicable. Most of these will be covered during the National High Adventure Leader Training Session to cover necessary updating. Participation by Child: It goes without saying that a parent/child pairing on an expedition would be a great experience for both and will be considered as much as possible, but will not be one of the most important considerations in the leader selection process. It would primarily be a "tie breaker" if all other factors were equal or close to equal. Participation by Other Unit Members: Since participation by multiple unit members on an expedition can form a strong crew or nucleus of a crew this will be seriously considered in the leader selection process. If other factors are equal or close to equal, a leader or leaders with multiple unit youth members will receive consideration proportional to the number of youth participants including their children who have submitted applications and paid deposits for the particular expedition. To assist these processes please list unit members on a separate sheet attached to application.
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA HEIGHT and WEIGHT GUIDELINES for HIGH ADVENTURE BASES This table is based on the revised Dietary Guidelines for Americans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services. Each participant in a Philmont trek must not exceed the maximum acceptable limit in the weight-for-height chart below. The right column shows the maximum acceptable weight for a person's height in order to participate in a Philmont trek. Those who fall within the limits are more likely to have an enjoyable trek and avoid incurring health risks. Every Philmont trek involves hiking with a 35- to 50-pound backpack at elevations of 6,500 to 12,500 feet. Philmont recommends that participants carry a pack weighing no more than 25% to 30% of their body weight. HEIGHT RECOMMENDED WEIGHT MAXIMUM ACCEPTANCE 5'0" 97-138 166 5'1" 101 143 172 5'2" 104 148 178 5'3" 107 152 183 5'4" 111 157 189 5'5" 114 162 195 5'6" 118 167 201 5'7" 121 172 207 5'8" 125 178 214 5'9" 129 185 220 5'10" 132 188 226 5'11" 136 194 233 6'0" 140 199 239 6'1" 144 205 246 6'2" 148 210 252 6'3" 152 216 260 6'4" 156 222 267 6'5" 160 228 274 6'6" 164 234 281 6'7" and OVER 170 240 295 Participants 21 years and older who exceed the maximum acceptable weight limit for their height at the Philmont medical recheck will not be permitted to backpack or hike at Philmont. You will be sent home, without a refund, and at your own expense. Only under the most unusual of circumstances and with PRIOR approval from the Philmont Medical Staff, will participants 21 years and older who exceed the maximum acceptable weight limit be allowed to participate. Under no circumstances will any individual over 295 pounds be allowed to participate, regardless of height or age.
LEADERSHIP POSITIONS and RESPONSIBILITIES FOR EACH EXPEDITION Professional Advisor: This position is held by a member of the Professional Staff appointed by the Scout Executive as the liaison between the Boston Minuteman Council and the High Adventure Committee. The Professional Advisor will be involved and work with the High Adventure Committee Advisor and Contingent Leader for each expedition before, during and after the expedition. High Adventure Committee Advisor/Liaison: This position is held by a member of the Boston Minuteman Council High Adventure Committee who serves as the liaison between the High Adventure Committee and the individual expedition. This person may or may not be the contingent leader or an adult advisor on the expedition they are advising. Contingent Leader: This is usually assigned to a more experienced leader although not necessarily the most experienced in interest of additional leadership development. This individual will have the following responsibilities: Serve as contact between Boston Minuteman Council office and the expedition. Work with the Boston Minuteman Council Professional Advisor to assure collection of expedition fees and timely payment of expedition expenses. Develop, schedule, and supervise the travel plans and reservations for travel, food and lodging between home and Philmont with help from the Professional Advisor. Plan and lead any expedition and parent meetings. Develop and supervise the expedition budget with help from the Professional Advisor. Serve as liaison between families and High Adventure Committee for campership requests. With the Professional Advisor and High Adventure Committee Advisor serve as the Primary Expedition Contact with Philmont. This includes forwarding appropriate information to all of the adult advisors and assistants. Supervise and assure the training of the other adult advisors. Establish expedition rules and guidelines in accordance with Boston Minuteman Council, Philmont and National B.S.A. regulations and guidelines. With Professional Advisor, resolve any conflicts between advisors and expedition members or parents. Be sure that all advisors and crews have met minimum certification requirements for CPR, First Aid and Wilderness First Aid well in advance of expedition. Serve as an additional advisor to a crew during the expedition although usually not a crew advisor. If an "extra" advisor, be ready to fill any advisor vacancy in an expedition crews. Assistant Contingent Leader(s): This individual assists the Contingent Leader, as requested, in any of the above duties, and is fully prepared to assume the duties of the Contingent Leader, if necessary. The assistant contingent leader is traditionally assigned as the "Tour Director" and would be responsible for all travel related responsibilities during travel to and from Philmont.
Crew Advisors and Assistant Crew Advisors: These adult leaders will: Assist contingent leaders, as requested. See that Medical Forms are returned complete at least 1 month prior to activity, and copies made for use by expedition. Retain originals for use at Philmont. Communicate with crewmembers and parents to insure that payments are kept up to date. Oversee the training of the crew leader and the entire crew, consisting of physical training, outdoor skills, and leadership development. Ensure the safety and well being of everyone in the crew. Address crew conflicts that may require discipline. Serve as a counselor and coach giving appropriate guidance to the crew leader. Work with crew leader to develop proper crew dynamics. Crew Leader: This is a YOUTH Position but listed here due to the liaison required with the adult leaders. Each crew will select a well qualified Scout, or Venturer, as Crew Leader before final training begins or as soon as possible during the crew formation process. This YOUTH member will serve as the main contact between the crew and the staff at Philmont from arrival until departure. The crew leader will provide leadership for: Making the itinerary selections where applicable based upon the desires of the entire crew. During the expedition, select the daily routes base on the capabilities of the crew. Setting up and breaking of daily camps. Establishing a duty roster. Seeing that equipment and food is properly stored in camp and protected from weather and wildlife. Ensuring that Leave No Trace low impact camping practices are followed on all crew activities. Assist in the development of crew spirit and maintaining it during the expedition. It is also quite likely that a crew will select an Assistant Crew Leader and assign specific duties to other crew members.
BOSTON MINUTEMAN COUNCIL 2014 PHILMONT PAYMENT SCHEDULE The following Payment Schedule is based upon a $ 2200 -$ 2600 expedition fee, current Philmont payment deadlines and transportation providers. This is an estimate. Final itinerary and travel costs have not yet been determined. If expedition cost or payment deadlines change, amounts will be adjusted by proportional changes on each remaining due date. Initial Non-Refundable Deposit due with Application: $600 09/15/2013 $425 11/15/2013 $425 01/15/2014 $425 03/15/2014 $425 05/15/2014 Balance If family experiences temporary problems in meeting the payment schedule and extension to payment deadline is needed, please contact Boston Minuteman Council Office PRIOR to the due date. We will work with you in handling problems of this type. If you must drop out of the Trek, it is your responsibility to find your replacement. If payments are more than 15 days late, the adult participant or parents will be contacted to be sure that the Scout still plans to participate in the expedition. If payments are more than 30 days late without contact, participant is subject to being moved to the bottom of the waiting list. Payment should be sent to: BOSTON MINUTEMAN COUNCIL 411 UNQUITY ROAD MILTON, MA 02186 INCLUDE PARTICPANT'S NAME AND "PHILMONT 2014" WITH PAYMENT
BOSTON MINUTEMAN COUNCIL 2014 PHILMONT REFUND POLICY Note: The initial $600 deposit for youth and adults becomes non-refundable after selection to an expedition. Refunds of the deposit are only made under the following circumstances: Adults or Youth under unusual circumstances with High Adventure Committee Approval. As spaces are limited and waiting lists often develop, no refunds of deposit will be made to participants who "decide not to go," or "no longer interested," or have something else come up, etc. All requests for refunds of other payments, in addition to initial deposit, will be handled by the Boston Minuteman Council High Adventure Committee, on an individual basis. All requests for refunds should be submitted in writing to the High Adventure Committee for review at their next scheduled meeting. No refunds will be given after December 31, 2013. If you drop out between May 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013 you will receive your refund less a 15% administration fee. (Deposit is non-refundable) The Boston Minuteman Council makes scheduled, non-refundable, non-transferable payments to Philmont Scout Ranch and transportation providers for Council High Adventure Contingents. If an alternate is not found to replace the original participant, refunds will be limited to the amount that is refunded to the expedition and Boston Minuteman Council. In highly unusual circumstances of serious illness or injury to the participant or serious family situation, refunds are also possible if participant has to drop out of expedition at a later date. In these cases, the High Adventure Committee will review the situation and make the highest possible refund to the participant's family consistent with high adventure base and airline or other transportation provider policies less 15% administration fees.
BOSTON MINUTEMAN COUNCIL 2014 PHILMONT ADULT APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 1, 2013 Must be currently registered with the Council at time of application. Current 2013 applications must be used. The Council High Adventure Committee will review all adult applications. The High Adventure Committee will make initial selection of adults in June of 2013. Number of adults selected will depend on the size of the Council Contingency. All adult fees will be the same as youth fees. There are no camperships available for adult leaders. ALL adults selected for 2014 Philmont Expedition must participate in a mandatory Leader Training Session. All adults selected for 2014 Philmont Expedition must complete the following training prior to 2014 Philmont Trek if not done previously: Basic Leader Training for Boy Scout or Venture including Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills Session or previous Scoutmaster Fundamentals Course. Be certified through Expedition Dates in Adult C.P.R, Standard First Aid, BSA Youth Protection, and Health and Safety. Wilderness First-Aid Dates at PHILMONT Scout Ranch: July 6, 2014 July 18, 2014 Overall Expedition Dates including travel: July 4, 2011 July 18, 2011 (tentative) $600 non-refundable deposit required with application. Deposit will only be refunded if no openings are available as of December 31, 2013. General Contact Information (Please print or type) - Use back of form to provide additional detail to any question(s), if needed. Name: Nickname: Birth Date: Street Address: City: State: Zip: Home Phone Number: Alternate Phone Number: E-Mail (Home): E-Mail (Work): Tee Shirt Size (Adult Size): S M L XL XXL Adult Questionnaire Height: Weight: District: Unit: Current Position: Time Held:
Where you a Scout as a Youth (Boy Scout, Venturer, Explorer)? Yes: No: If Yes, please list program and highest rank. Program: Highest Rank: I. Scouting Leadership and Training Scouting Leadership Positions Date(s) Scouting Training History Date(s) Basic Training Wood Badge Other Other II. Do you have any physical limitations that would restrict your participation in this activity? Yes: No: If yes, please provide a short explanation (please note, a yes response does not necessarily preclude your participation in an expedition). III. Do you take medication(s) on a regular basis? Yes: No: IV. Have you attended any National High Adventure programs in the past? Yes: No: If yes, please provide information below, or if necessary on the back of this form. Program: Program: Date(s): Date(s): V. What specific skills, knowledge or gear do you have that would help this High Adventure Trek be more successful? Use the back of this form to provide additional detail, if needed. VI. Explain what backpacking, camping or other outdoor training or certifications you have received that would help this High Adventure Trek be more successful? Use the back of this form to provide additional detail, if needed.
VII. List what other unit-based High Adventure treks or outing you have taken previously with Scouts or other youth groups. Please list up to five that would be most appropriate for consideration for this expedition. VIII. First Aid and Emergency Care Certifications: (Please include month and year) Course Date(s) Taken Certification Expiration Date Adult CPR Standard First Aid Wilderness First Aid Other IX. Additional BSA Certifications: (Please include month and year) Course Date(s) Taken Certification Expiration Date Youth Protection Health and Safety Trek on Safely Leave No Trace Climb on Safely Safe Swim Defense Safety Afloat Other: X. Is your child applying for this expedition? Yes: No: XI. Are there other members of your unit going to be applying? Yes: No: If yes, please list the names of those members on the back of this form. XII. I have read the supporting documentation accompanying this application or have contacted a member of the Boston Minuteman Council High Adventure Committee for clarification, if necessary, and understand what is expected of an adult Philmont Council Contingent member. By signing below, I agree that all of the information on this application is correct and complete. I understand that the acceptance of this application is not automatic. It will be reviewed by the Council High Adventure Committee and could be rejected for failure to disclose information. I acknowledge and understand: the responsibilities and duties of a Boston Minuteman Philmont Leader; the training and BSA certifications required; the skills required for safe participation; that attendance and participation in training sessions are mandatory; the Boston Minuteman Council 2014 Philmont Payment Schedule and Refund Policy; the Boy Scouts of America and Boston Minuteman Council policies on Tobacco Products; and the significant physical and mental fitness requirements for participating in a Philmont Expedition including the Height/Weight Standards. Applicant Signature: Date:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS and ANSWERS FOR ADULT PHILMONT APPLICATIONS When will exact Expedition Dates for each Philmont Expedition be known? The dates at Philmont are definite, and the overall dates are based on Boston Minuteman Council High Adventure Committee Philmont expedition procedures used in the past. The selected advisors will decide on final dates during the National High Adventure Leaders Seminar in late August or early September of the year prior to the expedition. Unless any unforeseen problems occur with transportation the overall expedition dates on the application should be comet and used for initial planning purposes. What are the minimum requirements and what criteria is the Boston Minuteman Council High Adventure Committee looking for? The minimum requirements are listed on the cover sheet that accompanies Adult Applications. In addition to the minimums, the candidate should meet as many of the following criteria as possible. PRIOR completion of these, especially LEADER TRAINING is very beneficial to the candidate. Have several years experience as an active leader in a Boy Scout Troop or Venture Crew. Past participation in Long Term High Adventure Activities with their unit. Used to working with YOUTH LEADERS and advising a youth planned and led activity. Past First Aid and CPR training. Completion of other BSA training opportunities and certifications. What is the minimum and maximum number of adults selected for each expedition and is there a limit on the number of adults from a particular unit? There can be no definite answer to this since it varies by number of youth and adult applications for a particular expedition. Generally the following numbers of leaders are selected: A minimum of two (2) adults over 21 years old is required per crew. If available spaces are not filled by youth applicants prior to the established deadline, additional adults on the waiting list might be added up to the maximum number allowed by Philmont (4 in full crew of 12, and majority of crew must be youth under 21). There is no limit on the number of adults per unit, but final selection will be based on qualifications and how many total participants come from each unit. When are adult selections completed? Generally, the adult selections with official notification are completed within thirty days of the May deadline on the applications. This is the year prior to the expedition. Additional adults on waiting list would generally know their actual chance of full participation as of December 31 of the year prior to the expedition. How applicants between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one considered in the adult selection process? Since the High Adventure Bases are for Boy Scouts and Venturers applicants in this age bracket at time of participation ARE PRIMARILY CONSIDERED AS YOUTH MEMBERS and should submit a YOUTH application, which will greatly increase their chance of selection. This does not mean that they could not serve as the second adult advisor for a crew, if necessary, to meet two deep leadership requirements at the Philmont or during the trip to and from the base. How much are the leader fees and what is the adult payments schedule? Leader fees and payment schedule are the same as youth fees because National High Adventure Bases do not offer free or reduced rates for adults like most Scout camps. A $600.00 deposit is required with the application, which is refundable if not selected. There are no "camperships" available.
How are Philmont crews formed and adults assigned? Boston Minuteman Council Philmont Expeditions usually operate at the MAXIMUM Crew Size of 12. This is done to maximize the number of youth participants while having two-deep adult leadership over 21 years of age. After unit members are kept together, every attempt is made to keep the crew as close together by district or geography. If someone is added off the waiting list after initial crew formation they will be assigned to the Crew that lost a member. Can co-ed Venture Crews participate on Boston Minuteman Council Philmont Expeditions? Yes, if BSA guidelines are met and the participants are registered as Venturers or Leaders. "Co-ed Venturing Crews are required to provide coed leadership while en route to and from... the High Adventure Base and while... at the base... A Coed Venturing crew must have at least one male advisor and at least one female advisor, each of whom must be at least 21 years of age. Male and female youth participants will not share the same sleeping facility. Male and female advisors are required to have separate sleeping facilities. Married couples serving as adult advisors may share the same quarters if appropriate facilities are available. Female advisors will be responsible for the female participants; male advisors will be responsible for the male participants." This essentially means if a coed venturing crew or combined crews can provide male and female leadership that meets the guidelines they could participate in a Boston Minuteman Council Philmont expedition. The qualified and experienced coed leadership should be secured including submitting female advisor applications prior to submitting applications for female youth participants. How does my child's or other unit members' participation affects my chances of selection? Since participation by MULTIPLE troop or crewmembers on an expedition can form a strong crew or nucleus of a crew, they will be kept together as a unit with their own leadership whenever possible. Participation of MULTIPLE unit members, especially youth members will be seriously considered in the leader selection process. If other factors are equal or close to equal, a leader or leaders with multiple youth members will receive consideration proportional to the number of youth participants includ ing their children who have submitted applications and paid deposits for the particular expedition. It goes without saying that a parent/child pairing on an expedition would be a great experience for both and will be considered as much as possible, but will not be one of the most important considerations in the leader selection process. It would primarily be a "tie breaker" if all other factors were equal or close to equal. How are past National High Adventure Trips Considered? Past experience is NOT required but is considered when selecting Contingent Leaders. First time participants may be assigned as Contingent Leaders, Crew Advisors or Assistant Crew Advisors depending on applications received and past experience. In fact, experienced advisors often serve as mentors to first time advisors who actually fill the Crew Advisor's role. It is the desire of the National High Adventure Bases and the Boston Minuteman Council High Adventure Committee to give as many adults as possible the opportunity to participate in a National High Adventure expedition and not send the same people over and over again, but past experience is important especially for large expeditions. How are tenure and experience considered in the application process? While these criteria are important in establishing an Experience Rating of LOW, MEDIUM, or HIGH, they do not increase the rating score infinitely. Previous experience on long term (5 days and 4 nights or greater) with Scouts or similar youth groups is one of the most important criteria considered in the selection process. How many meetings and training trips will be required? This will vary by expedition, previous training level, and individual crew. In general you can expect the following:
Attendance at the MANDATORY National High Adventure Leaders Training in the late summer or early fall of the year prior to your expedition. One or more Expedition Meetings with parents and participants. Expedition Leader Meetings, as required. Crew meetings and especially training sessions including MULTIPLE SHAKEDOWN TRIPS. These will be needed for physical training and, most importantly, team building for the crew. How and when do I register for any additional training required? The individual advisor is responsible for registering and covering the cost of the required training. The Boston Minuteman Council High Adventure Committee will be conducting the National High Adventure Leader's Seminar at no cost to the participant. Details on Standard First Aid, Adult CPR, and Wilderness First Aid Training. These should be completed as soon as possible preferably the year prior to your expedition so you will be certified before crew training activities start. The Council High Adventure Committee, working with the local resources, will provide opportunities for both initial and refresher training for Adult CPR and Standard First Aid in the fall of the year prior to your expedition. The policy of the Boston Minuteman High Adventure Committee is to have all expedition adults certified in Adult CPR and Standard First Aid. Philmont requires that at least one (1) member of each crew must be certified in Wilderness First Aid. The SOLO Wilderness First Aid course will be scheduled early spring in the year of your expedition.