BENICIA BOY SCOUT TROOP 8 Philmont Friday, July 31 Saturday, August 8, 2015
Boy Scouts of America Troop 8 Philmont July 31 Augus 8, 2015 Outing Information Schedule: Forms Due Date Check-in Return Meeting Place Tuesday, May 19 (Troop Meeting) Friday, July 31, 4:00 am Saturday, August 8, Late afternoon Benicia Community Center 401 East K Street Contacts: Trip Organizer Supervising Adult Quartermaster Asa Goldsmith, Trek SPL Email: ajgsonic@gmail.com 707-649-2222 David Kensiski, HAT Advisor Email: david@kensiski.org 707-747-9663 Jim Butts Email: buttsjo@yahoo.com 707-297-6029 Description: This is our paramount 7-day trek at scouting s premiere High Adventure destination: Philmont Scout Ranch. We will travel by car to Oakland Airport where we will board a flight to Denver, Colorado. In Denver, we will be met by Blue Sky adventures who will take us to Red Rock Park and Amphitheater and the US Air Force Academy before we hunker down for the night at the Marriott Hotel in Colorado Springs. (They have a pool, so do bring a bathing suit!) On Saturday, we will dine at the Marriott s breakfast buffet, after which Blue Sky will transport us to Philmont in time for us to check in for our trek. Philmont has granted our first trek request that includes climbing three mountains over 10,000 feet, black powder rifle shooting, and much, much more. See the itinerary and maps posted on the troop website. We will hike out and spend the night of August 7 at the Philmont base camp. Blue Sky will meet us after breakfast on August 8 and transport us to Denver Airport where will we fly back to Oakland and then drive home in time for dinner. Our trek ID is 801-7A and any correspondence or contact with us will require that number. You may send postal mail to your son at this address: Scout s Name, Trek 801-7A 47 Caballo Road Cimarron, NM 87714
We will likely only be able to retrieve mail at the start and end of our trek, so time your sending accordingly, keeping in mind that it will likely take 1 2 days extra to get to us. Emergencies: Our committee chair Dan Carnahan is our emergency contact for this trip. If you have an emergency and need to get in touch with us, please try to contact Dan first. Email: dan@skipperdan.com Phone: 707-747-1808 If you cannot reach Dan in a timely manner, Philmont has a 24-hour emergency phone at (575) 376-2281. And having trek number (801-7A) will make locating us much easier. Please use this ONLY in an emergency! Troop Philmont page: http://benicia-troop8.org/events/philmont2015.shtml Philmont website: http://www.philmontscoutranch.org/ Organizing: The Trip Organizer will organize the Scouts into patrols of three to six Scouts each. Then, he will either assign among them who will act as the Patrol Leader for each patrol or let them assign their own. Each Patrol Leader will lead his patrol to decide together what they will eat and what equipment they need. The adults will belong to their own patrol, known as the Dinosaur Patrol. Packing: This is an aggressive extended outing and scouts should prepare accordingly, both individually and as a group. The SPL will coordinate shared troop gear so that we do not have any excess. This will include, among other things: Backapcking stoves Water filters Cooking pots Tents Upon arrival, Philmont will assign us a Troop Guide who will have each member of the trek empty their backpack and will inspect the gear for duplicates. While it has become convenient for everyone to have their own stove, water filter, cooking pot, etc, our trek guide throw out everything that is not needed. Also note that Philmont expects us to sleep two people per tent, so be prepared to buddy up. It is also important to note Philmont is at a high elevation in the American Southwest. This is a very dry climate and each trek member is expected to carry at least 4 liters of water. If you do not have four liters, you will be required to buy an extra water container before being allowed to participate in the trek! Each Scout should pack his own backpack with the items listed in the Outing Equipment List. Scouts should not overpack, but must bring the items marked with a Y. Items marked with a R are recommended. The troop will provide water filters and backpacking stoves. Scouts should leave enough space in their backpack to carry their portion of the troop equipment. Electronic devices: Philmont policy cites that smart phones may be taken on the trail but may only be used in a manner that enhances the Philmont experience. This means that they may be used as a camera, GPS tracker, star/constellation app, animal identifier, etc. If they are being used for texting, game playing, or in other manners, they will be confiscated and returned as we board the bus to depart. Also bear in mind that there are no opportunities to charge electronics once we arrive at Philmont. Meals: All meals are provided, whether en-route to Philmont or on the trek.
Scouts may bring individual snacks at their discretion, but wildlife is rampant at Philmont and all foodstuffs must go into bear bags and be secured properly when not on the trail. Drinking Water: We will be hiking at high altitude in the American Southwest. The air is very dry and the environment challenging. Philmont requires that each scout carry at least 4 liters of water every time he hits the trail. Philmont staff will inspect each scout s gear upon check-in and any scout who does not have 4 liters of water will have to purchase additional containers before being allowed on the trial. The troop will provide filtration systems for refilling water bottles in the back-country. The troop s water filters are designed to screw directly to Nalgene style wide-mouth water bottles for easy filling. Sleeping: As rain showers and thunderstorms are a regular occurrence at Philmont, Scouts and adults will sleep in tents. Philmont actively practices the principles of Leave No Trace and, as such, all members of the trek will be sleeping two people to a tent. Single tents are not permitted. Scouts should plan ahead and determine with whom they expect to share a tent. Troop Equipment: The troop has a few tents and backpacks that are available for Scouts to borrow for this trek. If desired to obtain equipment, please contact the Quartermaster Patty Butts (707-297-6029) as soon as possible to make arrangements. Advancement Opportunity: Outings are ideal opportunities to work on advancement requirements. The older Scouts will teach, test, and sign-off for the younger Scouts. Forms: Please complete, sign, and return the following forms to trip organizer on the day of departuer: Each Scout must return these forms, completed and signed: 1. Parent Consent / Permission Form 2. Class A/B/C Medical signed by a licensed physician 3. Blue Sky Adventures release of liability Each adult must return these forms, completed and signed: 1. Copy of their Youth Protection Training Certificate 2. Proof off CPR / Hazardous Weather / Wilderness First Aid certification, as appropriate 3. Drivers License / Automobile Information Form if driving (Hard copies are not required if already on file with troop.) 4. Blue Sky Adventures release of liability Cost: Based on past experience, the cost for this trip will be between $1,100 and $1,200 per attendee. We will be collecting $1,000 up front and resolving the balance after the trip is complete and all finances are in. Scouts should also bring enough cash to buy souvenirs and supplies at the Tooth of Time Traders at Philmont: http://www.toothoftimetraders.com/ for details.
Equipment Checklist: Each scout has been provided with a Guidebook To Adventure for Philmont 2015. This guidebook includes valuable information about what to expect on our trek this summer. Much of the information in this packet is taken from this guide. Scouts are encouraged to read the guide and become familiar with the information it presents. A guide to personal equipment beings on page 18 and should be used as a packing list. Expect rain every afternoon. Furthermore, we will hike through the rain if we are not yet in camp by the time it starts (lightening hazard notwithstanding). A lightweight base layer of synthetic material and a waterproof shell are strongly recommended. Denim jeans are discouraged. When wet, denim becomes heavy and does not provide insulation. Lightweight synthetic clothing repels water, dries quickly and provides insulation even while wet. All gear should be packed in a manner that it will not get wet in the event of rain encountered on the trail. All trek members will be required to carry at least 4 liters of water. If a scout has less than 4 liters, he will be required to purchase additional water containers before being allowed on the trail. The Boy-Led Troop: Empowering boys to be leaders is the core of Scouting. Scouts learn by doing, and what they do is lead their patrols and their troop. The boys themselves develop a troop s program, then take responsibility for figuring out how they will achieve their goals. Virtually no other youth program provides a similar opportunity, where a young man takes responsibility for five to ten to thirty boys, and through the struggle of leadership, he grows in mental clarity and character in the process. Boys enter the Boy Scouts as squirrelly kids, and exit as accomplished, competent, and respected young men. From an adult s perspective, watching the planning process of a Scout event, a process executed by youth, will look fraught with mis-steps, halfcommunications, hesitations, and questionable decisions. And, at times, situations will have the appearance of a lack of supervision. Please exercise your calm patience to allow their learning process to occur, giving them wide latitude to make mistakes, correct and learn from them. The Scout leaders (Senior Patrol Leader) review the plans with the Scoutmaster (or Assistant Scoutmaster) prior to the event or meeting, and then they take charge of the. After the event, they meet again with the Scoutmaster to reflect on their success, effectiveness, and on the experience they provided for the rest of the Scouts. Then, they see what can be improved for next time. Please remember, that in Boy Scouts, the adults are not the leaders. The Senior Patrol Leader and the Patrol Leaders are the leaders. Therefore, the adults must, as much as possible, defer all leading to the Scouts who are the leaders. You, as a parent, will see many opportunities for improvement among the boys methods. Please feel free to bring these to the attention of the Scoutmaster. Then he will encourage the Scout leader (or in some cases, insist) that they make the adjustments for better results.
BOY SCOUT TROOP 8 Boy Scouts of America, Benicia, CA 94510 PARENT CONSENT/PERMISSION FORM Name of Scout Description of Activity: HAT Philmont Backpacking Depart: Friday, July 31, 2015, 4:00am, Community Center Return: Saturday, August 8, 2015, late afternoon, Community Center In consideration of the benefits to be derived, and in view of the fact that Boy Scouts of America is an educational organization, membership in which is voluntary, and having full confidence that every precaution will be taken to ensure the safety and well being of my son(s)/ward(s) during this activity or trip, I hereby agree to his (their) participation and waive all claims against the leaders of this activity or trip, officers, agents, and representatives of the Boy Scouts of America. In case of Emergency, I understand every effort will be made to contact me. In an event that I cannot be reached, I hereby give my permission to the physician selected by the adult leader in charge to secure proper treatment, which may include dentistry, hospitalization, anesthesia, surgery, or injections of medication for the above mentioned Scout at the nearest hospital or doctor/dentist. In the event of an emergency, or need for medical treatment, the troop unit leader of the activity has my permission to obtain medical treatment for the above- mentioned Scout at the nearest hospital or doctor, at my expense, if our doctor is not readily available, and as restricted on the Emergency Data Sheet on file with the Troop, or as indicated below. Parent s Signature Parent s Name Address: Telephone: ( ) Date: In case of emergency, I can be reached at any time during this activity at the following phone numbers: ( ) or ( ) Name of family doctor Family doctor s telephone number ( ) This Scout is highly sensitive or allergic to What, if any, medication is this Scout taking? Special instructions for this medication Please advise the trek leader of any special medical needs. The trek leader reserves the final authority to carry and administer this medication. Please use the space below for additional medical information the activity leader should be aware of. Medical Insurance Information: Company Policy Number Control No. Other Note: A mandatory "shake down" meeting may be held at the discretion of the trek leader. Any scout not attending the meeting will not be allowed on the trek, unless prior arrangements are made with the trek leader.
Blue Sky Adventures, Inc. RELEASE OF LIABILITY The undersigned participant (the Participant ) acknowledges that participation in any activities (the Activities ) organized by or made available through Blue Sky Adventures, Inc. ( Blue Sky ) is potentially dangerous, involves the risk of serious injury, property damage, property loss and/or death, and could result in the Participant incurring direct, indirect or consequential costs or damages such as medical costs and travel expenses (including costs associated with missed flights). The Participant hereby assumes full responsibility for all such risks arising out of participation in the Activities, and hereby releases and agrees to hold harmless and indemnify Blue Sky and each of its shareholders, employees and agents from all liability for any and all costs, expenses, losses and damages incurred by the Participant arising out of participation in the Activities. The Participant acknowledges that this Release of Liability is binding and has been freely and voluntarily entered into without any inducement, assurance or guarantee. Further, it is the Participant s intent that this instrument act as a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law. Print Participant Name Participant s Signature Age Date: Participant s E-mail Address TO BE COMPLETED BY PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN IF THE PARTICIPANT IS A MINOR I am the parent or legal guardian of the above-named Participant and am signing this Release of Liability on behalf of the Participant, who is a minor child. I have read this Release of Liability, am familiar with its terms and legal consequences, and fully understand that by my signature below I have given up substantial rights. I acknowledge that this Release of Liability is binding, and it has been freely and voluntarily entered into by me without any inducement, assurance or guarantee. Further, it is my intent that this instrument act as a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law, and I agree to hold harmless and indemnify Blue Sky and each of its shareholders, employees and agents from all liability for any and all costs, expenses, losses and damages incurred by the Participant arising out of participation in the Activities. Print Parent or Legal Guardian Name Parent or Legal Guardian Signature Relationship to Participant Date: