June 8, 2021 (Cincinnati, OH) – In June 2021, nine local Scouts completed a high adventure trek as part of the Dan Beard Council, BSA contingent to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. The Council contingent, designed to give youth from smaller troops and crews the opportunity to participate in high adventure opportunities, were comprised of six Scouts and three adults from troops and crews throughout the Dan Beard Council which covers the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area.

Philmont Scout Ranch, the Boy Scouts of America’s premier high adventure base, challenges Scouts and Venturers in the rugged outdoors. Participants enjoy exploring the more than 200 square miles of rugged New Mexico wilderness, which includes a variety of activities over a 9-day trek at Philmont.

The crew left from the Scout Achievement Center, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Saturday, June 12, 2021 driving to New Mexico, stopping overnight at Scout Camp Brommelsick in Lawrence, Kansas to rest. The excited and anxious Scouts and Scouters arrived at Philmont Scout Ranch on Sunday, June 13, 2021. This was the cumulation of 6-months of recruiting, training, and shakedown hikes which the crew performed to prepare for the 34-mile, 9-day trek at Philmont. Planning treks included camping, cooking, and hiking at East Fork Lake State Park, Caesar Creek State Park, the Dan Beard Riverwalk Trail, and the We-Hin-Ah-Pay trail at Camp Friedlander located in Loveland, Ohio.

During the 9-day Philmont trek, in addition to backpacking, the crew was able to participate in many of the programs offered at this Scout Ranch, including using a handcar on the railroad at Metcalf Station staff camp, viewing Indian Petroglyphs at Indian Writings staff camp, blacksmithing at Ponil staff camp, shooting 50 Cal Black Powder Rifles at Miranda Staff Camp and summiting Mt. Baldi, which is at 12,441 feet above sea-level–Philmont’s tallest peak. The crew also spent time at the National Scouting Museum while at Base Camp.

On the drive back to Ohio, the crew stopped at the Eagle Memorial Fountain in Kansas City, Kansas, and the Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis Missouri. In addition to the Philmont Arrowhead patch, the crew earned the National Historic Trails, the 50-Mile Award, and the Philmont Duty to God patch. They also completed requirements for the Camping, Cooking, First Aid, Hiking, Backpacking, Wilderness Survival and Scouting Heritage Merit Badges.

Everyone who were a part of the Dan Beard Council, BSA contingent had one of the most incredible experiences of their lifetime. See some of the photos from their adventure below.