EXTRA!  EXTRA!

The Troop 1954
Wednesday Newsletter

Monday February 2

PHILMONT!

Folks: We've won our bid to be part of the Capitol Area Council Philmont Contingent in 2005.  We'll be going to Philmont July 3 through July 16.  Here's the complete information so far.  Note that we've got to come up with some bucks pretty soon.

The Philmont Selection Committee is pleased to inform you that Troop 1954 (Twin Valley District) has been allocated a 12-person crew slot with the 2005 Council Contingent to Philmont.  You are part of Group 2 that will travel to Philmont July 3, 2005 through July 16, 2005.  Due to the tremendous response, we have put ten crews on a waiting list.

Each Contingent crew is comprised of 12 participants.  Your crew must have no fewer than two (2) adults and no more than four (4).  If your crew will be co-ed, you must have at least one female adult (over 21).  The number of adults, combined with the number of youth (21 or younger), must total 12.  You are responsible for filling your crew and are financially responsible for payment for all 12 members of your crew.  If your crew has fewer than 12, it is your responsibility to recruit participants from other units.  If you feel you are unable to fill your allocated spaces, please contact me as quickly as possible, we may be able to help.

LEADERS AND YOUTH MUST MEET PHILMONT’S HEIGHT AND WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS (during the summer of 2003, Philmont did not allow 28 adults and 10 youth to go on the trail because their weight exceeded the guidelines).  PHILMONT STRICTLY ENFORCES THIS REQUIREMENT.  Proper registration and certification in First Aid/CPR and adult Youth Protection Training certification is also mandatory.

We will most likely hold three or four Contingent planning meetings.  You will receive notice of these by mail and/or e-mail and they will be in March, 2004; September/October, 2004; February/March, 2005; and April/May, 2005.  Please watch the Contingent website for other information regarding the trek.  You can access Contingent information at http://www.bsacac.org/philmont.

Please familiarize yourself with the financial information on the web site.  The cost of the 2005 trek is estimated to be $725 per person.  For your crew of 12, you are financially responsible for $8,700.  We are finalizing the budget for 2005 and will notify you of any changes.

Philmont has imposed a fairly stringent payment schedule on us that you need to be aware of.

Payment schedule:

NOTE:  this cost and payment schedule will be updated when the 2005 Philmont budget has been confirmed.  It is not anticipated that it will vary significantly from the above.

I look forward to having you with us on the Contingent — it is a great opportunity for all the participants.  Please feel free to call me or send me an e-mail if you have questions or if I can provide other information.