Event Dates

Saturday, March 16, 2019 to Saturday, April 6, 2019
Please note - Individual session dates are associated with each session

Location

Philmont Scout Ranch
47 Caballo Rd, Cimarron, NM 87714

Contacts

Your Chance to Help Philmont Get Ready for the 2019 Camping Season

Philmont and the Order of the Arrow are excited to offer OA PhilBreak 2019. This event will consist of a full week’s work restoring Philmont’s burned and unburned forests. Actual work will include slope stabilization projects, such as log erosion barrier and wattle installation, re-vegetation and forest thinning. By March 2019, the Conservation Department will have the exact details and locations ready to go. Please note these projects are heavily dependent on the weather and road conditions. Should we not be able to do fire restoration there will be other service opportunities available to help Philmont prepare for the 2019 camping season. Only 50 slots will be open to registration per session.

Dates

We will offer three sessions. The dates are:

  • March 16–23, 2019
  • March 23-30, 2019
  • March 30-April 6, 2019

The cost is only $100. Registration is now open. The registration deadline is February 15th, 2019. Please see the Registration and Cancellation Policies at the end of this article. Lodging for the entire week will be roofed dormitory type housing at the PTC. Participants will be transported to the worksite every day. Breakfast and dinner will be at the PTC dining hall with trail lunches provided at the worksite.

Who Can Attend?

This program is available to Order of the Arrow members 16 years old and above. The minimum age is 16 years by date of participation.

Required:

Participants are required to be registered with the BSA and a member of the Order of the Arrow. The full Philmont medical form with your doctor’s approval is required. Please note, just because your doctor certifies you, it does not mean this program is for you. This PhilBreak program will require hard work, long hours, good crew spirit, and a sense of humor. This program is not leisurely. The Order of the Arrow reserves the right to return the entire registration fee of any person who would be inappropriate for this program.

Questions and Answers

  • Are we camping? No. We will spend all nights at the PTC and stay in roofed housing. You will share rooms with other Phil-breakers. We will be transported daily to the worksite.
  • Do we need a pack? Yes – a good-sized day pack or small weekend pack. Every day you will be driven to the worksite, but you’ll need to carry a trail lunch, lots of water (4-6 liters), rain gear, extra warm clothing (think layers), camera, etc.
  • Will it be cold? Probably. This is the Backcountry in early March at 8,000 – 9,000 feet. Plan on layers for your clothing.
  • Where will we be working? In the Backcountry burn area. It’s too early right now for the Conservation to pinpoint exactly where we’ll be working.
  • Are there multiple PhilBreak sessions? There are 3 Order of the Arrow PhilBreak sessions this year.
  • Can a spouse or other family member hang out at the PTC while I work every day? No.
  • Can I arrive later in the week and still participate? No
  • What happens if 30 people register before me? We will put you on a wait list. Cancellations are inevitable.
  • Tentative Schedule

    Saturday, Day 1: Arrive at Philmont during the day. You must arrive by 5 PM. No late arrivals will be allowed. If you cannot arrive by 5 PM, then you should plan on arriving on the Friday before your start date and stay in Cimarron, Taos, Raton, etc. The first Philmont provided meal will be dinner in the PTC Dining Hall. In the evening, the Conservation Department will begin the program with introductions and specific plans, gear info, advice, and general Q&A.

    Sunday, Day 2: Medical recheck, finalize plans, and eventual transport to the fire area / worksite to begin work. Approximately one-half day’s work. Breakfast and dinner at the PTC. Trail lunch in the field.

    Monday, Day 3 through Friday, Day 7: Daily transport to the fire area / worksite (A shorter work-day on Friday). Breakfast and dinner at the PTC. Trail lunch in the field.

    Friday evening, Day 7:Recognition dinner and final gathering.

    Saturday, Day 8: Depart Philmont after breakfast.

    For Further Questions

    Ben Harper at Benjamin.Harper@scouting.org or Matt Dukeman at Matt.Dukeman@Scouting.org or 972-580-2455

    Registration Policy

    • 50 slots will be filled in the order that registrations are received.
    • Visit registration.oa-bsa.org to register