69RoadRunner

We're not withing driving distance (VA) but are willing to pay for a flight there out of our own pockets and the troop is willing to pay the course fee.

Thank you @SmithsRow for the detailed reply.  I think we'll try to do that!

I did PASS with a few adults when I was a jasm. It’s essentially like the ranger training you get at Philmont. I didn’t find it worthwhile because it basically repeated the stuff on the Philmont YouTube channel about gear prep and usage. Since my troop was big on backpacking much of the training was redundant to what we already knew.

Did you do this at Philmont or at a location near you?  They have an orientation thing at an office in my area.

One of the other assistant scoutmasters and I saw this as a chance to get familiar with Philmont and being a mini vacation away with a chance to camp without the scouts. 

With airfare less than $200 to Denver, share a rental car it wouldn't be too expensive, too.

Can anyone tell me about the long weekend orientation for adult leaders at Philmont?  I'm looking for an overall impression and did they require you to use their gear?

Thanks!

Sounds like using a filter like a BeFree prior to using the tablets might make the water more pleasant.

I understand going along with the Philmont rules.  Forcing meals in a specific order is a bit tough to swallow, though.  (I'll show myself out)

They seem to carry car camping equipment, which is fine for car camping.  It's heavy for backpacking.

Officially Philmont recommends eating the meals in the order they are assigned. They claim it's for nutrition and needs based. Not sure if I buy it, but we followed their guidance on the matter. Often dry camps have some water source on the way to them so you don't have to hump the extra water excessively far. 

Hmmmm.  I did not know that.  While I strongly disagree with the concept of backpacking with giant pots, I get their reasoning and wouldn't challenge it.  This one I think is just something someone made up with no basis in reality.

I realize this thread is relatively old, but we're planning a 2019 Philmont trip for our troop.  Something I've read elsewhere for dry camps is to eat your cooked dinner at lunch time near a water source.  Then eat your lunch for dinner at the dry camp.

This would greatly reduce the amount of water necessary at the dry camp since you'd need none for cooking and cleanup.

Also, while I understand that Philmont mandates the use of chemical purification, would it be a good idea to take a Katadyn BeFree just to clean up murky water?

Thanks!