Boy Scout Troop 47 visits New Mexico

From staff reports
Published: July 30, 2008

Fourteen members of Boy Scout Troop 47, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with four of their leaders, were among 31 scouts representing the Stonewall Jackson Area Council on a “high” adventure to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M.
Philmont has been operating for 69 years and is one of three bases offering the adventure for Boy Scouts. The other bases are located in the Florida Keys and the Northern Tier High Adventure in Minnesota. Philmont offers year-round programs with approximately 20,000 scouts attending in the summer.
Scouting years are spent preparing for such an adventure, which usually occurs only once in a scout’s career. They prepare for mountain climbing, repelling, rock climbing, white water rafting, homesteading, dealing with excessive heat and cold, protection from wild animals and survival on the trail.
Eleven days were spent on the trail. They learned that water is a precious commodity and that it is important to work together to overcome obstacles. They experienced desert living, hiking 58 miles through the north and south country, rock climbing and white water rafting on the Rio Grande. They encountered bears, mountain lions and pestering chipmunks. They also learned to hang their food high enough to be out a bear’s reach. Activities held each day at camp included skeet and military shooting and horseback riding.
The highlight of the trip for scouts and leader alike was the trek up Tooth of Time Mountain to see the unforgettable view. All of New Mexico and a portion of Texas can be seen from that point.
According to troop leaders, the main purpose of such an adventure is to teach scouts to work together to overcome obstacles and to develop team spirit. For the scouts, these are memorable experiences that will last a lifetime.
The majority of financial support comes from the Apple Dumpling project sponsored by the church to benefit the Stonewall Jackson Area Council BSA. This project is held each October in conjunction with Waynesboro Apple Days.