Rugged terrain, amazing treks and high adventure are all part of the Philmont Scout Ranch lore. It’s why more than 20,000 visitors call the 220-square-mile New Mexico wilderness playground home for a few days each year.
But there’s another side of Philmont that might not get the attention it deserves, says Amy Hutcherson, director of the Philmont Training Center. Philmont is great for families. Kids of all ages. Families of all sizes. Scouts. Even families not in Scouting — yet.
“Philmont is absolutely for everyone,” Hutcherson says. “It’s not just for those who are old enough to go on a high-adventure trek. We want families to know they can come here together and experience the magic of Philmont in a way that fits them.”
It’s time to start making those summer plans, and Hutcherson says a family trip to Philmont is equal parts adventure, education and connection. Whether you attend a conference at the Philmont Training Center or sign up for Family Adventure Camp, the experience is designed so every member of the family experiences something meaningful and fun. Check out these options for summer:
- Family Adventure Camp: Philmont is making this camp more accessible than ever for Cub Scout families — registered Cub Scouts receive a 50% discount on their registration. The camp features horse rides, a high rope challenge course, crafts, games and an overnight camping trip in the Philmont backcountry.
- Cub Scout Family Fun at Philmont: Scouting, adventure and the spirit of the Wild West come to life in the rugged beauty of New Mexico. And this summer, Cub Scout families get a special discount.
- Kids N’ Kin and Silverados: This program is designed for family members of those attending a Philmont Training Center conference. While the adults are in class, the rest of the family can hike, craft, climb, enjoy range and target activities, and more. These options are broken down by age group.
- Small Fry (6 months-5 years): Philmont has a daycare center that features its own bathrooms, playground, kitchen, play space and a nursery. Children participate in age-appropriate crafts, playtime, outside time, and trips to the pony ring and farmyard.
- Trappers (6-10): This program features hikes, time at the climbing wall, a visit to the pony ring and farmyard, trips to the craft center, and more. Philmont provides transportation to get youngsters to the trailheads.
- Loggers (11-13): Kids who are 10 years old and have completed the fifth grade can attend this program. It features hikes, time at the range and target-activity area, a climbing wall, and an overnight campout.
- Miners (14-17): Kids who are 13 and have completed the eighth grade can participate. It offers some challenging all-day hikes, a high rope and climbing course, range and target activities, and an overnight campout at a Philmont backcountry camp with an evening campfire.
- Silverados (Adults): While your young ones are in class, enjoy adult-focused activities while making new friends in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
It’s like an early introduction to high adventure,” says Philmont marketing manager Kate Warrick. “You get to experience nature and all the fun parts of Scouting but in a way designed for your age and your family.”
For Warrick, the impact of a Philmont family experience is personal. She first came to Philmont as a child when her father attended training. Years later, she still remembers the small, joyful moments that made the trip unforgettable. Now serving on the Philmont staff, she’s watching a new generation — including her own family members — prepare to create similar memories.
“My sister is bringing her kids this summer, and they’re going to be able to do age-appropriate activities, go on small hikes and just experience the outdoors in a really fun way,” Warrick says. “It’s about being together and having those shared experiences.”
Philmont Scout Ranch marketing manager Kate Warrick (sitting, third from the left)
enjoys summer camp with her family as a kid in 2004. Photo: Kate Warrick.
