hiker statue

Hiker statue at Philmont's Base Camp
near the Logistics building.

Tracking your crew's progress against the Crew Preparation Checklist will assure you have done everything necessary to prepare for your adventure.

OTHER IMPORTANT DATES
2027 Contingent/Crew Selection Process
December 9, 2025 (Tuesday) 7:00pm

2026 Watchu Mountain Adventure Fast Pass certification night
April 14, 2026 (Tuesday) 7:00-9:00pm

Both held at the Patriots' Path Council office
Patriot's Path Council Service Center, 1 Saddle Road, Cedar Knolls, NJ

Thusday February 20, 2025 7:30pm to 9:30pm - Agenda
Patriot's Path Council Service Center, 1 Saddle Road, Cedar Knolls, NJ

All adult advisors for each crew should attend.

Each crew MUST turn in applications and deposits for all members of your crew before or at the start of this orientation.  We are assuming all crews will do so, but in the event one or more crews do not, the remaining crews will have the option of changing to a more preferred contingent.  This process is described in detail below, and the main point is this: if your crew did not get its #1 ranked continent assignment, you MAY have the opportunity to change to a more preferred contingent. BUT, if offered a more preferred contingent Saturday morning, you MUST decide on the spot whether to accept it or stay in the contingent you were assigned to the night of the lottery.

The orientation will concentrate on the first phase of the Watchu Experience, from now until September. This is the time to begin building your crew into a team, raising funds (both on an individual and crew basis) for your Watchu Experience and Philmont trek, and training.

We look forward to seeing all of the adult advisors at this breifing. Should the weather turn bad, an e-mail will be sent by 5:00pm advising whether the Orientation is still on, or being postponed.

Scout uniforms are expected at all briefings.

Process to Re-assign Contingent Allocations if a Crew Fails to Submit Applications and Deposits

Any crew failing to turn in applications and deposits (a minimum of 8, divided between youth and adults as specified on the Crew Application you turned in to participate in the lottery to assign contingent allocations) WILL forfeit their contingent allocation.

Several crews in the second half of the lottery likely did not receive their preferred contingent assignment.  If any crew(s) fails to submit the necessary applications and deposits, the first order of business at the Orientation will be to allow crews the option to change to a more preferred contingent/travel dates.  IF A MORE PREFERRED CONTINGENT IS AVAILABLE, CREWS MUST DECIDE ON THE SPOT IF THEY WISH TO CHANGE FROM THEIR CURRENT ASSIGNED CONTINGENT.  Otherwise, they will remain in their current contingent.  Understand that this has the potential to "snow ball" - if a crew opts to switch, THEIR contingent allocation is then available.  If another crew then switches, the second crew's contingent allocation is then available.

Also understand that this is not another lottery - the order drawn on the night of the lottery will be used.  It also is not an opportunity to change your rankings of the five contingents - the order shown on your crew application will be used.  It only is an opportunity for each crew that did not get their #1 contingent preference to change to a more preferred (though not necessarily their first choice) contingent, if one is available.

After going through the crews with current lottery assignments, any open crew allocations in contingents will be offered to crews in the order of the Waiting List developed the night of the lottery, followed by crew submitting Crew Applications after the lottery deadline in the order they were received.

 

 


2026 Contingent

May 3, 2025 (Saturday) 8:00am to 2:00pm
Watchu Advisor Outdoor Skills

October 14, 2025 (Tuesday) 7:30 to 9:55pm - Agenda

January 14, 2026 (Wednesday) 7:30 to 9:55pm - Agenda

March 10, 2026 (Tuesday) 7:30 to 9:30pm - Agenda

June 10, 2026 (Wednesday) 7:30 to 9:55pm - Agenda

2027 Contingent

May 2, 2026 (Saturday) 8:00am to 2:00pm
Watchu Advisor Outdoor Skills

October 13, 2026 (Tuesday) 7:30 to 9:55pm - Agenda

January 13, 2027 (Wednesday) 7:30 to 9:55pm - Agenda

March 9, 2027 (Tuesday) 7:30 to 9:30pm - Agenda

June 9, 2027 (Wednesday) 7:30 to 9:55pm - Agenda


Bring your youth Crew Chief to the final briefing in June.

All in person briefings are held at Patriot's Path Council Service Center, 1 Saddle Road, Cedar Knolls, NJ

All crew advisors should attend, wearing full, official BSA uniforms (unofficially called Class A), with no "look-alikes" or exceptions.


2026 (29th annual): May 1, 2026 (Friday) 5:00pm to May 3, 2026 (Sunday) 1:00pm

2027 (30th annual): April 30, 2027 (Friday) 5:00pm to May 2, 2027 (Sunday) 1:00pm

Camp Wheeler, Mt. Allamuchy Scout Reservation.
GPS coordinates (entrance road): 40° 55.004 North, 74° 46.033 West
or in UTM at (NAD 27) 18 T 519603 E, 4529327 N
Friday/Early Saturday Schedule for all crews
Sample Saturday-Sunday Schedule – note the actual schedule varies crew by crew

All crew members should attend the entire weekend, wearing full, official BSA uniforms (unofficially called Class A), with no "look-alikes" or exceptions.

Travel Dates

Airline flight information will be provided at the June Advisor Briefing.

Philmont
Expedition
Depart for
Colorado
Arrive at
Philmont
Return to
New Jersey
2026
626 June 24 June 26 July 8
717 July 14 July 17 July 29
2027
701 June 29 July 1 July 13
702 June 30 July 2 July 14
715 July 13 July 15 July 27
High Adventure Committee Meetings, Patriots' Path Council Office, Cedar Knolls
4th Tuesday of month, 7:00 to 9:00pm
September 23, 2025
October 28, 2025
November 28, 2025
December 9, (Watchu Selection Process)
January 27, 2026
February 24, 2026
March 24, 2026
April 28, 2026
May 26, 2026
June 23, 2026

Advisor Briefings, Patriots' Path Council Office, Cedar Knolls
2026 crews
Tuesday October 14, 2025, 7:30 to 9:55pm
Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 7:30 to 9:55pm
Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 7:30 to 9:55pm
Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 7:30 to 9:55pm
2027 crews
Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 7:30 to 9:55pm
Wednesday, January 13, 2027, 7:30 to 9:55pm
Tuesday, March 9, 2027, 7:30 to 9:55pm
Wednesday, June 9, 2027, 7:30 to 9:55pm

Watchu Selection Process, Patriots' Path Council Office, Cedar Knolls
2027 crews - Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 7:00pm

Advisor Orientation, Patriots' Path Council Office, Cedar Knolls
2027 crews - Thursday, February 9, 2026, 7:30 to 9:30pm

Fast Pass Night, Patriots' Path Council Office, Cedar Knolls
2026 crews - April 14, 2026, 7:00 to 9:00pm

Beaver / Badger Days, Watchu Mountain, MASR
Saturday, April 25, 2026, 9:00am to 3:00pm
Saturday, April 24, 2027, 9:00am to 3:00pm

Watchu Mountain Adventure, Watchu Mountain, MASR
2026 crews (29th year) - Friday May 1 to Sunday May 3, 2026
2027 crews (30th year) - Friday April 30 to Sunday May 2, 2027

Watchu Advisor Outdoor Skills, Watchu Mountain, MASR
2026 crews - Saturday May 2, 2025
2027 crews - Saturday May 1, 2026

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