The Lead Advisor in each crew will receive a packet of materials from Philmont in mid-March, including the current TREKS Itinerary Guide that includes a postcard to be returned to Philmont with the crew’s selection of the five treks that they prefer.  While crews are encouraged to review the data for the prior year’s treks in order to be familiar with routes and programs for the itineraries when TREKS arrives, that prior information CANNOT be used to select treks.  When the current year material arrives, the crew must review the new material and make the final selection of their top five preferences.

Since 2000 Philmont has offered 35 different treks each summer.

Philmont classifies treks as Challenging (called Typical prior to 2006), Rugged, Strenuous, and Super Strenuous.  In general, the higher classifications are longer and have more elevation change.  Being longer, they pass through more staffed camps and so offer more opportunity for programs.  Conversely, being longer, more time is spent on the trail hiking from place to place and less time is available to do the programs that are available.

The presentation Selecting a Great Trek - Part 2 during the January Advisor Briefing suggests a process and covers the tools available for a crew to evaluate and select a trek that meets their abilities and desires. The Trek Preparation page has links to resources in making their choices.

Philmont allows up to two crews to start any one trek each day, known as "sister crews", and it is possible for two crews to request to be sister crews. Both crews must select the same five treks, rank them in the same order, and return their postcards together (in an envelope, stapled so they don't get separated) to Philmont. They will then be assigned the highest of their trek choices that has both slots available.

The postcard should be returned to Philmont promptly (within a week or two after receipt.)  Delay increases the probability that other crews interested in the same treks will respond sooner and get their first choice and that your crew will not.  However, it is not necessarily to send the card with an overnight service or other priority means, since Cimarron is remote and actually is best served by the U.S. Postal Service.

If the trek selection card is returned to Philmont in a reasonable period of time, the vast majority (recently, about 85%) of crews get their first or second trek choice.

All treks at Philmont have the potential for qualifying for the 50-Miler Award.  However, the requirements include ten hours (per person) of conservation work.  Three of the ten hours will be earned at Philmont during the crew’s required Conservation project, but the other seven must be earned at home.  It is suggested that the additional seven hours be a part of your crew development program, and all crews are encouraged to include these additional hours to earn this desired award. Camp Allamuchy has opportunities for crews to obtain service hours. Contact the camp for potential service projects and track your service hours by downloading a tracking form.

Crews traveling with the Patriots’ Path contingents should mail back their arrival card at the same time when mailing back their trek selection card.  Review the sample post card for information to be filled in.  Consult the Calendar page for arrival dates.  Use an arrival time of approximately 9:15am by bus.  Print clearly and add the data specific to your crew, filling in every single blank.