Yes, not only might you have the opportunity to attend Philmont in 2008, but you might be one of a select few Scouts to join the first ever 2008 Philmont International Scouting Trek with Scouts from around the world - and it's FREE!
The International Division of the Boy Scouts of America is organizing the first 2008 Philmont International Scouting Trek to be held June 18 to June 29, 2008. The ages of eligible Scouts are 16 to 19 years (Scouts and Venturers) by the date of the trek (June 18, 2008.)
Selection of participants for this very special event will be made on the basis of the best essay written with the topic "As a Scout, I could convince more young people from my community (and surrounding communities) to join Scouting by organizing a membership recruitment plan that included these important steps/elements." The local council will select a single Scout based on the best essay written. Essays must be limited to 1,500 words in length. The BSA International Division will choose the top 10 essays from around the world and the top 10 essays from the USA. This will define the 20-member team that will be invited to Philmont. All expenses will be paid by the Boy Scouts of America, to include all domestic and international travel.
This special Scouting event will be conducted in conjunction with the International Division's International Scouting Conference. The Philmont International Scouting Trek will be a trek/forum to allow discussions based on the topic of the essay. At the conclusion of the trek, the Scouts will give a report to the International Scouting Conference based on the discussions they had during their time together.
Deadline for essay submissions is January 19, 2008, and they should be turned in at the Scout Service Center. Please supply your contact information - name, address, telephone, e-mail - with your essay.
Did we mention that it is FREE! Don't delay, start today!
You can contact the council international representative, Dale Copeland, at dale@copelandappliance.com with any questions.