Itineraries & Crew Positions
Crew Positions
Crew leadership positions should be determined well in advance of your trip to Philmont. Each role plays a critical element in helping the crew to succeed. You may want to hold a meeting to determine who in the crew will be the best fit for each position. Those who are selected will receive an additional element of training the night before they hit the trail.
Crew Leader
Responsible for organizing the crew, assigning duties, making decisions, and recognizing the capabilities of each crew member. He/she leads by example and practices servant leadership to allow the crew to have an enjoyable and successful trek. The Crew Leader should have leadership capabilities that are respected by everyone and should be selected prior to the first shakedown hike. Successful Crew Leaders exhibit the following traits: positive attitude, attentiveness to all crew members’ needs, and the ability to identify and resolve conflicts before they develop into larger issues.
Wilderness Pledge Guia: Champion of Conservation and Crew Responsibility
The Wilderness Pledge Guia plays a key leadership role in promoting responsible outdoor ethics within the crew. They help ensure that all members understand and uphold the Philmont Wilderness Pledge and Leave No Trace principles throughout the trek.
With guidance from the Ranger, the Wilderness Pledge Guia helps the crew complete the requirements for the Wilderness Pledge Achievement Award. They also assist in enforcing Philmont’s bear safety procedures, helping the crew stay safe while minimizing impact on the environment. Through their example and leadership, the Wilderness Pledge Guia inspires the crew to be thoughtful stewards of the backcountry.
The Philmont Wilderness Pledge reads as follows:
- Through good Scout camping, I pledge to preserve the beauty
and splendor of the Philmont wilderness. I commit myself to:
1. An absence of litter and graffiti
2. Respect for wildlife
3. Conservation and proper use of water
4. Respect for trails and trail signs
5. Proper use of campsites
The seven principles of Leave No Trace are:
- 1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
The Wilderness Pledge Guia should be selected by the crew prior to the first shakedown hike and should help the crew follow these two wilderness ethics both at home and at Philmont.
Lead Advisor: Guiding the Trek, Supporting the Team
The Lead Advisor plays a vital role in creating a successful and safe Philmont experience for the entire crew. As the primary adult leader, the Lead Advisor coordinates preparation efforts and works closely with the Crew Leader, Chaplain’s Aide, and Wilderness Pledge Guia to mentor and empower them in their leadership roles.
Advisors are not there to lead the trek—but to coach, guide, and support youth leadership, helping them grow in confidence and responsibility. Equally important, Advisors ensure the safety and well-being of every crew member by overseeing:
- First aid and medical needs
- Proper water purification
- Stove use and campfire safety
- Emergency response and decision-making
In addition, Advisors help maintain positive crew dynamics, mediate conflicts when needed, and uphold youth protection policies. Together, Advisors form a support system that allows Scouts to lead, grow, and thrive on the trail.
Crew Dynamics and Leadership
Every crew undergoes a transformation during their trek as they move through the four stages of group dynamics: forming, storming, norming, and performing. Some crews move through these stages quicker than others: just because a crew is at a certain stage does not mean the crew cannot revert back to a previous stage. The key to anything relating to group dynamics is communication. Discussing “Roses, Thorns, and Buds” every night before bed is a great way to hear everyone out and discover crew issues to address before they blow up out of control.
Forming
The first stage, recognizable by excitement and the hidden fears of crew members not knowing what comes next. Crew members may still be getting to know one another and people will be hesitant to come out of their shell. The members within a crew should ask their basic “get to know you” questions in order to find similarities and common ground. This is especially true for crews consisting of youth from multiple home units.
Storming
The second stage, occurring when people begin to come out of their shell and do not sugar coat any communication as they did in the forming stage. Different personalities begin to clash and conflict usually arises. For some crews this stage takes about a half hour to get through, for others it can take days. The best way to learn from this stage and move on to the norming stage is through good and honest communication. The basic “get to know you” questions from the forming stage can be vital to the transformation in this storming stage because the crew can find similarities amongst themselves and can build off of that rather than be torn apart by their differences.
Norming
Once the crew gets all the kinks out of the system, they move on to the norming stage and begin to set the groundwork for the rest of the trek. Personal goals that may have been chosen earlier in the trek need to be revisited now that everyone has a clearer picture of what their trek is like. Once everyone’s personal goals are set, the crew needs to determine crew goals that meet the expectations of every crew member and how
they will work towards them. It is best to come to a consensus when determining crew goals since people generally support ideas they helped create.
Performing
All the crew members are comfortable around each other and know their specific role within the crew. Everyone knows the crew goals and how to achieve them. Trust is exhibited throughout the crew and efficiency is at its peak. Constant communication and a servant leadership demeanor are demonstrated by all members within the crew.
Philmont Preparation Sessions: Episode 2 - Packing for a Philmont Trek
Philmont Preparation Sessions: Episode 6 - Fitting a Backpack
Philmont Preparation Sessions: Episode 8 - Layering For Backpacking
Philmont Preparation Sessions: Episode 3 - Footwear For Philmont Treks