Established in 1938, Philmont Scout Ranch has offered wilderness adventures to over a million Scouts from all across the country. Of the 30+ backcountry camps at Philmont, only the staffed camp at Harlan provides the opportunity for Scouts to reload shotshells and then proceed to immediately shoot those shells on the shotgun range. Unfortunately, this facility had to be closed when infrastructure was lost in the 2018 Ute Park Fire, and with continued support from The NRA Foundation in 2024, Philmont was able to reopen the camp.

 

Range and target activities have always been popular at Philmont, and shotgun shooting is no exception. Philmont is the only facility in Scouting America where Scouts have the opportunity to participate in reloading programs. Since its recent reopening nearly 5,000 Scouts have visited Harlan, with almost a quarter of them having a first-time shooting experience during their time at the camp and nearly all of them having a first-time reloading experience. The support provided by The NRA Foundation enabled the Philmont facilities team to reestablish the camp by rebuilding essential water systems, solar electricity, and other infrastructure lost in the fire.

 

Philmont is blessed to have such wonderful support and friends across the range and target activities industry.  These longstanding relationships make it possible for Philmont to provide range and target activities programs to tens of thousands of participants every year and enable Philmont as the exclusive reloading program in Scouting America. Through partnerships like these, our programs will continue to thrive. Philmont Scout Ranch gratefully acknowledges this generous support from The NRA Foundation!