Family is here. Time to play!
Text by Kate Warrick; photographs by Kate Warrick.
This year, my family visited Philmont as part of the Family Adventure Camp program. My sister Bonnie registered two adults and three kids for the daily family pass at the Philmont Training Center (PTC). Signing up for 3 days of action-packed fun for the whole family. As a staff member, I got to follow them around and take pictures while seeing the kiddos make memories at Philmont that would last a lifetime, just like I did with my sister as kids.
Our family photo at Philmont in 2004
When they arrived at Philmont, my family explored their tent. My sister opted to book the deluxe tents not only for the ceiling fan that helps keep the afternoon heat at bay, but also because of the bunk beds in the back. My nephews called the bunk bed room a cave and played cave explorers, while their parents moved everything in. Remarkably, there was plenty of room for all of their kid stuff, including space for the baby’s portable crib.
The first night started with the opening campfire, a kid-friendly show put on by the staff to introduce families and conference attendees to Philmont. A beautiful view of the Tooth and Urraca Mesa and the sun setting served as the backdrop to our first evening of fun. Lots of giggling was had over the bear and dinosaurs song, which also taught us about bear safety. Sheriff Jessie-Jessie had a face-off with Rayado Robber, who stole the agenda for the week, with rock, paper, and scissors.
The next morning (day 1) at 8:30 after breakfast, we hopped onto a school bus for a shuttle to the backcountry to hike Lovers Leap Trail, a 3-mile loop trip. Andy, age 4, opted to ride carried in a Philmont Osprey child carrier. Ray, age 6, was able to hike the whole way; he did get a bit “tired” until he realized he was halfway at “Halfway Rock,” then got “so very excited” to arrive at Lovers Leap. The hike is always worth the view, and we got to hear the story about how the rocks got their name, told by the PTC staff at the top.
After lunch in the dining hall (chicken sandwiches and SO MUCH JUICE), Ray, Andy, and their dad, Riley, hiked to the archery range, where Ray realized his new passion for archery due to his strong ability to hit the target. He had a blast! This allowed him bragging rights for the day and made him the most accomplished archer of the family. Andy was too young to do archery, so he got to watch and draw with sidewalk chalk as he hung out with the amazing staff.
My sister hung back that afternoon with the baby at the Small Fry Center, where they played and cooled off from the afternoon heat. We regrouped after archery and had a well-deserved ice cream sandwich that we purchased from the Craft Center.
Next up! Craft Center. After the boys claimed they wanted to do every craft in the building, they officially settled on pottery painting. Andy opted for one color, creating a perfectly yellow dinosaur, making sure not just to coat it with the required 3 coats of paint, but the 7 he deemed necessary.
The day ended with dinner and Jr. Wrangler, where the kids got to pet the ponies and play with farm animals, and a beautiful sunset.
Day 2, Bonnie’s and my parents, Ray and Andy’s grandparents, showed up to hang for the rest of the visit. Bonnie and Grandma stayed behind at Small Fry with the baby. Riley, Grandpa, Ray, and Andy set off to do the Dino hike, a 2.25-mile (round-trip) hike to the first recorded Tyrannosaurus Rex footprints in the world, now one of two recorded. It was perfect timing for Andy’s dinosaur phase and for having just painted a T-Rex in the Craft Center. Though Ray insisted that his dinosaur days were behind him and that he was only into Star Wars now, he came back with a new passion for dino tracks.
The afternoon brought slingshots and soft-serve ice cream, and a National Scouting Museum tour. Ray was having a great time shooting pellets at the target with Grandpa. He missed about 100 times before he finally hit the target. When he hit the target, the staff looked at him and said, “Wow, you are so good at this.” He looked up with a huge grin and said, “I am great, aren’t I?” A little encouragement goes a long way.
The day ended with Western Night, lassoing, face painting, snow cones, dancing, family pictures, and looking at stars through a telescope.
Day 3, the last morning, was spent shooting BB Guns and taking a short tour at the Rayado Kit Carson living history museum, where they learned about Kit Carson and Lucien Maxwell and what it was like to live in the Wild West in 1848.
After lunch, enchiladas, there was time for a quick nap at the Small Fry Center before tie-dye. Bonnie made a tote bag while the boys did T-shirts.
All in all, it was a good family trip packed with activities where the kids could run around, play, and have no limit to their juice intake during meals. It was exciting to see the kids experience the magical place I got to when I was a kid and to pass these adventures down to the next generation.
If you want to book your next summer trip to Philmont’s Family Adventure Camp, registration opens on October 1. Click here to learn more!
