Philmont Scout Ranch Rodger Morris Philmont is a working cattle ranch which operates year round as such. It serves as a Scout High Adventure Base from mid June through early September. Scouts and Scouters from all countries are welcome at Philmont. They are also welcome at all of the other High Adventure bases owned and operated by the Boy Scouts of America. The short descriptions of these High Adventure bases from the "The Boy Scout Handbook", tenth edition, second printing are as follows: "NATIONAL HIGH ADVENTURE BASES For real excitement beyond your council, it's hard to beat the national high-adventure bases of the Boy Scouts of America. Designed for older Boy Scouts and Explorers, each base offers the training, equipment, and support you need to set out on wilderness treks that challenge your skills, strength, and willpower. PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH. Explore the rugged high country of northern New Mexico on a backpacking trek, as a member of a conservation crew, or on an advanced wilderness adventure. Covering more than 137,000 acres (Rodger's note: about 548 square kilometers, or 54800 hectares, for those of you on the metric system) of mountains, forests, prairies, and streams, Philmont is an inspiring backpacker's paradise. Staffed camps in the backcountry offer program opportunities including rock climbing, blackpowder rifle shooting, living history, horseback riding, archeology, conservation, and many others. FLORIDA NATIONAL HIGH ADVENTURE SEA BASE. During voyages aboard watercraft and sailboats, you can explore the clear waters of the Florida Keys and Bahamas. Snorkel and SCUBA (Rodger's note: SCUBA is an acronym that stands for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) dive amid pillars of coral surrounded by brilliantly colored tropical fish. Explore a primitive island, search for the wreckage of old ships, cast your bait for sailfish in the Gulf Stream waters, practice windsurfing, and study the marine life of North America's only living coral reef. NORTHERN TIER NATIONAL HIGH ADVENTURE PROGRAMS. The Sioux and Chippewa once traveled this northern lake country. French-Canadian trappers followed, their canoes heavily laden with furs. Headquartered in the beautiful Lake Superior-Quetico Provincial Park boundary waters of Minnesota and Ontario, and in northern Wisconsin, the Northern Tier offers wilderness canoeing expeditions and programs featuring sailing, fishing, and winter camping. ADIRONDACK ADVENTURE AREA. The scenic mountains, swift streams, and still lakes of Adirondack State Park provide plenty of challenges for high- adventure trekkers. More than six million acres (Rodger's note: two million, four hundred thousand hectares) of scenic wilderness are available for backpacking, canoeing, fishing, whitewater rafting, and a variety of other activities offered at several Scout camps located in the Adirondack Mountains. An association of 17 Boy Scout councils has developed and operated this unique program." ... The three dots signify text I omitted concerning our High Adventure base in Maine, which is being closed after this summer. You can get further information on all these bases by writing our National Council office at: Boy Scouts of America 1325 Walnut Hill Lane Irving, TX 75015-2079 Put "Attn: High Adventure Base Information Request" on the envelope to help the staff route your letter to the right people. Our national office has over 2000(!) employees. I hope this has been of some assistance to you. Rodger Morris, Scoutmaster, Troop 225, Ventura County Council -!- Blue Wave/Opus v2.05 [NR] ! Origin: STARBASE BBS-WOC'n with Scouts-(209)339-0220 (1:208/302.0)