Shown in this picture in the front row is Phillip Jackson and in the back row from left to right are Jeremy Couts, Alan Kohart, Michael Kohart, Brian Matson, Shawn Jackson, Luke Jackson, and Travis Couts.
A crew of teenage Scouts and their leaders went on a life changing summer trek through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. Philmont covers 214 square miles of vast wilderness with trails that climb from 6,500 feet to as high as 12,441 feet. During their trek Boy Scout Troop # 315 hiked nearly 100 miles over 12 days.
The group of Scouts and their advisors carried everything they needed to survive during the trek on their backs while hiking from camp to camp. They participated in backcountry programs along the way including rock climbing, mountain biking, 30-06 rifle shooting/reloading and horseback riding. The trek included a conservation project where the Scouts learned and participated in the upkeep of Philmont’s ecosystem. Along the trek, Scouts endured tough challenges including backpacking in bear and mountain lion territory, steep climbs, and often-inclement weather.
“They may meet only one other group of Scouts on the trail in an entire day of hiking,” according to Backpacker Magazine. “Even in the most crowded destinations, each Scout group camps in isolation, out of sight and sound of all other groups.” The crew made what amounts to a Scouting pilgrimage with their trip to Philmont. Philmont Scout Ranch is the Boy Scouts of America’s premier high adventure camp and the largest youth camp in the world serving nearly one million participants since 1938.
Area individuals and businesses including Shilderink Dairy, MTJ Farms, Kiwanis, Black Swamp Arbor, Paulding County Area Foundation, Phil Recker, Arend-Laukhuf-Stoller, Mike Arend, and Lafarge contributed to the scouts’ fund raising efforts. Interviews and more information are available from troop 315 upon request.
