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During the January meeting of United Women in Faith at the First United Methodist Church, Troop 88 Scout Master Scott Harris addressed the ladies, giving the group details of the troops July 2025 visit to the Philmont Scout Ranch. The ranch covers 140,177 acres of rugged mountain wilderness in northeastern New Mexico and operates numerous camps across elevations from 6,500 to 12,441 feet.
The total cost of the trip was approximately $23,000. The troop was able to raise approximately $15,000 which included a donation of $1,000 from UWIF, in exchange for the troop's assistance with the group's annual Country Store events. That left approximately $600 for the individual scouts to cover.
On July 2, 2025, scouts from Troop 88 began their trip from the Pittsburgh airport and traveled to Philmont to undertake a seven-day adventure. Initially, the group spent 2 days at the Scout Hut at the United States Air Force Academy. While there, the group visited the Manitou cliff dwellings and had a tour of the Air Force Academy as well as access to the academy's gym and cafeteria, helping save on expenses.
Once the group arrived at Philmont, they stayed two days before embarking on their adventure. This stay helped the group acclimate to the increased elevation (7,000 feet). On the first day, the group had a "shake down" to ensure that the hikers had all of the items they needed – clothes, sleeping bag, water and personal gear – and weren't carrying things they didn't need.
The Philmont guide stayed with the group for two days and then the scouts were on their own. They had an itinerary indicating how far each day's hike was to be as well as a map and a compass. "Each trail crossing had markers with longitude and latitude so you could look on your map and make sure you were in the right place or find that you weren't in the right place," said Harris. The third day of the group's adventure was the most strenuous, hiking 15 miles and ascending 4,000 feet. At the end of the day, the group was at 11,500 feet.
Every two to three days, the scouts had a food station where they picked up supplies for a couple of days so that they didn't have to carry the entire seven days' worth of food with them. "The food was mostly dehydrated, processed food, a lot of granola bars and jerky, crackers, potted meat. Then the dinners were mostly dehydrated meals that you put water in," said Harris. "You got one big pot for dinner. You put the food in there and boiled your water." The food stations also had drop boxes where scouts could leave food they didn't care for and take food that other scouts had left behind.
It was important to conserve water, reusing it when possible. The disposal of food waste was also of the utmost importance due to the wildlife in the area. Uneaten food was placed in a bag and carried to the next available trash can.
In addition to the hike, the group also participated in a conservation project, working to clear cut a swath to provide a buffer zone to reduce future fire damage to the area. The 2018 Ute Park fire on the ranch destroyed 26,000 acres of forest.
"We did 53 miles and hiked over 7,000 feet up in seven days. It was a really good trip and I think one of my favorite things was no cell phones. There was no electricity and there was very little service. It was really great to see the kids talk and have campfires and play cards," concluded Harris.
Any parents who are interested in their children between the ages of 11 and 17 joining Troop 88 and Scouting America may contact Harris at harrischiro@yahoo.com. Cub scouts are ages 5-11 and they are currently looking for any adults to help.
In addition to monthly speakers, UWIF is collecting basic items (diapers, wipes, onesies, bibs, etc) for baby layettes to Davis Health Center that are provided to families in need of an early boost. Anyone wishing to contribute to the project may drop-off items (or monetary donations) to the church (315 Kerens Avenue) Monday -- Friday 9 a.m. --1 p.m.
All ladies of the community are welcome to join UWIF during its monthly meetings. The February meeting of the group will be held on Wednesday, February 11, at 11:30 at the church. A representative of Lunch with Neighbors, a community program hosted by the First United Methodist Church, will be the speaker.