Personal Equipment

Please limit the amount of personal gear you bring. Living quarters can become very cramped and security can become a problem. Use the following list as a guide in deciding what to bring.

Consult the personal equipment list in the Philmont Guidebook to Adventure if your job includes backpacking, or if you plan to day hike or backpack during free time. Informal dress is appropriate for days off if you plan to leave Philmont property.

If you are working in Base Camp, you can plan for hot weather during the day (80s to 90s) with cool nights (40s to 70s). It can be much cooler in the higher elevations of the backcountry.

Required

At least two complete Scout or Philmont staff uniforms
Three blankets and sheets or sleeping bag
Pillow
Rain suit
Moccasins or rubber-soled shoes
Lightweight hiking shoes or boots
Flashlight
Laundry bag
Duffel bag or pack
Sweater and jacket
Underwear
Socks
Pajamas
Toilet and sewing kits
Towels
Handkerchiefs
T-shirt and shorts
Long pants
Watch
Non-electric alarm clock

Optional

Camera and film
Musical instrument
Footlocker with lock
Wide-brim hat or cap
Bible, testament, or prayer book
Notebook, pen, pencil
Songbook
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Western clothing (required for wranglers/horsemen)
Fishing gear (New Mexico license required)
Scout pocketknife
Sandals - only for use in base camp or backcountry camps (not for hiking). Socks must be worn with sandals to provide protection.

If desired, rangers will be furnished a pack and trail tent for the season's use at no cost.

A footlocker or trunk is best for shipping. Be sure yours is equipped with a hasp and padlock or built-in lock to safeguard your gear. Metal wardrobe lockers are provided for staff in base camp. They can be locked with a standard gym padlock, which you provide.

Philmont Staff Uniform Policy

The Boy Scouts of America is a uniformed movement and properly wearing the uniform at Philmont ispart of your job. Staff members are reminded that proper uniform is required whenever they leave their housing area, except when leaving Philmont property. Staff members are required to be in complete, clean, and properly worn uniform whenever entering Camping Headquarters and Training Center dining facilities, regardless of day off.

Staff members must bring or buy enough parts to be correctly uniformed each day. Participants and guests cannot tell if you are on or off duty, so your uniform reflects on all staff members, even when off duty. Repeated infractions of the staff uniform requirement will result in dismissal.

Each staff member will be given four new staff shirts. Staff shirts from previous years (or of a different design or color) are not approved for wear as the official Philmont staff shirt.

Picture ID tags will be provided and must be worn by all staff while in uniform, on duty or off duty, in the backcountry. ID tags are to be worn on the right pocket flap or collar of the Scout shirt or a similar position on the staff shirt where it can be seen easily.

The official uniform of Philmont is the current Boy Scout uniform and/or the current Philmont staff shirt with appropriate uniform parts. Reasonable facsimiles are not acceptable.

Uniform parts from previous official uniforms, improper combinations or insignia, or partial uniforms are not acceptable.

Appropriate uniforms

Option One

BSA tan shirt, long or short sleeve
BSA olive green shorts or pants
BSA olive socks with red top
Red shoulder tabs (or color of primary registration)
BSA belt or Philmont belt
ID name tag

Option Two

BSA Venturing shirt, short or long sleeve
BSA Venturing shorts or pants OR BSA olive shorts or pants
BSA Venturing gray socks or BSA olive socks with red top
Green shoulder tabs
BSA belt or Philmont belt
ID name tag

Option Three

Philmont staff shirt (indigo blue - in good condition)
BSA olive green shorts or pants
BSA Venturing shorts or pants
Philmont khaki hiking shorts or pants
BSA belt or Philmont belt
Athletic white socks or hiking socks
ID name tag

Headgear is not necessary. However, if worn in base camp, it must consist of an official BSA or Philmont cap or hat or an acceptable Western-style hat. A wide-brim backpacking hat and bandana may be worn in the backcountry. No hats are to be worn in the dining halls except by dining hall staff.

Uniform Exceptions

The only exceptions to the uniform requirements are:

The staff shirt may be worn with either official Boy Scout uniform shorts or the Philmont hiking shorts in place of the BSA uniform when appropriate. White socks or natural-colored rag wool may be worn with this uniform.
Wranglers must wear appropriate western wear while on duty and at breakfast and lunch. They must wear BSA uniform or Philmont staff uniform at supper unless assigned to a Cavalcade.
Training Center staff may wear western wear on Western Night. CHQ and backcountry staff visiting Western Night may also dress in western wear, or be in uniform.
Interpretive or period costumes (one or more sets will be provided by Philmont) are worn by staff only while conducting programs within the specific backcountry camp environment. Costumes are to be kept clean. (Philmont does not reimburse staff members for personal costumes. Personal costumes, if worn, must be appropriate to the time period portrayed.)
Military personnel on temporary assignment at Philmont may wear the uniform of their respective services or the Scout uniform prescribed for staff use.
Hazardous or temporary job conditions may occasionally require special clothing. The supervisor will make the exception in each case. Staff members on PHILSAR assignment fit this situation.

Pets

Do not bring a pet to Philmont or acquire one during the summer. Seasonal staff members may not have pets in base camp or in the backcountry. Problems with harassment of wildlife and livestock, annoyance to neighboring staff members, and sanitary and hygiene problems make this necessary. With prior approval, a cat may be allowed in some backcountry camps to control rodents.

Bicycles and Motorcycles

Because of heavy vehicular traffic, there are a limited number of times and roads where bikes can be safely ridden. They are not to be ridden on narrow pathways and heavily trafficked roads in the Camping Headquarters area or around the Villa Philmonte grounds. They may be used on the Lovers Leap, Abreu, and Cimarroncito roads as far as the turnarounds during daylight after 4:30 p.m. and before 8 a.m.

Due to heavy traffic, U.S. Forest Service regulations permit mountain bikes to be used in national forests only on designated trails and roads. Bicycles, motorcycles, or motorized trail bikes are not permitted beyond locked gates on Philmont. If you bring a bicycle, you are responsible for obtaining a registration sticker when you check in and for securing it outside your quarters.

You must always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle at Philmont.

Firearms and Weapons

Firearms, ammunition, and other weapons are used at Philmont on a closely controlled basis. Personal firearms, ammunition, and other weapons are not to be used on Philmont property under any circumstances. If you cannot avoid bringing a firearm, it must be checked in at the registration office when you arrive and checked out when you depart from Philmont. Federal law restricts the transportation of firearms across state lines, so be sure you comply. Sheath knives (fixed blade) are not allowed except as part of an interpretive costume.

Personal Property Security

Philmont is not responsible for the loss of personal belongings. It is recommended that items of value be left at home and that you provide loss coverage for your personal effects. This may be included on your parents' homeowners' policy. If you can bring a footlocker and padlock, you will have extra storage and security.

Philmont is not responsible for the theft of, or damage to, vehicles, bicycles, or personal property. Damaged or stolen items will not be replaced by Philmont.