Update 4/15/20 – 8:30 AM
Status of summer 2020 operations
COVID-19 has brought unprecedented uncertainty, financial challenges and impact to our daily lives. The leadership of the BSA and the National High Adventure Bases (HAB’s) recognize that Scouts and leaders have been planning for many months to enjoy a life-changing High Adventure experience.
The health and safety of our participants and staff is our utmost concern. At this time, the HAB’s plan to operate in the summer of 2020 if we can do so safely and within the guidelines of the CDC.
On May 1st we will provide an update on the 2020 season specific to each National High Adventure Base. We understand that crews need to make travel plans. However, by applying a metered approach to the summer season, it allows the most flexibility in adjusting programs to serve participants.
Refunds for summer 2020
The National Executive Committee will review the refund policy for the HAB’s and information regarding those policies will be posted on May 1st.
Additional programs for summer/fall/Holiday 2020
HAB’s have added additional late summer/fall and Holiday 2020 programs and we encourage you to review those.
Wilderness First Aid and other required courses
We understand that courses such as Wilderness First Aid are currently unavailable. We are working with the organizations that provide those trainings to have options for Crews which will be posted on May 1st.
BSA Annual Health and Medical Record
We are evaluating all options while being mindful of those who have valid exams as well as those new members and adults who may have never completed a Part C exam, state and local authority requirements, and the special review required by high adventure programs. In the interim, we recommend that council health supervisors, camp staff and volunteers begin a conversation on local availability of wellness exams and alternatives that could be put in place.
State “Lockdowns” or “Stay at Home Orders”
We are monitoring the status of state “Lockdowns” or “Stay at Home Orders” that would interrupt travel during the time you are scheduled to attend an HAB. We will work with units to fill openings later in the summer should a state order preclude you from travel.
Additional information can be found in a joint statement from the High Adventure Bases here.
Philmont Delays Staff Arrival and Invests in Online Training Solutions
Update 4/14/20 – 10:30 AM
Philmont will be delaying the arrival of staff and condensing the training schedule for the 2020 Summer Season in response to COVID-19 precautions. All 2020 seasonal staff should anticipate a change to their arrival dates. Staff arrivals are planned to begin on May 15th.
This decision does not affect the arrival of crews beginning on June 8th. Philmont’s management team and hiring managers have been working diligently to develop online training material to condense the amount of time training at Philmont. Staff will be compensated for these new trainings that will be completed prior to arrival. Additionally, backcountry staff will be scattered to their camps as soon as possible to limit the numbers of staff in base camp and increase training times in their respective program areas.
The new online content is currently in development and will begin to be released in May. Staff can expect communication from their hiring managers as on-site arrival dates and training expectations are updated.
The Wilderness First Responder and Leave No Trace Master Educator courses have been canceled.
Philmont remains closed to the public through April 30, following a public health order from the State of New Mexico. As always, your safety and the safety of all our participants, guests, volunteers, and employees is our top priority.
Philmont and the Boy Scouts of America continue to monitor developments regarding COVID-19 and will provide updates as they are available with scheduled updates on April 15 and May 1.
We thank you for your continued support and ask that you please follow CDC guidelines to help stop the spread of this virus.
Philmont will honor ECSI Course Completion Card Extension
Update: 4/6/20 – 8:30 AM
The Emergency Care & Safety Institute (ECSI) has announced a 60-day extension to the validity of their course completion cards for those who are unable to access training. Philmont will honor this extension for crews attending in 2020.
Philmont recognizes that this does not assist all crews who are struggling to complete the Wilderness First Aid requirements for their trek. We are working with the BSA Health and Safety Team who has continued to monitor the status of instructor-led courses and is working with our partners at the American Red Cross and ECSI for acceptable alternatives in the event courses are not available in your community.
Updates will be posted here as they are available.
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