International Scouting Trek Opportunity At Philmont

International Division BSA has announced that the first ever "International Scouting Trek" at Philmont will take place next June.  The 20 participants will all be at least 16 years old but not yet 20 years old at the time of the trek.  10 will be Scouts and Venturers from different BSA councils.  10 will be from different countries around the world.  All expenses will be paid by BSA, including all domestic and international travel.

The itinerary:

Wednesday, June 18 - Arrive in Dallas, meet participants and stay in a hotel
Thursday June 19 - Travel to Philmont via Albuquerque
Friday, June 20 - base camp training
Saturday, June 21 - First Day of Trek
Thursday, June 26 - End of Trek.  Return to Base Camp
Friday, June 27 - Stay an extra day to report to International Scouting Conference at Philmont
Saturday, June 28 - Return to Dallas and farewell hotel dinner
Sunday, June 29 - Return home

Selection of participants will be determined by an essay of up to 1500 words on "As a Scout, I could convince more young people from my community (and surrounding communities) to join Scouting by organizing a membership recruitment plan that includes these important steps/elements."  Each council will choose the best essay in their council and sent it to BSA.  BSA will select the best 10 essays from those submitted.

Chief Okemos Council rules:

  1. After reading these instructions, print and fill out the Philmont International Scouting Trek Essay Contest Cover Sheet. Sign it.  Have your Scoutmaster or Advisor sign it.
     
  2. Complete your essay of up to 1500 words on "As a Scout, I could convince more young people from my community (and surrounding communities) to join Scouting by organizing a membership recruitment plan that includes these important steps/elements."  Do not include your name on your essay.
     
  3. Attach your cover sheet to your essay and mail them to PHILMONT INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING TREK ESSAY CONTEST, PO BOX 244, ST JOHNS MI 48879.  Do not mail them or take them to the Chief Okemos Council office.  All essays must be postmarked by January 10, 2008, to be considered.
     
  4. When an essay is received, the same identifying number will be placed on both the cover sheet and the essay.  The cover sheet will then be separated from the essay so that the committee selecting the best essay from the Chief Okemos Council will not know who wrote any of the essays.
     
  5. The decision of the committee will be final.  The essay they select will be submitted to International Division BSA.