Philmont cancels all summer programs

Philmont Scout Ranch, a premier facility of the Boy Scouts of America near Cimarrón, has canceled all programs for the 2020 summer season to comply with the New Mexico Health Department’s COVID-19 restrictions, according to a June 4 news release.

The Philmont registrar’s office has circulated a survey to program leaders, instructors and trail crews to gain information that will help them prioritize alternative planning and recheduling of reservations and events to either the 2021 or 2022 summer season.

According to the announcement, Philmont will continue to pursue more programming opportunities as the New Mexico State Health Department guidelines allow.

“We look forward to seeing you on the trail in the coming autumn, winter or a future summer season,” the announcement continued. To see updates on programs

and activities scheduled for the fall and winter 2020 season, visit the Philmont website at philmontscoutranch.org.

The Philmont staff had prepared and submitted its COVID-19 mitigation and operation plan, as required by the state Department of Health, asking for an immediate decision on whether they could go forth with summer season activities. When they received the disappointing denial from Health Department officials, the staff released their announcement immediately so all who had made reservations could revise their summer plans.

“The Philmont staff has been relentless since the onset of this situation in preparing a mitigation plan with our primary goal in mind: the health and safety of our staff, participants and our community,” Philmont administrators said.

COVID-19 isn’t the only challenge facing the Boy Scouts.

The national chapter of the Boy Scouts of America filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February of this year in the wake of hundreds of court cases alleging sexual abuse. BSA announced that it would not close the organization or cease operations because of the filing.

The fate of the organization’s assets, including Philmont, remains in question. However, ranch staff announced earlier this year, before the state declared the COVID-19 health emergency, that they planned to conduct summer season programs as usual.

The 140,000-acre Philmont Scout Ranch in northeastern New Mexico was donated to the Boy Scouts in 1938 and has since become a popular destination for scouts and hikers alike.

Taos News reporter Jesse Moya contributed to this story.