The OA Trail Crew is a national program offered by Philmont Scout Ranch. The program consists
of a two-week trek and costs only $100, plus transportation expenses to and from Philmont.The OA Trail Crew is a national program offered by Philmont Scout Ranch. The program consists
of a two-week trek and costs only $100, plus transportation expenses to and from Philmont.
The first week of the trek consists of building and maintaining new trails. The following week gives participants the opportunity to plan their own personalized trek, which can involve a number of activities.
David Stowe, past director of the OA Trail Crew program, says, "Philmont is an inspirational place that really brings out the true meaning of Scouting and the Order of the Arrow." He highly recommends youth take advantage of this program by participating and taking ideas back to their lodges.
Brock O. of Yah-Tah-Hey-Si-Kess Lodge 66 was a participant in July 1998. He heard about the OA Trail Crew in the National Bulletin and decided it sounded like a lot of fun. So he signed up and got in.
He enjoyed the trail building more than the trek because he really got to perform a service. He said it was
like "rededicating yourself to the Brotherhood of Cheerful Service." Brock enjoyed the fact that he met people
from all over the country, even then-National Vice Chief Dave Petrush. His most memorable moment was when they hiked
to the top of Baldy Mountain (the highest mountain in Philmont) and watched the sun rise at 1:30 a.m.
Brock strongly recommends becoming a trail crew member. A lot of experiences in this program cannot be found anywhere else. The OA Trail Crew provides the opportunity to think by yourself and to ponder what the OA spirit really is. It opens your mind and your spirit emerges.
For more information on this program, visit the 2000 National Order of the Arrow Trail Crew page on this site.
Revised 7/31/00.