Biennial St. George Trek

General Information

The National Catholic Committee on Scouting® is pleased to announce its high adventure leadership program for older Catholic Boy Scouts and Venture Crew members at Philmont Scout Ranch. Designed to develop organizational and relational skills for leadership as well as nourishing the scout's spirituality, the program will bring Catholic high school youth from around the country together with selected priests, religious and seminarians for eleven days of backpacking on the trail including three days of intensive leadership training at a back country base camp.

Dates and Itinerary

The 2009 Saint George Trek begins on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 in Albuquerque, New Mexico where the participants meet get to know one another, train, have fun and pray. Then it's off to Philmont Scout Ranch where they will hike the Sangre de Cristo Range of the Rocky Mountains. While hiking, they will experience a program that is designed to encourage the integration of morality, values, spirituality, faith and scripture in their lives as Christian leaders. Before returning home on August 5, 2009, they will be asked to commit themselves to bring what they have learned home to their respective dioceses where they can become effective peer leaders and role models for their fellow scouts.

Candidate Qualifications/Selection

Each Arch/diocese is encouraged to conduct a search and send one or two top-notch scouts to the Trek. Because the program can only accommodate seventy youth, only two participants per diocese will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Selection of participants is made by the individual Arch/Diocese and should be made on the basis of demonstrated maturity and leadership potential. The earning of Scouting's Religious Emblems and involvement in church, school and scouting activities should be given consideration. Candidates should be emotionally mature adolescents who will be fifteen years of age on or before July 21, 2009 and in High School in the fall of 2009. NO exceptions can be made. They must have the physical health and stamina to backpack on the trails of Philmont. There will be one female crew. Girls registered in Venturing are eligible to apply. The Saint George Trek is a one time only experience for youth. Previous youth participants are not eligible.

The YOUTH PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION FORM may be adapted for use as an application by the individual Arch/Diocese.

After the (arch)diocesan selection process has been completed, a YOUTH PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION FORM, (completed by the scout) an ARCH/DIOCESAN AUTHORIZATION, (completed by the sponsoring Arch/Diocesan Catholic Committee), and $100 deposit for each participant are submitted to:

Austin E. Cannon
105 Haff Avenue
No. Bellmore, NY 11710
(H) 516-221-7186
(B) 516-678-5800, ext. 245
cannonjr1@hotmail.com

Forms:

• (Arch)Diocese Authorization form
• Youth Participant Registration form

Fees

The 2009 fee for the Saint George Trek is $725.00 per participant.

The fee covers:

• All Philmont Scout Ranch fees
• All other lodging
• Food
• Chartered bus travel

Not Included in Fee

• Transportation to and from Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Normal personal expenses

Fee Schedule

• A $100.00 deposit fee per participant, payable to NATIONAL CATHOLIC COMMITTEE ON SCOUTING (NCCS) must accompany the application. Add to Check Memo Field: Acct # 67017 – 4810
  
• February 1, 2009 - $ 250.00;
• March 15, 2009 - $ 250.00.
• Final payment, $ 125.00 is due May 1, 2009.

NOTE: Philmont has a policy that all fees are non-refundable. NCCS will refund all fees paid if it is able to fill the vacancy with another participant.

Financing

The Arch/diocese is encouraged to underwrite Registration costs for participants. Financial assistance is available. Assistance requests must be submitted by the individual Arch/Diocese in writing to Father Kevin Smith, Course Director, no later than January 1, 2009. Grants will be made on the basis of demonstrated financial need.

Funding

The Saint George Trek is funded by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting® and the United States Delegation of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George.

Questions may be addressed to:

For Program:

Rev. Kevin M. Smith, Pastor
Saint Dominic’s Church
93 Anstice Street
Oyster Bay, NY 11771
516 922-4488
ksmith@stdoms.org

For Logistics:
Austin E. Cannon
105 Haff Avenue
No. Bellmore, NY 11710
(H) 516-221-7186
(B) 516-678-5800, ext. 245
cannonjr1@hotmail.com

September 14 2008