July 3-18, 2024
St. George is the patron saint of Catholic Scouting and the inspiration for Catholic Scouting’s high adventure leadership program and vocation retreat for Scouts who are 15 to 18 years old. Every two years, approximately 70 Scouts from dioceses and eparchies across the country are selected for this 11-day challenge known as the St. George Trek, which takes place at Philmont Scout Ranch.
Led by selected priests, seminarian and Religious advisors from around the country, St. George Trek participants experience spirituality, faith, scripture and the sacraments in a spectacular setting. During the Trek, Scouts make two commitments: to the ongoing discernment of their vocation and to engagement in their home parish and diocese.
Each Diocesan/Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting is invited to encourage one or two Scouts from their diocese or eparchy to apply to participate in the Trek. Participants are accepted on a first come, first served basis.
Selection of participants is made by the local Diocesan/Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting and should be made on the basis of each Scout’s demonstrated maturity, physical ability, leadership potential, an interest the life of the Church and an openness to the discernment of vocation to the priesthood or religious life. Earning of Religious Emblems and involvement in parish, school and Scouting activities should be given consideration. Eligible Scouts should commit to become in engaged in the work of their Diocesan/Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting when they return home.
Candidates should be emotionally mature adolescents who will be at least 15 years old and no older than 18 years old by July 1 of the year they plan to go on the Trek. Participants must also have the physical health and stamina to backpack on the mountain trails of Philmont. The St. George Trek is a one-time only experience for youth. Previous youth Trek participants are not eligible. NO exceptions can be made to these expectations and requirements.
A female crew is planned pending sufficient female registration. There would need to be at least six female Scouts committed for the Trek to form an all-female crew. This trek is not co-ed.
Scout Participant Application and Selection Process
Diocesan/Eparchial Catholic Committees on Scouting should encourage potential participants to complete the St. George Trek Participant Application form prior to the year the Scout plans to go on the Trek. When submitted, a link to the Participant Application will be sent to the committee chair’s email address.
Once the local Diocesan/Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting has selected the Scout or Scouts it has approved to go on the Trek, the chair submits approved application(s) to NCCS. The approved application must be submitted to NCCS by December 31 the year before the Scout plans to go on the Trek.
Fees and Scholarships
NCCS covers the cost of food, lodging in Albuquerque, plus transportation between Albuquerque and Philmont Ranch. Thanks to this financial commitment and that of generous benefactors the fee for the St. George Trek is only $1575.00 per Scout participant. A special $300 early registration incentive is available to those dioceses or eparchies who submit the names of participants and the initial payment for each accepted participant by October 31 the year before the Trek.
Fee Schedule
- A deposit of $425 per participant is required when the approved Participant Application is forwarded to NCCS.
- November 1 of the year before the Trek: Second payment due $425
- December 1 of the year before the Trek: Third payment due $425
- February 1 of the year the Scout plans to go on the Trek: Final payment of $300 (waived if eligible for the early registration incentive)
For information on how to make fee payments, please contact: (214) 714-6950 or email info@nccs-bsa.org.
NOTE: All fees subject to change based on Philmont’s rate structure. Philmont has a policy that all fees are non-refundable. NCCS will refund all fees paid if a person cancels and NCCS is able to fill that person’s spot with another participant.
Not included in the fee: Transportation to and from Albuquerque, New Mexico, personal gear, personal expenses
Each Diocesan/Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting is expected to cover the fee for their participants, however in some cases Scouts are asked to pay a portion or all of the fee. Financial assistance is available. Diocesan/Eparchial Catholic Committees on Scouting may submit a request for a scholarship by completing the St. George Trek Diocesan/Eparchial Scholarship Application. Scholarships will be provided based on demonstrated financial need and on a first come, first served basis. A St. George Trek Scholarship is awarded to the local Diocesan/Eparchial Catholic Committees on Scouting, not the participant.
St. George Trek Advisor Application
Dioceses, eparchies and religious orders are encouraged to ask qualified men and women to serves as advisors on the St. George Trek. Because the Trek is focused on the discernment of vocations of priesthood and religious life, married persons or single men and women not in a seminary or religious order formation program are not generally considered as St. George Trek advisors. Priests, Religious, seminarians and religious novices are encouraged to apply.
All advisor applicants must be in good standing with his or her diocese or religious community and must have the approval of his or her superior (bishop, pastor, religious superior, formation supervisor) in order to be considered as a St. George Trek advisor.
If accepted, St. George Trek advisor applicants must be willing to register as adults in a Catholic BSA Troop, Venturing Crew or Sea Scout Ship.
It is preferred that St. George Trek advisor applicants are at least 21 years of age.
St. George Trek advisor applicants must meet physical, mental and emotional requirements.
St. George Trek advisor applicants must commit to being present for the entire time, July 2-18, 2024; this includes arriving one day before the participants.
Those who meet the requirements and are interested in applying to be selected as a St. George Trek advisor should apply using the St. George Trek Advisor Application.
Have questions about the St. George Trek? Contact Fr. Mike Santangelo at (732) 458-0220 or stgeorgetrek@gmail.com