HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2022 TREK

Philmont Scout Ranch

 July 6-21, 2022

What is the Saint George Trek?

The St. George Trek is a biennial, high adventure, backpacking retreat program for Catholic Scouts and Venturers administered by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting in cooperation with the Boy Scouts of America’s Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM. The program begins and ends in Albuquerque, NM, but the hike itself, takes place at Philmont.

In this program, Philmont’s high adventure backpacking experience is placed within the context of a retreat program dedicated to assisting a scout’s awareness of his or her Christian vocation. There are adult advisors for each crew of 8-10 scouts to provide supervision, and there will be opportunities to experience the Sacraments and the Church’s life of prayer on a daily basis while hiking through “God’s Country.”

During the course of the trek, scouts create two Covenant Commitments. The first covenant is to Almighty God, which the scout keeps to him or herself. This covenant is one that hopefully opens the scout to God's vocational call. The second covenant is to their sponsoring diocese, stating how they plan to be of service to the Church through Catholic Scouting. These covenant commitments help the participant to recognize the serious commitment of participating in the St. George Trek.

How to Participate

In order to apply for the 2022 Trek, candidates must compose a brief essay (about one page) explaining why they would like to participate. This essay, together with the attached form, must be returned to the Diocesan Scout Chaplain by September 1, 2021.

Because the program can only accommodate 70 youth, every diocese in the country is permitted to select only two youth participants. This selection is made on the basis of demonstrated maturity, physical ability, leadership potential, interest in the life of the Church, and openness to the discernment of vocation. The earning of Catholic Scouting's Religious Emblems and involvement in church, school, and scouting activities is also given consideration.

Requirements

Candidates must be:

• Emotionally mature adolescents
• Fifteen years of age on or before July 1, 2022
• In high school in the fall of 2021
• Validly certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR by July 1, 2022
• Committed to assisting the local Catholic Committee on Scouting upon returning home
• Within Philmont height & weight requirements by July 1, 2022
• Physically prepared with the health & stamina necessary for a mountain backpacking trip

NO exceptions can be made to these expectations and requirements.

A female crew is planned pending sufficient female registration. The Saint George Trek is a one-time only experience for youth. Previous youth participants are not eligible.

The fee for the 2022 trek is $925 per participant for up to two participants only, to be funded by the Diocese of Savannah Catholic Committee on Scouting.

Each participant will be responsible solely for travel costs and incidental expenses.