Start thinking about YOUR spot on the 2024 St. George Trek at Philmont
OVERVIEW: The Saint George Trek is The National Catholic Committee on Scouting’s® high adventure Catholic leadership program for older Catholic Scouts and Venture Crew members at Philmont Scout Ranch. The program brings Catholic high school youth from around the country together with selected priests, religious and seminarians for eleven days of backpacking in the context of a vocation retreat.
TIMEFRAME: The 2024 Saint George Trek is scheduled for July 3-18, 2024 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, scripture and vocation in their lives as young Catholic men and women. Before returning home, they will be asked to commit their own continued discernment as well as bringing their experiences home to their respective dioceses, so they can become effective peer leaders and role models for their fellow scouts.
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATION: Candidate nominations should be made on the basis of demonstrated maturity, physical ability, leadership potential, an interest the life of the Church and an openness to the discernment of vocation. 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 1, 2024, in high school, no older than 18 years old, and committed to assist their Catholic Committee when they return home. Participants must also have the physical health and stamina to backpack on the mountain trails of Philmont. NO exceptions can be made to these expectations and requirements.
Female scouts and crew members are also encouraged to apply. A female crew is planned pending sufficient female registration.
The Saint George Trek is a one-time only experience for youth. Previous St. George Trek youth participants are not eligible.
ST. GEORGE TREK FEES: The current cost of the St. George Trek is $1,275.00 per participant, however this trek fee will be covered by the Diocese of Raleigh. This fee covers all Philmont Scout Ranch fees, retreat house lodging in Albuquerque, Philmont and retreat house meals, roundtrip chartered bus travel between Albuquerque and Philmont. Not Included in fee is air transportation to/from Albuquerque, New Mexico (accommodation for transportation costs can be made to needing individuals), personal gear, and normal personal expenses.
CANDIDATE APPLICATION: Individuals interested in attending the 2024 St. George Trek can send questions and inquiries to frank.jackson.sr@hotmail.com. Candidates wishing to apply to attend the St. George Trek must submit the Raleigh Diocese St. George Trek Application Form AND a ONE-PAGE letter of interest that includes:
- Why you want to go to the St. George Trek
- History of your involvement in scouting including any religious emblems earned
- Ways you are involved in your parish community
- Ways you are involved in service in the local community
- What is your understanding of “Duty to God”
ALL submissions must be received BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2023, to Mr. Frank Jackson, Raleigh Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting at: frank.jackson.sr@hotmail.com, along with the Raleigh Diocese St. George Trek Application Form; or send both via USPS to:
St. Thomas More Catholic Church Attn: Raleigh Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting 940 Carmichael Street Chapel Hill, NC 27514-4203
Additional information on the St. George Trek can be found on the NCCS website.
St. George Trek application (XLSX)