The Rayado Program

The Rayado Program is a prestigious and somewhat secretive twenty-day backpacking program held every summer in two sessions at Philmont Scout Ranch. Rayado crews, accompanied by two of the Ranger Department's best qualified members, are put together by Philmont staff, and consist of people from different parts of the country. A person may only be a Rayado participant once; a ranger may only be assigned to a Rayado crew once; and staff members are disqualified from participation in Rayado treks except as rangers.

Therefore, unlike a regular Philmont trip where you attend with your fellow scouts in the troop (and council), you are completely on your own to arrange and attend the Rayado program at Philmont. You cannot attend with a friend or with another Scout from your troop (you will be split up into different crews if that happens).

The Rayado Program, once known as the Kit Carson Program, was originally modeled after the Outward Bound Program, but it has begun to more closely resemble the National Outdoor Leadership School.

Participants experience a number of challenges geared toward personal growth, and develop a sense of stewardship for the environment and leadership skills. Also, they receive instruction in advance wilderness skills and learn teamwork among a diverse group. They are asked to expand their personal limits and they participate in the Personal Challenge and the Mountain Challenge; both of which are long standing Rayado Program traditions.

If you successfully complete the Rayado Program, you receive a special Philmont arrow patch with the word Rayado embroidered into the tail of the arrow.

Rayado is great way to return to Philmont and get more out of the experience, once you have participated in a regular Philmont trek with your fellow troop Scouts. Because the troop can only attend Philmont every 2 or 3 years, the Rayado program is a way to return to Philmont the next summer after a regular trip. However, it is very serious and strenuous undertaking, and should only be considered by someone who is very serious about backpacking and truly enjoys the difficulties and rewards of an extended Philmont experience.

Steve Sterling is the only Scout in our troop who has attended and completed the Rayado program. He did it the summer of 2006, only 7 weeks after knee surgery, so it was a painful experience at times.

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