Troop 5 / Crew 5 Families: Sign-ups are now open for upcoming treks in Summer 2026 & 2027!

RSVP below by September 1, 2025. 

Trek Options

2026 Porcupine Mountains Backpacking Trek led by Grace Poe

Dates: July 12 – 18, 2026

Description: This 5-day backpacking trek in the Porcupine Mountains State Wilderness Park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is organized through Northeast Illinois Council’s Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation in northern Wisconsin. Towering pines, firs, and birches along the shores of Lake Superior provide the setting for trails that lead to secluded lakes, wild rivers, hills, and waterfalls.

We are planning to go on the Porcupine Mountains during Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan “week 4” (July 12 – July 18, 2026) to allow trek participants to also attend camp at Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan during “week 5” and/or “week 6,” which is when Troop 5 traditionally attends.

Restrictions: All youth must be at least 13 years old, or at least 12 years old AND completed grade 7.

Minimum crew size: 6 participants, including 2 adult leaders. Co-ed leadership required if there will be co-ed youth participants. Maximum crew size is 11 participants, but if there are between 7 and 11 participants, then we will need to split into 2 campsites and will require additional adults for Safeguarding Youth Training (formerly Youth Protection Training) compliance. If there is a lot of interest in this trek, we can send 2 crews.

While only one adult is required to be CPR and Wilderness First Aid trained/certified (and Grace will update/maintain her certifications), all adults going on the trek are encouraged to become CPR and Wilderness First Aid certified. Scouts can also be CPR and WFA certified (must be 14 years old for WFA).

Training requirements: We will start preparing for the 2026 Porcupine Mountains trek in January 2026 with monthly meetings to review topics such as backpacking gear, cooking methods, physical preparedness and other related topics. We will also conduct gear shakedowns and practice hikes.

Estimated cost: $450 trek fee (2025 rate) plus incidental travel costs (e.g., gas for drive to/from Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan, to/from Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan to Porcupine Mountains, and a meal on the drive from the Porcupine Mountains back to Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan).

Learn more about Scouting America’s Porcupine Mountains Backpacking Trek

2027 Philmont Backpacking Trek led by Grace Poe

Dates: While we will need to enter a lottery in the fall of 2025 to secure our actual trek dates, we will be aiming for a trek starting around June 21, 2027.

Description: Located in northern New Mexico, Philmont Scout Ranch is the premier high adventure backpacking destination for Scouting America and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for scouts. Philmont covers an area of approximately 220 square miles. It is in high demand and requires advance planning. Troop 5 organizes this trek every other year. Scouts and adults interested in participating on the 2027 Philmont trek are highly encouraged to participate in the 2026 Porcupine Mountains trek so that we can start working on crew dynamics.

Restrictions: A youth must be 14 years of age OR 13 years of age and completed the 8th grade by date of participation. Adults participating as expedition advisers must be physically capable of hiking and camping in Philmont’s high mountains for the length of the expedition. Individuals with chronic medical conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, asthma, etc) should consult this page. Philmont strictly enforces a maximum weight for a participant’s height. The maximum weight-to-height chart can be found HERE.

Crew size: Crews may be 8-12 participants. Minimum 3 adults / maximum 4 adults. Each adult advisor will need to be CPR and Wilderness First Aid trained/certified. Co-ed leadership required if there will be co-ed youth participants. If there is a lot of interest in this trek, we can send 2 crews, who will hike and camp as “sister crews”. Scouts are also encouraged to obtain CPR and WFA certification (must be 14 years old for WFA).

Training requirements: We will start preparing for the 2027 Philmont trek in the fall of 2026, with monthly meetings to review backpacking topics generally, and Philmont preparedness specifically. Scouts will select their preferred itineraries (final choice determined by Philmont-run lottery). We will have at least 2 shakedown campouts and regular practice hikes (schedule TBD). All participants (scouts and adults) are also expected to engage in a personal physical training schedule to be ready to hit the trail.

Estimated cost: $1,725 trek fee for 12-day trek (2026 rate) plus travel to and from Philmont (cost TBD).

Learn more about Scouting America’s Philmont Backpacking Trek

2027 Philmont Cavalcade Trek led by Danielle Reese

Dates: While we will need to enter a lottery in the fall of 2025 to secure our actual trek dates, we will be aiming for a trek in Summer 2027.

Description:Philmont Cavalcades are similar to regular expeditions except that, instead of hiking, crews ride horses through the rugged mountain wilderness like the famous trappers who first explored the West. Eight-day Cavalcades with 10 to 15 people per crew are offered on specific dates each summer. The final day of the Cavalcade is spent in competition at an equestrian gymkhana.

Restrictions: A youth must be 14 years of age OR 13 years of age and completed the 8th grade by date of participation. For the safety of the rider and the horse, there is a 200-pound weight limit for all riders. No exceptions given. See the max height and weight chart for additional information. Individuals with chronic medical conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, asthma, etc) should consult this page.

Crew size: Crews can be 10-15 participants. A minimum of 3 adult leaders per crew is required, with a maximum of 5.

Training requirements: Scouts interested in this are highly encouraged to complete the horsemanship merit badge prior to the trek. To prepare we will be scheduling trailrides through local stables through 2025 and 2026 to give those going opportunities to spend more time getting accustomed to being on horseback for longer periods of time.

Estimated cost: $1,325 for 8 days was the 2025 pricing. Exact 2027 price TBD. Completion of the horsemanship merit badge strongly suggested before the trek. In addition some number of practice trail rides to build familiarity and endurance in riding will be required for all participants as part of training. Pricing per trail rides TBD.

2027 / 2028 Sea Base High Adventure

Dates: Spring or Summer 2027 / 2028

Restrictions: All youth must be at least 13 years old. All participants must get scuba-certified before the trek. Sea Base has very strict medical requirements. Please see the medical section of the Participation Guide and/or the Presentation (slides 15-24). Medical conditions that are or may be limiting include asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, and multiple regular medications.

Learn about Scouting America’s Sea Base

Additional treks will be added to this page as they become available and will be communicated in the troop newsletter. 

Questions? Contact Camping@troop5.com.