A crew of 13 teenage Scouts from Malboro, Middletown and Holmdel and their leaders went on a life changing summer trek through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. 

Philmont covers 214 square miles of vast wilderness with trails that climb from 6,500 feet to as high as 12,441 feet. During their trek Boy Scout Troop 331 hiked 60 miles over 11 days. The highest point climbed was Mt. Phillips.

The group of Scouts and their advisors carried everything they need to survive during the trek on their backs while hiking from camp to camp. They participated in backcountry programs along the way including rock climbing, blacksmithing, horseback riding, and black powder shooting. The trek included a conservation project where the Scouts learned and participated in the upkeep of Philmonts ecosystem. Along the trek, Scouts endured tough challenges including backpacking in bear and mountain lion territory, steep climbs, and often-inclement weather. Planning and training for trek began in 2009 with the winning of a lottery, followed by a series of shakedowns, and planning meetings.

They may meet only one other group of scouts on the trail in an entire day of hiking, according to Backpacker magazine. Even in the most crowded destinations, each Scout group camps in isolation, out of sight and sound of all other groups.

The crew made what amount to a Scouting pilgrimage with their trip to Philmont. Philmont Scout Ranch is the Boy Scouts of Americas premier high adventure camp and the largest youth camp in the world serving nearly one million participants since 1938.

Crew 730R (as it was known at Philmont) participants included Scouts: Eric Katzen (crew leader), Evan Katzen, Tyler Bond, Grant Rybnicky, Brian Lipson, Brian Ellsworth, Anthony Echavaria, Adam Wojtunik, and Adults: Hal Katzen (Crew Advisor), George Bond, Ken Ellsworth, Henry Wojtunik, and David Echavaria.