This year's summer adventure was twofold. For scouts over the age of 13, there was backpacking in the back country of northern New Mexico, and for scouts not yet 13, there was a 1,000-mile tour of New Mexico and Arizona.

To reach their high adventure, the group traveled 1,500 miles over five days. While on the road, adult leaders provided scout skill sessions in knots, lashing and first aid. The leaders also showed the boys how to play several card games, including poker, spades and bridge.

Meals consisted of cold cereal, sandwiches or fast food. Overnight lodging was found at National Guard armories in Nashville, Tucumcari, N.M., and Springer, N.M., as well as Little Rock and Tinker Air Force bases.

While staying at Little Rock Air Force Base, the group toured the C120 cargo aircraft flight line, the base fire department and the base air traffic control tower. The boys were also privy to the pool and recreation center.

Once the troop reached Cimarron, the boys and adults were divided into three crews. One crew was made up of boys not yet 13, including Joey Barnes, Will Barnes, Jamon Brady, Greg Broughton, Chad Calvert, Jeff Calvert, Casey Cooper, Wes Doty, Mark Foster, Ben Marsh, John Melton, Johnny Quilliams, Ben Roberts, Brandon Salamacha and Lyric Todkill. Gary Calvert, David Melton and Fred Chattin were adult advisers.

These crews toured New Mexico and Arizona for 12 days. The remaining two crews backpacked over 60 miles in 10 days. Philmont Crew 1 was made up of Marcus Denton (crew leader), Fred Bicha, Tony Edgecomb, James Griggs, Mark Henry, Alex Marrow and John Sullivan, Richard Evans, John Hawthorne, Tom Moore and Edward Pierce were adult advisers.

Philmont Crew 2 was made up of Ben Jones (crew leader), B.J. Brooks, Paul Cox, Nathan Evans, and Sean Rutherford. Acting as adult advisers were Larry Blair, Melanie Conger, Terry Domm, Jim McCauley and John Sullivan.

The crews visited the Kit Carson museum, city of Santa Fe, the Painted Desert, the Petrified Forest, Bandlier National Park and Grand Canyon National Park. Some memorable occasions included exploring Pueblo Indian ruins, participating in a Hopi Indian ceremonial dance and hiking in the Grand Canyon.

The crews selected a rigorous 60-mile backpacking trek in what is known as the North Country of Philmont, carrying their own tents, cooking gear, food, personal gear and water. Special trail meals were cooked and the scouts obtained water from steams and springs which required purification.

The itinerary of the trek included daily programs, such as no trace camping, ropes and challenges, blacksmithing, goldmining and panning, homesteading and conservation projects. The scouts build a check dam for a conservation project in 105-degree heat, hiked to the 12,441-foot summit of Baldy Mountain, cut railroad ties, climbed spar poles and had a July snowball fight at Baldy Saddle. At the end of the trail, scouts had their boots branded with the Philmont cattle and horse brands, a Philmont tradition.

Upon returning to Oak Ridge, the scouts were acknowledged for their accomplishments. Edward Moore, Casey Cooper, Sean Rutherford, and Fred Bicha were recognized as outstanding crew members. Six scouts, Jamon Brady, Greg Broughton, Wes Doty, Alex Marrow, Ben Marsh and Lyric Todkill earned the troop's Hackamore Rope Award for tying six basic knots and six advanced knots.

Fred Bicha, B.J. Brooks, Paul Cox, Marcus Denton, Tony Edgecombe, Nathan Evans, James Griggs, Mark Henry, Alex Marrow, Sean Rutherford and John Sullivan earned the Philmont Arrowhead Patch for completing the Philmont experience.

Troop 129 was chartered in 1945 and is Oak Ridge's oldest Boy Scout troop. It offers a traditional scouting program with a wide variety of monthly outings, such as rappelling, carving, backpacking, white water rafting and camping. Long-term summer camping opportunities include World Scout Jamboree, National Scout Jamboree, Philmont Scout Ranch and Camp Bowman.

Troop 129 actively participates in local, regional and national scouting programs, Tom Moore, scoutmaster, emphasizes four objectives: Duty to God, leadership development, service to others and basic scouting skills development.

The troop is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Oak Ridge. Meetings are held from 7 to 8:40 p.m. every Monday at First Baptist Church in Oak Ridge. Boys 11 years or older interested in scouting are invited to attend, or call Moore at 481-0558 for more information.

Jim McCauley is publicist for Boy Scout Troop 129.