From June 29th through July 7th, Derek S, a Scout from Troop 451, and his Scoutmaster, Patrick Van Hooser, participated in the inaugural Zia Trek at Philmont Scout Ranch.
This trek was designed for Scouts with special needs and disabilities to complete a traditional trek with the support of a caretaker or “shadow.” While most Scouts had a parent, Derek had his Scoutmaster as his “shadow.”
A space was even created in the National Scouting Museum, which included their trek and council service patches for each Scout who participated, with this drawer having an NCAC patch included.
There was also an article written about this inaugural trek experience in the Philmont News magazine!