The 137,493-acre Philmont Scout Ranch annually is a vast training ground for 15,000 to 18,000 Scouts, Explorers and their leaders - with two weeks every summer set aside especially for LDS Scouters and their families.

This year about 1,500 LDS priesthood leaders and family members will experience Mormon Leaders Conference at Philmont during two week-long sessions, July 5-11 and 12-18. While there, participants will hone outdoor, leadership and spiritual skills through hiking, camping, firesides and training sessions with General Authorities and national Boy Scouts of America leaders.Instruction will focus on how Scouting can help achieve Aaronic Priesthood objectives of young men magnifying their callings, providing service, receiving temple blessings, serving full-time missions and preparing to become worthy husbands and fathers.

"About 75 percent of the instruction at Philmont focuses on the Aaronic Priesthood and how the Scouting organization can assist in building young men," pointed out Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone, Young Men general president and member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. "It isn't just pure Scouting training isolated from everything else. We talk about the boy, the influence of his family and peer influences within the quorums, and how Scouting can bolster those two. General Authorities have times to visit with the priesthood leaders, really talk to them in depth. Then we always meet with their wives, and offer suggestions on how to cope with the pressures they face."

Elder Featherstone said he feels there is a strong link between the large number of LDS Eagle Scouts and the intense training leaders receive at Philmont. "Many of the leaders who attend for the first time have little knowledge of how the national organization of Boy Scouts of America can help local stake and ward units, but they leave very well informed," Elder Featherstone explained. "I think that Philmont has a great correlation to Eagle Scouts because the stake president or bishop who attends catches the picture of what can happen to young men who receive their Eagle."

Participants camp in tent cities provided by Philmont, and their meals are served in modern dining halls by the staff.

During the week, while priesthood leaders are in meetings with Church and national BSA leaders, there are programs for the rest of the family.

Children can take advantage of the beautiful, rugged wilderness, including taking guided hikes in the majestic Sangre de Cristo mountain range. For Cub- and Boy Scout-age youths, there are camping expeditions. Young women also hike and camp in the surrounding areas. All of these programs are under the direction of the Philmont staff.

When priesthood leaders and older children are involved in other activities, spouses can visit museums, shops and historical sites at Philmont. And there is annually a half-day women's conference, where sisters are instructed by General Authorities and members of general auxiliary presidencies of the Church.

There also is a large family home evening on Monday nights, sacrament services on Sunday and Sunday firesides for adults and youths.

John and Bonnie Tippets of the Colleyville Ward, Hurst Texas Stake, felt Philmont played a large role in motivating their three sons to earn their Eagle awards, as well as providing a positive family vacation.

"It was a wonderful experience, a very spiritually uplifting week," said Sister Tippets, a Relief Society instructor and merit badge counselor. "We took our four children, and all three boys have since earned their Eagles. Our daughter had a great experience as well. The experience showed them Scouting provided opportunities beyond their local troop. It was a very positive thing."

Brother Tippets, ward mission leader, said the week was an ideal family vacation that "charged our spiritual and Scouting batteries. The best part was the wonderful people we associated with. We have encouraged others we know to attend."