The Roving Outdoor Conservation School (ROCS) is a twenty-one day trek program at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico, USA. The program is open to participants between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one. ROCS is an educational backpacking experience rooted in conservation and environmental science education.
Throughout the trek participants have lessons rooted in environmental science, visits from guest speakers, and the opportunity to work on conservation projects with the Philmont Conservation Department and the U.S. Forest Service in the Valle Vidal Unit of the Carson National Forest. While on the trail participants learn about ecology, botany, dendrology, geology, soils, hydrology, forestry, fire ecology, wildlife management, range management, environmental policy, leave no trace principles, and environmental ethics. Participants tackle conservation projects ranging from trailbuilding to meadow encroachment to timber stand improvement to erosion control to streambed restoration.
The Roving Outdoor Conservation School exposes participants to the land management challenges facing the West, as well as the rest of America. The program focuses on empowering participants so that they may transfer what they learn on the trail to their lives back home.