Issue 9.indd - Philmont Scout Ranch

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AUGUST 4TH, 2017

Philmont at the National Jamboree

PHILNEWS Continued expansion

Continued on page 5

Evan Mattingly/PhilNews

Staying green Andrew Kliewer Staff Writer

David O’Neill Associate Director of Program

While thousands of Scouts scoured the backcountry of Philmont over the last two weeks, a very special event was gearing up and taking place just 1,500 miles away at The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve: the 2017 National Scout Jamboree. This every fouryear event brought over 30,000 Scouts, leaders, and staff from all corners of the country and globe to the BSA’s official home of the National Jamboree. Activities at a National Jamboree range from traditional Scouting merit badges to exciting adrenalin pumping events! Program areas included Aerial Sports (zip lines, challenge courses, climbing), Target Sports (shooting and archery), Extreme Sports (BMX and Skateboarding), Mountain Biking, Aquatics (paddle boards, SCUBA, kayaking), ATV’s, and much more. There were even displays set up by each branch of the military, the Order of

ISSUE NINE

Maintenance Staffer Andy Schmit (left) assists Ranger Chris Peterson in moving a large wooden tie to improve Cimarroncita’s parking lot. Tanner Britton/PhilNews

Elizabeth Harper Staff Writer

In 2015 Philmont purchased Cimarroncita, a neighboring tract of land that used to be a summer camp, and added 2,684 acres of wilderness to Philmont’s expansive property. “Right now, it’s currently being used for inbound and outbound crews,” said General Manager Kevin Dowling. “They’re hiking up to Minnette Meadows, which is an unstaffed camp we built in 2016, and are accessing Philmont

from Minnette Meadows. The crews use the Ute Park Turnaround, on the northern border of Cimarroncita, to start their journey into Philmont’s backcountry. Cimarroncita will not be used for a new staff camp due to its close proximity to Highway 64. For the last 12 months, Philmont has been working on developing the property, deciding which of the already-present facilities to keep and upgrade and which to get rid of, while determining how best to use the land.

“At this point our plans are, we’ve evaluated, structurally, all of the buildings and decided which ones that we think that we’re going to keep,” Dowling explained. “There’s some structural integrity to some of them. Most of the sheds and some of the stuff that’s dilapidated will be taken down sometime in the future.” In addition, several of the main buildings at Cimarroncita are in the process of being worked on. The community building, called the kiva, is almost done being Continued on page 8

When Scouts set out on their journey into the Philmont Backcountry, one of the first and most important principles they are introduced to is Leave No Trace. Designed to preserve the Ranch for generations far in the future, LNT principles include familiar concepts such as one-piece trash, compacting waste, and proper disposal to avoid environmental impacts. At least once a week, trash is hauled away in Suburbans and pickup trucks, leaving the Backcountry pristine and litter free. However, while out of the purview of Backcountry staff and Scouts, the accumulated waste is far from the end of its journey. The responsibility then falls on Philmont’s Sustainability Team to mitigate the impact as much as possible, with Conservation staff and Rangers hand sorting the Ranch’s recycling to ensure that it doesn’t become somebody else’s problem. The Sustainability Team emerged organically in the late 2000s, when several Cons staffers began collecting recyclables in Continued on page 4

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MARKETING AND PHOTO TEAM

Marketing Manager Bryan Hayek

MPS Manager Dave Brinkman

PhilNews Editor Suzannah Evans

PhilNews Writers Andrew Kliewer Elizabeth Harper

Photography Managers Tyler Sanders Liam Inbody

Photographers Drew Castellaw Madelynne Scales Hunter Long Evan Mattingly Shane Mrozek Tanner Britton Dalton Puckett

Lead Marketing Specialist Dave Brinkman

Marketing Media Staff Henry Hibbeln Julia Nadovich

Lead Videographer Kreable Young

Videographer Ben Dorger

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August 2017 Friday

Saturday

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Ranger CT- Knots!-6pm Walcutt Room Salsa Day #2- Baldy Pavilion 2-4:30pm, then again at 8-10pm Ping-Pong Tournament 8pm @SSSAC

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Ranger CT - Cultural Lanscape Theory6pm- Walcutt Room

Sunday

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Ranger CT- Knots!6pm Walcutt Room

Monday

Tuesday

Ranger CT - Cultural Lanscape Theory6pm- Walcutt Room

Ranger CT- Car Maitenance- 6pm Walcutt Room

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2nd Breakfast @ SSSAC Kitchen 8:3010:30am

Jam Night @SSSAC Porch 8PM

Wednesday

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5k PhilRun-6pm in front of the SSSAC

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Thursday

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Ranger CT- Car Maitenance- 6pm Walcutt Room Brat Day #7 @Baldy Pavilion-11am-1pm

Things to do at the SSSAC Brat Day On all days that end in “0” (e.g. June 20, July 10), the staff dining hall closes and bratwursts, hamburgers, kielbasa, and veggie burgers are grilled in the Baldy Pagrillion (next to Baldy Pavilion). The soda machine in the SSSAC kitchen is turned on, and ice cream is served in Baldy Pavilion. Live music is provided by Activities staff and other staff departments – let the Activities staff know if you’re interested in playing!

2nd Breakfast What about second breakfast? If you’re hungry between 8:30 and 10:30am on any day that ends in “3” or “7” (e.g. June 13, July 17), stop by the SSSAC kitchen for some pancakes and juice.

Music Jam Night If you play an instrument, sing, or enjoy listening to spontaneous music-making, come join us on the SSSAC porch on all days that end in “5” (e.g. June 15, July 5) for an informal jam session. All are welcome. We will start at 8pm to respect chapel services.

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Meet the Chaplains Chaplain Bill McCleery, Protestant Chaplain I am a native of Lancaster, Ohio, where I was in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Explorers for 10 years, attaining the rank of Life Scout. After high school, I attended

Walking in Waite’s shoes Elizabeth Harper Staff Writer “Welcome to Rayado Lodge! I’m Waite Phillips,” Program Counselor Paul Zollinger called to a crew making their way down the last stretch of trail toward Fish Camp. Fish Camp is one of 14 Living History camps at Philmont, which are set in various historical periods. Staff at those interpretive camps dress in period appropriate clothing and teach Scouts about the history of the land and the people who lived there. Several camps are set in the 1800s and demonstrate what it was like to be a logger, a miner or a homesteader in Colfax County at that time. Living History camps provide an excellent opportunity for Scouts to look around and understand the hard work and determination that was required to live and work in the area. Fish Camp’s interpretive program is slightly different from that of most other camps. Whereas other camps look back to significant pieces of history such as the Maxwell Land Grant and the Santa Fe Trail, which came before Waite Phillips moved to the area, Fish Camp is set in 1927, after Waite Phillips purchased the

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Friday, August 4, 2017 The Ohio State University and graduated with a BA in sociology. I then matriculated at Princeton Theological Seminary intending to enter the parish ministry. But after doing my summer field work as a Philmont chaplain, I changed my career plans and became a professional Scouter and served for 31 years, retiring in 2000. My Scouting career included 15 years in 4 local councils and 16 on the national staff where I served as Director of the Relationships Division working with all of Scouting’s chartered organizations. After my BSA retirement, I worked for 8 years as a development officer at my alma land. Because of that, the characters at Fish Camp are all recognizable historical figures and include Waite Phillips himself. In addition, his wife Genevieve is also there, as well as Executive Gillette Hill, his wife, Alma, Vice President Charles Dawes, and his wife, Caro. “We really care about the accuracy of the people we’re talking about because all of our characters are real people with real histories, with real stories,” Zollinger said. “We want to make sure that we’re doing them justice and doing justice to the family.” Originally known as Rayado Lodge, what is now Fish Camp is one of three significant original cabins on Waite Phillips’ property. The first was the Hunting Lodge, a place where Waite Phillips would take friends to go on hunting trips. Accessible by road, Hunting Lodge was an easy place to get to and could even be used to host extra guests if the Villa Philmonte was full. The second cabin was at Crater Lake, and it was used as an overnight stop on the way to Rayado Lodge. A road was eventually built, but for the most part visiting parties rode horses to Crater Lake before continuing on. The last cabin was Rayado Lodge. It was two days away from the Villa by horseback and had no road or even a trail until the Boy Scouts owned the property, making it a true mountain getaway. Waite Phillips and his family would go to Rayado Lodge with close friends and distinguished guests to hunt, fish and ride.

mater. The Ohio State University, where I worked for 8 years as a development officer at my alma mater, The Ohio State University, where I directed a multi-million dollar capital campaign to build the Ohio 4-H Youth Development Center. Following my OSU retirement, I was ordained as an Episcopal priest and served two small parishes in SE Ohio for 8 years. My wife, Linea, a Lutheran pastor, and I recently returned, again, for the last time, and moved to Brevard, NC, where we enjoy the Blue Ridge Mountains and all the outdoor amenities that region offers. Tanner Britton/PhilNews

Fish Camp Program Counselor Stefano Agogliati teaches Troop 226 scouts from Apex, NC about the history of Fish Camp during a tour of Rayado Lodge at Fish Camp on July 26, 2017. The cabin was a family getaway destination for Waite and Genevieve Phillips and other notable guests in the 1920s. Drew Castellaw/PhilNews

Crews can take a tour of the original main cabin and get a glimpse of how the Phillips family lived in the Backcountry. “A lot of the time people just come to see the cabin.” said Program Counselor Stefano Agogliati, who plays Gillette Hill. “The tour is fun because you get to explain things they would never know.” Crews are awed by the chance to look around the cabin where the Phillips spent parts of their summer. All those little details work together to give Scouts a

better of idea of what kind of person Waite Phillips was and to help them realize all they’ve gained through Waite Phillips’ generosity. “[Fish Camp] is a place to see the people who gave [us] Philmont,” said Program Counselor Hyunju ‘JuJu’ Blemel, who plays Alma Hill. “In my cabin tour, I spend the end of it talking about how much the Scouts should appreciate it and what the Phillips’ wanted them to take from it.” When crews depart from Fish Camp, the staff hopes they take

with them the knowledge that Waite Phillips was a humble and generous man whom Scouts should seek to emulate. “Despite the fact that Waite Phillips was never a Scout, I feel like Scouts can relate to Waite Phillips a lot,” said Zollinger. “When you look at the Scout Law it’s trustworthy, loyal, helpful… You look at all these things. Waite Phillips was thrifty, he’s helpful, he’s friendly, he’s a good host, he’s courteous. A lot of things that Scouts live by are similar to the things Waite Phillips lived by.”

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PhilmontScoutRanch.org

Continued from page one: Staying green an unused bear box and hauling them to Taos on days off. In 2010, Philmont greenlighted the creation of a brand new sustainability branch of the Conservation department, in keeping with the BSA’s commitment to preserve and protect the environment. Efforts began with smaller projects, such as replacing inefficient incandescent light bulbs in Base Camp with Compact Fluorescent Bulbs. However, Recreation Resource Manager John Celley soon identified a concentrated area where sustainability efforts could make a large difference. “Waste management is all about diversion,” Celley said. “So what percentage of our waste stream can we divert from a landfill? And our main priority for the past five years has been increasing our diversion rate and tracking it better.” Waste management efforts at Philmont kicked off with the purchase of a cardboard baler in 2010. From there, more reuse and recycling programs were added, so that today around 30% of waste generated at the Ranch ends up somewhere other than a landfill. Philmont has also committed to the construction of new sustainable buildings with environmentally friendly features such as low flow sinks and showers. Other efforts,

often unseen by most staff and participants, further reduce the environmental footprint. “Philmont is a part of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Dark Skies Initiative to reduce light pollution,” Sustainability Specialist Maggie Pool said. “Motorpool actually burns their own oil for heat, and additionally we source all of our own water.” Another opportunity came this year with the purchase of a glass crusher, which will be used to create landscaping materials from an estimated 20,000 bottles a year. Other projects include the construction of new collection bins for Backcountry waste

made from repurposed building materials as well as efforts to divert organic waste. While some current participants and staff may not be around to see these plans reach fruition, there are important actions that they can take to help out Philmont sustainability efforts and reduce their own impact immediately. “I think the most important thing people can do is pay attention to their garbage,” Celley said. “Try to buy and use things that create the least garbage, and then also make sure that they are disposing of that garbage properly, that it’s cleaned and flattened and sorted. That’s the biggest help to us.”

Sarah Nichols, from Texas, checks the bailer after it compacted cardboard during one of her Ranger Work Days. In 2016 Philmont’s Sustainability staff recycled around 75 tons of recyclable material. Dalton Puckett/PhilNews

Rangers Tanner Hickman and Sarah Nichols help out Maggie Pool at sustainability for a Ranger Work Day. They spent this day bailing cardboard for pick up. Dalton Puckett/PhilNews

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Continued from page one: Philmont at the National Jamboree the Arrow, 5 various vendors, World Jamboree, program demonstrations, and much more. Stadium shows were also a hit! Opening and closing presentations, musical acts, a visit by the President, motivational speakers and interactive polls to vote for the next song on the loudspeakers and the best-looking patch award. The week was topped off by one of the largest fireworks shows any Scout has ever seen! And then, there were patches. Patches everywhere! An always popular event at Jamboree, especially with the many brightly colored patches, and the multiple piece sets, there was something for everyone! To bring an event of this size and scope to life, almost 6,000 staff members volunteered their time and expertise for the event. Philmont assigned three staff members to work at the High Adventure exhibit, but also had four other staff members assigned to various areas to help with other aspects of the Jamboree. David O’Neill, Caroline Miller, Joshua Porter represented Philmont at the High Adventure exhibit, while Preston Marquis, Ehren Braun, and Andres Guerrero worked in various roles with the Order of the Arrow, and Tom Giugni worked in Logistics for the Stadium Experience Team. Philmont‘s presence at the Jamboree involved teaming up with all four High Adventure bases to create an interactive exhibit that helped engage participants, while passing on valuable information about each base’s program. A sampling of the hands-on activities included: roping and wearing the giant Jansport packs with Philmont, checking out the new pack-bikes at the Summit, portaging a canoe at Northern Tier, and at Sea Base participants got to see how to restore a coral reef. The hands-on activities were a hit, and allowed for a much more interactive experience. Another popular activity was branding. Each base brought their unique brand to use in the branding station and a special #2017Jambo brand was even made for the official hashtag of the Jamboree!

David O’Neil/Associate Director of Program

What started out as a slow activity at the beginning of the week, turned into a steady line the rest of the time, once the word spread. No telling how many water bottles and belts were branded all week! To help entice Scouts to learn more about programs at each base, a “High Adventure Challenge” was started. Instructions were given for Scouts to visit each base, learn about something new, then come back for their limited-edition prize. In this case, the prize was a unique patch…and what Scout doesn’t like a patch, especially at Jamboree! Overall, the High Adventure presence at the Jamboree was a great success. Over 6,800 participants visited the booth to learn more about our programs. It was very satisfying to visit with every person, as they strived to learn more, or spent time reminiscing and sharing their past Philmont experiences. There were even some Scouts that just got off the trail at Philmont, went home, then loaded up on the bus to go to Jamboree. Many staff veterans stopped by the booth, and 80 made it a point to attend a staff reception hosted by the PSA.

David O’Neil/Associate Director of Program

It was a very successful reception and offered a great opportunity for food, fellowship, and sharing of stories from way back when! Jamboree 2017 was a resounding success for Philmont

and the rest of the High Adventure team. The opportunity to share our programs with so many people was very satisfying, and the overall Jamboree event was fun and great to be a part of. The

volunteers and staff at the Summit did a great job of putting together a very memorable event and we were glad to be a part of it. Can’t wait to see what is in store for 2021!

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PSA Reunion

Chapel Services

Dollie O’Neill Executive Director PSA As members of the Philmont Staff Association, one of the perks is getting to come back to Philmont for Reunions, Treks, Autumn Adventure, Volunteer Vacation & Winter Adventure. During the week of July 23rd-29th, The Philmont Staff Association held a week long reunion at the Philmont Training Center. There were close to 120 PSA Members and guests that attended the PSA Reunion. Some of the highlighted events of the PSA reunion were: • Taking a Fly Fishing or Wilderness First Aid Course • Interpretative Session on Ernie Pyle, Journalist during World War II by Baldwin Burr • Flora & Fauna Course and hike with our Forester Zach Seeger • Backcountry visit & Tour of Metcalf Station • Tour & visit to Chase Ranch & Eagle Nest Dam • History Session on “Who was Waite Phillips” by Bob Martin • Ranger 60th Anniversary Dutch Oven Dinner • Concert by Tom Munch • Day hikes to Little Costilla, Baldy Mountain & the Tooth of Time • Conservation Service Project at 6 mile gate • Amigo Staff Service Project • Silent Auction for the Scholarship Fund • PSA Annual Meeting • Silver Sage Awards One of the big highlights of the week was watching Former Chief Ranger Dave Caffey meet the current Chief Ranger Matt Nutt. Also, another great highlight was the Silver Sage Award Ceremony held at the PTC Assembly Hall on July 28th honoring these recipients: Bill Cass, Jeff Segler & the Kansas University Medical Center.

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In the Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, and LDS Traditions, daily at 7 p.m. at each respective chapel

Former Philmont Staff member Tom Munch and current Philmont Musicologist Ellyn Washburne play at the Tom Munch Concert. Dollie O’Neill/PSA

Art, Books, Cards, Jewelry, Pottery, Salsa, New Mexico Gifts, & More!

Open Daily! We Welcome Scouters! 341 East 9th Street P.O. Box 322 Cimarron, NM 87714

Former Philmont Staff members enjoy program features at Metcalf Station. Dollie O’Neill/PSA

Phone: 575-376-9040

Explore the Aztec Mill Old Town Cimarron, NM

Artifacts and history in a most unique museum

Members of the Philmont Staff Association complete part of their Conservation Project while on the 2017 PSA Reunion Trek. Dollie O’Neill/PSA

Overall having Philstaff from different generations and work decades made for a really fun and busy week at Philmont for the

PSA. Thanks to all the current staff that helped in our week long reunion and with our events!

June-August Hours: Mon-Sat: 10-12 & 1-4 Sun: 1-4 www.aztecmill.com [email protected]

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Friday, August 4, 2017

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Continued story telling Andrew Kliewer Staff Writer

For anyone who sets foot in Philmont’s backcountry, the lifechanging power of the experience is hard to deny. Almost all who enter the Ranch will leave having gained something to take away and carry with them for the rest of their lives. Many tuck away these memories, reminiscing about their journies for years. Others actively share the Philmont experience with others, encouraging fellow Scouts to go or coming back with their own kids as Advisors. While everyone has their own way of extending Philmont memories far beyond their physical presence on the Ranch, few take this to the level of the three authors who sat in the Seton Museum on July 26 with their published books. To those three, their time at Philmont served as an inspiration to mold stories from the landscape they spent so much time in, sharing the spirit of Philmont with countless others along the way. For historian Steve Zimmer, Philmont has been near in both a metaphorical and literal sense. Zimmer has spent all of his adult life in Cimarron, becoming closely acquainted with the area and its history. He served as the director of Philmont’s Seton

Library and Museum in the 1980s and has since written multiple books on the history of the area. His most recently published book, “People of the Cimarron Country” examines the lives of historical figures from Cimarron and the surrounding area. “The book has asides from various people, some good, some bad, from the Cimarron country,” Zimmer said. “Wellknown people, some variety, of course Kit Carson, Waite Phillips, some of the ranchers. Together all those stories show Cimarron’s structure.” While Zimmer’s book examines many historical figures, Harriet Freiberger’s recent publication focuses on only one person. “Lucien Maxwell, Villain or Visionary” examines the life of the man who controlled a land grant spanning all of Philmont’s current land area and more. Freiberger spent time researching in the PTC library while her husband was attending a conference. There she resolved to write a book about Maxwell, who she found fascinating. “I wrote the book with a history decade by decade so that what was going on in the rest of the world accompanied his life,” Freiberger said. “It’s pretty much the history of the Santa Fe Trail because his life paralleled the trail.” In contrast to Freiberger and Zimmer’s nonfiction books, former Philmont staffer and author Warren Smith took a different route. His recent western novel, “Print the Legend” is set in 1880s Cimarron and draws heavily from

Continued from page one: Continued expansion refinished. Once that is completed, the focus will shift to refinishing the dining hall and a sleeping facility. It was decided that those three buildings are the ones that Philmont will be able to use best. The land will also be used for hunter education and archery programs. The hope is that the buildings can be used for local council executive board retreats

as well. There is also the potential to open part of the area to photo tourism and also Cub Scout camp training. “That’s our roadmap, it’s been our masterplan for the last year and a half. There’s things that could potentially change in the future, but right now this is what we’re using as our [plan],” Dowling said.

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Former Philmont staff member Warren Smith, author of Print the Legend, reminisces with Stephen Zimmer, author of People of the Cimarron Canyon on July 26 during a book signing at the Seton Museum. Madelynne Scales/PhilNews

his previous Philmont experience. Smith spent seven years in total on staff and met his wife at Philmont. His four kids have all been to the Ranch, and he has been active in the Philmont Staff Association for many years. While Smith had previously written historical books about Philmont, including “I Want to Go Back,” a history of the Ranger department, he had always wanted to write a novel featuring Philmont. One day when he was cleaning out his library, inspiration came to him. “I kept one of the old Louis L’amour Westerns that I read when I was a kid,” Smith said. “And I thought, you know this is pretty

good, but it was a little thin on character development and some other aspects. And I wondered if I could do a book like that which had a really fast moving plot but was set in country I knew, Philmont, and also had maybe a little more of a dimension to it.” The novels published by these three authors serve the culmination of years of both experiences and work, tying together inspirations from their own lives with countless hours of research and writing. All three encourage others to follow in their footsteps and have plenty of advice to offer based off of their careers. To Freiberger, consistency is key

in the writing world. “Everyday you should write something,” she said. “Whatever you’re going to do, I think it’s important this time in your life to just take a little notebook and everyday or every week just make a note. Keep it, keep it because it’s so good.” Smith agrees, and added in another piece of advice: to finish a story. “A lot of young writers especially end up with ideas, and they start a story, but they never finish it,” he said. “A writer once told me that whenever you finish a story you have to solve problems, and solving those problems will

Although the facilities are being updated, it is important to remember the history of Cimarroncita, home to the Cimarroncita Ranch Camp for Girls from 1931-95. The camp, acquired and run by Minnette Thompson, was a popular destination known as “one of the most elegant, exclusive and finest summer camps in the country,” according to the Cimarroncita website. “There will be a small museum there, I’m sure that’s a couple years out, that’ll highlight the

Cimarroncita function of that property as well as Ute Park and some other things that happened in that area,” said Dowling. Long before the camp was established, the area was used by Native Americans as hunting grounds and by the United States Cavalry as a place to pasture their horses. Then, in the early 1900s, the area was a popular tourist destination because of the railroad that ran through Cimarron Canyon, according to the Cimarroncita website. The museum will pay tribute to the

area and its history. Though parts of these plans remain tentative, Philmont is working toward making those opportunities available as soon as possible. “To take a piece of property and be able to develop it is always exciting. We meet on a monthly basis as we continue to develop the property and it’s something that’s going to take years, it’s not going to take a year,” said Dowling. “Our goal is that hopefully by next summer we’ll be using that facility.”

PhilmontScoutRanch.org

Better together Suzannah Evans PhilNews Editor Philmont is the perfect spot for a family vacation. Just ask the Hummer family from Savannah, MO. This past July, the Hummer Clan of 12 all Trekked together, adding a special element to their adventures. While common for parents and children to accompany each other through the Ranch, having three brothers, a best friend, and eight children combined on one itinerary is relatively rare. Brothers Kevin, Mark, and Rodney and their lifelong family friend, John Karrasch, grew up in Scouting, but never made it to Philmont as youth. Over the past few years, many members of this year’s Trek have completed Treks, albeit this is the first time all 12 of them have hiked together. “Kevin, Mark and myself all came up in the same Troop that we brought our kids up in. And Jim Lear was our Scout Master. He came down here several times when we were young with his kids….” said Rodney. “He actually drove down here to meet us getting off the bus,” added Mark. Kevin brought his four sons, Cody, Michael, Seth, and Gabriel while Mark brought Liam and Will and Rodney brought Josh and John brought Jacob. The family has always been close and often adventures together. “We all went on a cruise together a couple of years ago,” said Seth. The family began preparing to complete Itinerary 18 about a year ago. “Over the course of six months, we had a meeting periodically. We’d show up with our packs, [and prepare],” said Wilderness Guia Jacob. Something else that aided in their level of preparedness was the fact that Mark, Rodney, Kevin, and Seth have served in the Air Force and that John served in the Army. The Hummers had a few unique ways of keeping each other

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Friday, August 4, 2017 motivated and in good spirits while hiking. “One of the things that got us through the Trek was probably Helga, the 10 pound weight, we took everywhere with us, up Baldy and everything, and we got every favorite staffer at each staff camp, we had him or her sign it,” said Liam of the dumbbell weight they took turns carrying around the ranch. Another favorite of theirs was playing hacky sack in picturesque locations such as near the top of Baldy. “We got a nine person hack,” said Seth of their games. The Hummers also adopted a few mottos for their Trek such as “Let Go and Let God,” and “No matter what comes in life, family is always first.” They also credited the success of their Trek to prayer. “Something else that helped our family on the trail was praying the Rosary,” said Seth. Despite already being a close knit family, the Hummers say that Philmont made them even closer. “There are very few things that can bring an already close family closer together,” said Liam, “and that’s Philmont.” For the adults on Trek, this trip was a dream come true. “It was the culmination of our Scouting experience,” said Mark.”It was the putting together of our merit badges, and our adult leadership training.” While they grew closer as a family and gained valuable wilderness experience, many of the Hummers were missing people back home. “My biggest regret was that I could not take my wife and three daughters,” said Rodney, “Just to share the experience, to be in the outdoors, it’s so magical, it’s so intense and beautiful, we just became so close to God, it would have been awesome to share that with my wife and three daughters,” said Rodney. His nephew shared in the sentiment. Another family member that was sorely missed was their father and grandfather, Richard. Currently, Rodney is the boys’ Scoutmaster. At one time Mark also served as Scoutmaster of Troop 60, and

“The Hummer Family Vacation.” Philmont trek 719-K1 is comprised of perhaps the most amount of relatives in one crew. The crew has four advisors, three of whom are brothers and one of which is a best friend. Of the eight scouts, seven are cousins and one is the best friend. Madelynne Scales/PhilNews

Kevin Hummer/Philmont Participant

before him, their father did as well. The Hummers are still a part of the Troop that they started Scouting in when Rodney, Mark, and Kevin were boys. Jacob serves as Troop Guide in Troop 167 in Leavenworth, KS. “My only regret is that my dad couldn’t come with us,” said Mark. The brothers have a fourth brother, Rick, who was unable to come this time, and a sister, Annette. While most of the group has had previous Trek experience,

memories of their 2017 Trek will remain especially dear because of the deep connection they all share. “Being able to spend it with my family [was the best part of the Trek],” said Will. “[Philmont helped us build] the relationships that we already had to a different level,” said Cody. They hope to return someday, maybe with even more family members. “At least if my boys are interested to come down, and if

not, with my grandkids.” said Mark. The timing of their Trek marks the end of an epic summer, and the beginning of a new chapter for many of the boys. Some will be returning to high school, while others will be starting college. Though life will continue on for the Hummer family, they will always have memories of Baldy and Helga to remind them of their most epic family adventure yet.

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PhilNews | 11

Friday, August 4, 2017

Join The PSA! Connect with over 3,200 current www.philstaff.org and former staff members like yourself who have hiked Philmont’s rugged mountain trails and who are vitally interested in and dedicated to the future of Philmont. Projects that make a difference • Seasonal Staff Scholarships • Staff Amigos • Rayado, ROCS, & STEM Scholarships • Volunteer Vacation • PSA Staff Dining Hall & SSSAC • Handicap accessible bathrooms at PTC Dining Hall • Funded early years of Cabin Restoration • Donated dollars to flood restoration projects. • Raising funds for new PSA building and Museum Expansion Project Benefits of PSA Membership • High Country The bimonthly magazine of the PSA containing the latest news of the ranch, activities of PSA members and news of northern New Mexico. • Online Resources Give back, keep informed, and purchase PSA clothing and gear on our website www.philstaff.org • Regional and National Reunions During the off season get your Philmont fix by hanging out with other PSA-ers who live in the area. Or return back to the ranch for the annual reunions. • Membership card and sticker I-Camp to: PSA OFFICE Or Drop off: PSA office in the Beaubien Building at PTC Or Mail to: Philmont Staff Association 17 Deer Run Road, Cimarron, NM 87714 Seasonal Membership $15.00

Includes a year’s subscription to High Country, the PSA membership directory, all additional mailings, an open invitation to all PSA events and a vote in PSA elections. Contact Information: Name Mailing Address City, State, Zip Email Current Position Previous Positions and Years Circle which membership option you would prefer $15.00 One year membership Method of Payment

$60.00 Five year membership Total Amount $________

Payroll Deduction (available until July 31) ______ Cash_____ Check_____ Visa_____ MasterCard_____ Credit Card Number_________________________________ Expiration Date_____________________________________ Name on Card______________________________________ Signature__________________________________________ Make Check payable to: Philmont Staff Association *$60 membership will be deducted from payroll in two $30 installments.

12| PhilNews

Friday, August 4, 2017

PhilmontScoutRanch.org

“Field of Iris’” Photo by Evan Winter. First Place Plant Life.

“Busy” Photo by Timothy Doherty. First Place Animals and Wildlife; Third Place Overall.

“Clean EVERYTHING” Photo by Austin Wilson. First Place Humor.

“Dinner at the Fort” Photo by Andrew Combs. First Place Black and White.

“The Old Barn” Photo by Evan Winter. First Place Landscapes; First Place Overall

“Boss McCree” Photo by Jake Dugger. First Place Philmont Portraits.

“Ascending” Photo by Thomas Mejia. First Place Camper Activity.

“Navigation” Photo by Elyse Rucker. First Place Staff Activity.

“Sunrise at Sawmill” Photo by Elyse Rucker. First Place Porch Views; Second Place Overall.

“Admiring the Sky” Photo by Evan Winter. First Place Philmont Skies.