Issue 10.indd - Philmont Scout Ranch

AUGUST 11TH, 2017

PHILNEWS

Madelynne Scales/PhilNews

PSA Trek 2017

The God Squad

Roses, Thorns, and Buds

Elizabeth Harper Staff Writer When a Suburban with a Chaplain sticker on the back window pulls up to a camp, many people can breathe a sigh of relief. The Philmont Chaplains, affectionately nicknamed ‘The God Squad’ by the staff, are an integral force that help out wherever needed to keep Philmont running smoothly. When they appear at a camp, it means help has arrived. The Philmont Chaplains are a group made up of men from four different faith groups. This summer, they are Protestant pastors, Catholic priests, a Catholic seminarian, a Jewish rabbi and an Elder from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). The Chaplains fulfill a unique role at Philmont. Though they’re mostly known for seeming to be everywhere at once, they have a schedule that allows them to be as useful as possible. In addition to holding services for their faith each night at 7 p.m., the Chaplains are part of a eight-week rotation that has them driving all over and doing various jobs to support the Ranch. Continued on page 5

ISSUE TEN

Andrew Kliewer Staff Writer

Richard Blair from Orlando, FL, and Doug Adams from Fort Myers, FL, look on their map with a headlight while Brad Rosser from Columbus, OH, and Patrick English from Big Rapids, MI, look on from a distance to see which trail to take on. English spent the years 1992-98 at Philmont in the Backcountry. “Its great to be back, PSA is great for not losing the connection,” English said. Evan Mattingly/PhilNews


As PSA Trek Four waved goodbye to their bus and began their hike up the fog-shrouded canyon to Turkey Creek Camp, the group could be mistaken for any typical Philmont crew from a distance. Besides the red polo shirts reading “Philmont Staff Association” in small letters, the trek had all the typical markings of a crew: a navigator leading

the way, a crew leader providing encouragement and a Ranger following behind. At a closer glance, one might notice that the members all appeared to be the same age as Advisors, rather than the typical mix of teenagers and adults seen in the Backcountry. That was no planning mistake, but rather a central feature of the trek. Every participant was either a former Philmont staffer or their family member, coming to

a place deeply ingrained in their hearts and minds for a five-day Staff Association trek through the Backcountry. The fog soon burned off and storm clouds begin to bubble up as the group hiked into Turkey Creek. Amid rumbles of thunder, Ranger Vincent Moreschi explained bear bag procedures and Leave No Trace principles to the former staffers gathered around. Continued on page 8

As Scouts take one final step and propel themselves over the ridgeline to the top of Baldy Mountain, it’s difficult not to be struck by awe. Behind them, light gleams off of the snowcapped peaks of Wheeler and Little Costilla, with the dark shapes of further mountains framing the horizon. Ahead, the verdant green of aspen trees are visible in the valley below, and grassy plains stretch seemingly forever into the distance behind the faint outline of the Tooth of Time. For most crews, this is a triumphant yet serious moment, a time for both celebration and reflection. With views of both what they have already accomplished and what is yet to come unraveled like a map below them, it is an ideal time to recount Roses, Thorns and Buds from their trek. A Rose, like the vibrant red flower contrasted against its bush, is a particular moment or experience that stands out from during a trek. For Cole Dunton, in Continued on page 6

Friday, August 11, 2017

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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

PhilmontScoutRanch.org

August 2017 Friday

Saturday

Sunday

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Ranger CT - Wilderness Philosophy- 6pmWalcutt Room

S’more Night 8-11 pm behind Baldy Pav.

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

Tye-Dye Day #3 1-5pm, 8-10pm

Ranger CT - Cons Special Guests- 6pmWalcutt Room

Ranger CT- TBD-6pm Walcutt Room

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Ranger CT - Cons Special Guests- 6pmWalcutt Room

Ranger CT- Mammals6pm Walcutt Room

Dodgeball #3 8-11 pm

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Jam Night @ SSSAC Porch 8 PM

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Thursday

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

S’more Night 8-11 pm behind Baldy Pav.

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.

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

T a T p n i b m 2 a a W s t


Chaplain’s Corner: Presence Fr. Don K. Hummel Catholic Chaplain From the lofty mountain peaks’ purple grandeur, To the lush, secret dusty-emerald valleys. From silver sage carpeted wildflower meadows, To ice-blue water teeming with glistening life and energy. From whispering pines and shimmering aspens, To limitless vistas that see into forever. -You are powerfully and richly present. In cool, crisp morning’s light, Scorching, oven-hot midday Surprise explosion of unrestrained thunder and lightning, With the drenching afternoon showers and hail, And soothing soft evening breezes around a languid campfire. - You are lovingly and reassuringly present. In the eagles’ soaring, gliding flight, Or cheerful squirrel and chipmunk chatter. In harmonious hymn of bear,

Bearing with it

Garerett Hood Bear Researcher

Well, it is getting to be that time. The summer is coming to a close and I am finishing my final report. This summer for the bear research program was a success. We may not have been able to get Philmont its first population density survey but we managed to accomplish many other crucial tasks. With 2 weeks left we are still without a bear casualty which is a huge accomplishment for this program. We only had 3 bear incidents this summer including one successful trap and release. We also were

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Friday, August 11, 2017 antelope, deer and coyote. Or ink-dark, starlit symphony of evening vespers. - You are gracefully and gently present Under strain and sweat of packstrap, Through shared frustration and exhilaration. On dust-dry paths and bare-rock summits, Through the shaken-down, armin-arm comradeship of the trail - You are personally and intimately present. In the sudden, unexpected trailturn, That reveals that lifetransforming, Never-be-the same again glimpse Your divine face. We boldly, hopefully reach And touch And we know profoundly. You are mystically, eternally present We listen, With the ear of the hear. We see, With the eye of the soul. Those who have not, Cannot. Those who have, Are certain. - You are Presence.

able to improve our always important educational element of our program by speaking with specialty treks and visiting staff camps and answering questions from other crews. Populations of both bear and mountain lion will be considered healthy thanks to the numerous bear/lion reports received, game camera footage, and wildlife census cards. The ground work laid this summer will be beneficial to next summer when we begin to delve even deeper into our wildlife residents. I say “we” because “we” as Philmont staff all had a helping hand in this successful year of following bear procedures. I want to thank everyone who helped me enforce procedures and keep Philmont’s spirit of conservation

Mark’s Minute

Mark Anderson Diretor of Program

Every day of the summer, many last(ing) impressions are made. We greet someone and say good bye. We help someone at our work site and they leave heading to the next stop along their Philmont Journey to have yet another last(ing) impression. We see something and continue on or someone sees something and continues. Over and over this takes place in lots of different ways to each of us and to each participant and visitor to Philmont. Behavioral research by Nobel Psychologist Daniel Kahneman, shows that our memories are very selective. In particular, no matter how extended an event, we form our views and make our evaluation based – with dramatic skew – on the “most intense moments” and the “final moments.” As I read evaluations, receive messages and letters, and talk with participants, visitors and staff I know that every one of us have had “most intense moments” during our 2017 Philmont Adventure. Take a moment and think back over the summer and reflect on your “most intense moments”. I at the top of their list. Every camp I visited in the Backcountry was phenomenal with following procedures, providing awareness, and communicating with me in a timely manner even when they did not have enough bear reports. I am thankful for the Rangers leading the Crews to greatness and hanging out with me on workdays. I am thankful for my Philfam in the conservation office allowing me to share their space with them and giving me opportunities to educate ROCS, TCT, and STEM Trek. I am thankful for my supervisor Casey Myers for directing me in the right direction and keeping me focused on what is important for the program. Even though we were unable to obtain some of the data we wanted, we were able to

know that some of mine have been in the backcountry, some have been at CHQ and some have been at the Philmont Training Center. Watching the light bulb turn on for a conference participant at PTC is exciting. These special moments will impact others as the person returns home and puts in practice new knowledge that will affect many young people involved in the Boy Scouts of America. Many of my “most intense moments” have involved you, the 2017 Philmont Staff. Through the emergencies of the summer (including rain, dry conditions, and rain and yet more rain), the day to day delivery of a world class program, being in service to your peers and your internal and external customers, and enjoying time with new friends; you have demonstrated the concepts that we talked about at the first of the summer as we examined the “brand” of Philmont (the pile of rocks, the unique history of the land, Waite and Genevieve Phillips, the lasting journey of each participant, the passion displayed by each staff member, and our special relationship to the Scouting program.) Now we come to the last(ing) impressions. What will they be? We certainly don’t want anything to go wrong as everyone experiences their departure from their 2017 Philmont Adventure or

for that fact a normal conclusion of an encounter with us during these final days. Consider those last impressions: tear them apart, tiny step by tiny step by tiny step. They must be memorable, compelling, emotional, “aggressively right” and above all “obsess on the endings!” I hope you will insure that your last impressions are “lasting impressions” and I hope that as you enjoy last encounters with others that you will be part of their “lasting impressions”. We have focused on “the experience and the journey” throughout our time here this summer at this special “pile of rocks.” We must strive every day to the end to keep that focus. Thank you for a great summer! I am proud of the job each of you have done throughout the summer. Make and enjoy “lasting impressions” as your 2017 adventure here at Philmont comes to an end. In the coming months, we will each have an opportunity to engage a new group of friends and coworkers, as we embark on new adventures. I hope that you will continue to find “most intense moments” and make a difference in their lives as you continue your journey. I look forward to hearing your stories next summer when we gather back at this special “pile of rocks”.

Evan Mattingly/PhilNews

build this program into so much more and I am looking forward to hopefully coming back next year to progress and obtain more data for this place 1200 of us call home for three months of summer. This summer will leave a positive

lasting impact on my life and the memories I made will have me saying to myself in graduate school this fall “I WANT TO GO BACK TO PHILMONT!” As always make sure to hang those bear bags!


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The Trail of Courage

Mark Anderson Director of Program

Strong Body, Clear Mind, Pure Spirit and a Devotion to the Welfare of Others Spending a summer in the State of New Mexico is a special experience. The state is a country of rich diversity and ancient history. Many aspects of this history are played out each day across the Ranch. I have also talked with staff who on their days off have enjoyed adventures in Taos or Santa Fe learning more about New Mexico. The Zia Sun Symbol is

featured on the New Mexico flag. The Zia Indians regard the Sun as a sacred symbol and the number Four is a sacred number. Its symbolism on the flag refers to: • The four points of the compass. • The four seasons of the year. • The four periods of each day: morning, noon, evening and night. • The four seasons of life: childhood, youth, middle years and old age. • The four sacred obligations one must develop: strong body, clear mind, pure spirit and a devotion to the welfare of others. This summer we are encouraging every participant and every staff member to join the Trail of Courage – Right Decisions/ Right Now – Be Tobacco Free

Program. The program is about adopting a healthy lifestyle. Pledging to become personally fit, eat a nutritious diet, exercise, be tobacco free, live free of drug and alcohol habits, learn the seven cancer danger signs, and live the Scout Oath and Law. On August 4th, we have had 9,404 backcountry participants from 1004 crews make the pledge. Rangers begin the conversation with their crews and the Crew Leader continues the discussions until the members of the crew make their pledge on the last night of the trek. Encouraging people to commit to a healthy lifestyle is a great extension of the Philmont Experience. Listening to crew leaders and advisors share their experiences about getting ready for the trek, losing weight and becoming physically fit is very exciting. Continuing to do this

PhilmontScoutRanch.org once they are home will be the test. If they continue, I know that they will find ways to return to their “mountains” for additional adventures. More than 72,000 people have participated in the Trail of Courage Program since it was first introduced in 2011 and have taken the pledge to commit to a healthy life style. The US Surgeon General reports that the use of E-cigarettes among teens dropped in 2016 reversing and upward trend. He has also reported that the use of conventional cigarettes has continued to drop following a slow declined that has existed for more than two decades. The US Surgeon General encourages everyone to continue their efforts to ensure that the decline in teen use of tobacco continue. The Trail of Courage Program is an effort that can take place at Philmont Scout Ranch and carry over when

a crew returns hope to focus on healthy living and the dangers of tobacco use. We have shared a process for each staff member to follow to participate in the Trail of Courage – Right Decisions/Right Now – Be Tobacco Free Program. If you need a copy of the participation form drop by Camping Headquarters to obtain one and then take time to complete your pledge. We have had 447 members of the Philmont Staff take the pledge. I hope you will join me in this effort. I can see a direct connection between the life we live as a member of the Philmont Staff, the Trail of Courage program, and the Zia sacred obligation one must develop: strong body, clear mind, pure spirit and a devotion to the welfare of others. I hope you see the connection as well!

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Continued from page one: The God Squad

r “We’re here to help,” said oProtestant Pastor Walter Mees. e“We’re not here to push our brand eof religion. We’re here to help in dwhatever way we can, if we can.” m The Chaplains help in many odifferent ways throughout the osummer. Ideally, there are eight eChaplains, one for each rotation tand one to serve as the relief uChaplain. Their assignments are Camping Headquarters, nthe Philmont Training Center, aBackcountry A and B, Logistics eA and B, Infirmary and Relief. eEach week their assignment tsends them off to interact with ,and help various people. e “We’re Chaplains to everyone eon the ranch. That includes permanent staff, seasonal staff, their families, all the trekkers, and all of the people come to the Training Center. We’re their Chaplains as well,” said Elder Paul

Anderson, who is in his 3rd year of chaplaincy. “I think the thing that we would like to be known for is that we’re approachable and we’re easy to talk to. Anyone can come and share what’s on their mind.” One of the jobs the Chaplains are most well-known for is their help with backcountry transportation. They drive to staff camps to pick up Infirmary patients, give rides to staff members, deliver mail and emergency messages and do anything else that needs to be done. “Most of us like to be in the Backcountry. Really and truly, we do spend most of our time back there,” said Anderson. “Sometimes things get a little wild back there and both Logistics A and Logistics B are out dealing with something, so then they’ll see who’s in Base and send them out.” Being a Chaplain has given

both Mees and Anderson a new perspective on Philmont and all it takes to keep the Ranch running, especially since both have prior Philmont experience. Anderson has attended and worked at the PTC, and Mees has been on multiple Calvalcades. “This is like a peek behind the curtain in the Wizard of Oz. Just a day of listening to the radio shows all it takes to run this place. Well, it doesn’t show all of it, but it shows way more than I could even imagine,” said Mees. “The wife and I love what happens here, we love the people, we love to see the change that happens in hikers and the experiences that they have,” said Anderson. “But we didn’t know there’s this whole army working out of Base Camp to make sure those hikers have everything they need. It was a little bit of a

Shooting sports at the Ranch

new pistol range currently in the works. For the past several years, it has served as a highlight of the PTC’s program, used by sixyear-olds learning to shoot and adults looking to sharpen their marksmanship. “It’s nice to see families come out here on family day and to see parents work together and spend time with their kids,” Shooting Sports Director Alicia Thompson said. “Normally the only time the younger kids get to do this is if Mom and Dad take them to summer camp.” Thompson, along with her husband and fellow Shooting Sports director Bern Holman, has watched the Complex rise from the dirt and become one of the premier Boy Scout gun ranges nationwide. Today, when Scouts load shells into their shotguns and aim towards the sky, they are handling a Browning Citori CXS that costs approximately $2,200. The real value of these firearms comes when they are in the hands of participants, however, being used to create lasting memories. “I like working with a really big vision and seeing it slowly come together,” Thompson said. “Having to say, let’s buy new

good stuff, not buy cheap and just watching it turn into a real range. I started out with less than a page of inventory and now I have almost four.” Both Thompson and Holman have Scouting careers that stretch back to before the range was constructed. For Holman, it began in 1966, when he started working in Philmont’s Backcountry. Over the next five summers, he worked his way up, eventually becoming the Camp Director at Cyphers Mine. It was there Holman conceived the idea for living history camps, a concept which would revolutionize the Backcountry experience. “I drove up to Denver, got carbide lamps, suspenders, plaid shirts, and we all got blue jeans and blue jean jackets and we started doing the role of miners,” he said. “And the word started getting out as the crews and advisors started talking about it. We had Ranch management come up, see how we did the program, and they liked it.” After a career in law enforcement, Holman became involved in shooting sports for his local council camp. While at a NRA certification course, he


As the sun fades behind the mountains and the sky begins to turn shades of pink and orange, shots echo along Cito Road. A clay pigeon launches into the air and is promptly blasted into fragments, leading to applause from those watching. As the participant reloads, the next person shouts “pull,” and another pigeon shoots out of the launcher, beginning the process again. This shotgun shooting program is occurring not at a Backcountry camp, but right across the road from the Philmont Training Center. The JB and Anne Hodgdon Shooting Sports Complex started construction three years ago, originally with just a BB gun, archery and tomahawk/slingshot range. Due to generous gifts from private donors, the Complex today has expanded to include both a shotgun and .22 rifle range, with a

Pastor Wally 10-7’s his arrival to a Backcountry camp as he prepares to exchange some supplies for staff members going on days. “I can add [driving on backcountry roads] to the list of things they didn’t teach us in the seminary,” he said. Dalton Puckett/PhilNews

surprise to see how many people are working so hard to give crews a great experience.” Though many different Chaplains come and go throughout the summer, they are alike in that they are always willing to help staff and participants alike however they can. “I think we have responded to the needs [of Philmont] as well

as can be expected. I’m really impressed with the other guys,” said Mees. “They really seem to know what they’re doing, these guys who have been here multiple years. They really care about it, they’re always thinking about ways to make it better. When they call for a chaplain, one of us answers that call.”

Bern and Alicia Holman in front of the Shooting Sports Complex near the Philmont Training Center and Administration. Bern and Alicia have big plans for the future of the range and are looking forward to expanding. Shane Mrozek/PhilNews

met the director of National Camp Schools and decided to attend. Afterwards, he was hired for his current job along with Thompson, another National Camp Schools Alumni. Together, the pair direct the range each summer, in addition to certifying Backcountry staff at shooting camps and leading fall conferences. They have a busy schedule, guiding PTC groups on the range by day and holding staff shoots Monday through Thursday

evenings at 7. However, for both Holman and Thompson, the dividends from their work are seen constantly, as participants with little previous experience gain both confidence and skill. “We teach them how to handle firearms safely,” Holman said. “So I think that’s how we get our biggest pleasure out of this, seeing the smiles on their faces. They can actually use a firearm the way it’s supposed to be used.”


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Continued from page one: Roses, Thorns and Buds MO, a Rose is being able to continue an important family tradition. “My Rose would be getting to the top of mountains, getting to the the Tooth, and seeing all these awesome views,” he said. “Being up here on top of Baldy is amazing because my uncle and my grandfather did this, and I’ve been wanting to do this, so just getting to continue the family tradition of doing this.” Andrew Kim, Crew Leader of Troop 319 from La Crescenta, CA, believed that the Rose of his trek was watching his crew come together. “My Rose definitely has to be, as a crew chief, seeing all of the crew bonding and becoming closer,” he said. “We had last minute changes and had to combine our sister crews into one major crew. And we overcame that really well and that was really awesome to see.” With every beautiful rose bush comes the risk of sharp thorns, and Philmont is no exception. Every crew encounters difficulties along their path, whether thunderstorms, blisters, or even crew dynamic issues. The true test occurs when Scouts come together to resolve

these situations, forging a stronger bond in the process. In some cases, this may mean taking on unexpected responsibilities. “My Thorn would be when the crew isn’t running smoothly,” Ben Garbarini, in Troop 183 from Bedford, VA, said. “Like if someone is struggling, you just want to go there and pick up all the slack, so maybe you’ll carry something for someone to take the extra weight, just so we can get the stuff done easier.” Just like a rose bush can’t exist without thorns, Philmont would not be the same without experiences that test the physical and mental resolve of crews. Nathan O’Brien, also in Troop 183, believes that Thorns have been a defining part of his time on the Ranch. “If there were no Thorns, then there would be no stories to tell,” he said. “We’d only be able to say we hiked this many miles, we went to see this view and this view, and that’s all we did. I mean it’s hailed here, and it’s funny to talk about that. There are a lot of good stories to tell on Thorns.” As crews take in the view on top of Baldy, Ponil Canyon is visible in the distance. In several days,

many will be picked up at the Turnaround, ending their time in the Backcountry for the summer. When they leave Philmont, they will take away memories of their time on the Ranch, and share their newfound knowledge and experiences with others back at home. These serve as “Buds,” potentially growing an entirely new Philmont journey as others decide to make the trip to New Mexico. “My Bud will be taking all this back to the Troop, sharing my experiences with the younger scouts, the first years,” JT Truman of Troop 1220 said. “Saying what they can look up to if they continue Scouts, that they can go to all these wonderful places and have a bunch of fun.” In an even simpler form, a Bud can simply be the life changing power that twelve days at Philmont has. For Ryan Mccain of Troop 1220, this was certainly evident. “My Bud is going to be coming back, looking in a mirror and being changed from this,” he said. “Not everyone gets to be able to come out here and to come back and talk about it. It’s great getting the opportunity to do this.”


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

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Phone: 575-376-9040

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Artifacts and history in a most unique museum

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8 | PhilNews

Philmont’s favorite meal Maxwell Miller Welcome Center/Contributing Writer Late in the 1980s, a low-fat diet craze took the American public by storm. Capitalizing on the rising fear of saturated fats, the food industry changed course to cater to this new health-focused society. Among major changes in food production, Americans began to make changes in their diet to accommodate their health and weight concerns; burgers were replaced with chicken breast and pork chops, shopping carts were filled with low-fat, high-carb foods, and produce saw a rise in popularity. While these industry changes did not result in a healthier public, a few of the shopping trends stuck. Low-fat and fat-free goods can still be found on shelves today, produce can be found fresh and

abundant, and chicken holds its throne as a healthy, staple dinner. Before 1990, chicken tenders were unheard of. Now, even walking through the Shellturned-grocery store in Cimarron, packages of the appetizing snacks can be found lining the frozen section. Americans crave convenience, and when the dinner plate shifted from red meat to white meat, an easy-to-cook, lower-fat, and tasty alternative to burgers skyrocketed in popularity. This popularity can even be seen here in the rural kitchen of base camp. Staffers and campers alike rush into their dining halls for a helping of juicy, crispy, honey-mustard glazed strips, only to return to the line for seconds, thirds, or more. Don Van Hook, one of the shining faces of the Welcome Center staff, thinks chicken tenders “are pretty good compared to the other food here”, and he shares a common belief among base camp diners. Wesley Camet, from Outfitting Services, enjoys his tenders with barbecue sauce. Of all the lunches in base camp, chicken tenders reach the top of the list. But given how popular chicken

Continued from page one: PSA Trek 2017 While this talk was familiar to many, aspects of it had changed since their last trek at Philmont. At Base Camp, the differences were even greater, with some having eaten in the Staff Dining Hall for the first time the previous day. However for Christopher Adams, who worked as a Ranger for four summers between 2000 and 2004, one of the most important parts of the trek was seeing what hadn’t changed. “Yeah, there’s a lot of little things that have changed, but the core of the experience remains the same more or less,” he said. “That’s probably what makes people want to keep coming back.” As the participants worked together to hang bear bags and set up the dining fly, conversation flowed freely. Anyone observing would be hardpressed to realize

that several days ago, most members of the group had never met. The trek consisted of several families and individuals, including a married couple, former staffers bringing their adult children to experience Philmont and previous staff who invited their parents. Doug Adams, Christopher’s father, experienced the bonding effect of the trek firsthand. “We’ve got a great group, and it’s very diverse,” he said. “They all had different experiences working here. As an outsider, not working here, it’s neat to be able to listen to their stories and kind of live vicariously through them and the experiences they had.” For Doug and many other family members on the trek, this was their first opportunity to experience Philmont’s Backcountry. While participant Greg Gourdé had

tenders are, Philmont still goes through more than you’d think. According to Philmont’s website, the ranch employs over 1100 staff members this summer scattered between backcountry camps, base camp, rangers, and the Philmont Training Center. Before Scouts arrive, all staffers undergo nearly fourteen days of training, which results in two weeks of staff-consumed lunches in base camp during training week. However, during the regular summer season roughly 500 employees eat lunch in base camp each day. Additionally, Philmont expects roughly 22,000 trekkers this summer. Every day, 350 participants arrive at base camp, and the same number depart. Given that roughly half of the crews arrive after lunch time, and the same percentage depart before lunch, an estimated 500 participants eat lunch in base camp. Combined with staff diners, this results in roughly 1000 lunchgoers per day. The Philmont summer season stretches from June 8 to August 22, a busy 75 days of activity. In one summer season, the dining previously spent three years on staff both as a Ranger and in Backcountry, his wife Asuka had never been to Philmont. Since the couple had previously hiked in Asuka’s native Japan, Greg wanted to show his wife the place that he enjoyed backpacking the most. Together, they did several practice hikes starting in May and then came to Philmont ready for adventure. “I’m having fun,” Asuka said. “It’s been a kind of short day, only a three or four hour hike, so I’m just seeing the scenery and all. I’m very comfortable hiking with [the group] because they worked here a lot and have experience and knowledge.” As the sun set below the ridge and night began to creep into the sky, everybody came together for Roses, Thorns and Buds, a Philmont tradition that predates most staff. Almost all were appreciative of the opportunity to be back on the Ranch and looked forward to the coming days, which

PhilmontScoutRanch.org hall will complete five, fifteenday meal rotations, but chicken tenders are so popular that each meal rotation has two chicken tender meals, making it the only meal to appear more than once per rotation. This means that each summer season has ten chicken tender lunches, plus an additional two lunches for staff during training week. After crunching the numbers, trekkers and staff will consume roughly 11,850 chicken tender lunches in the regular season. However, because each lunch provides two chicken tenders, in addition to seconds, at least 30,000 chicken tenders will be consumed during the regular season; plus an additional 5,550 tenders during staff training. In one summer, Philmont will engulf roughly 35,550 delicious chicken tenders, give or take a few thousand. To put this massive amount of meat into perspective, let’s talk in terms of whole chickens. Three to four strips can be made from one chicken breast, and, contrary to popular belief, a chicken has only one breast. To supply one summer at Philmont, between 9,000 and

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12,000 chickens sacrifice their delicious meat. According to the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, the average poultry farm sells 14,500 chickens per year. Effectively, an entire chicken farm is needed to fuel Philmont’s chicken tender needs. If that wasn’t enough, just E picture the sheer weight of this S magnitude of chicken tenders. A three-pound bag of Tyson Crispy s Chicken Strips contains roughly M eighteen individual strips, which t divides down to six strips per a pound. Using this ratio, Philmont o will consume nearly 6000 pounds i of chicken strips in one summer. A The dining hall will cook as much s chicken as the weight of two 2017 F Toyota Priuses, one-fourth of an F anchor of a cruise ship, five grizzly P bears, and thirty Mark Andersons. L Trekkers and staffers alike have C an insatiable desire for the fried, delicious entree, and it seems like P the colossal amount of tenders still isn’t enough. In 1984, Wendy’s d released an ad campaign asking e “Where’s the beef?”, but in 2017, w it seems that all of Philmont wants I to know, “Where’s the chicken o tenders?” w a

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A S t i I t i Rachel Blair from Orlando, FL, and Christopher Adams from Fort Myers, FL, take a second to map out a safe route for the 10 mile hike B c they will do the following day on Sunday, July 30, 2017. Evan Mattingly/ E would include summiting Baldy you can’t call the place just at Mountain with full packs. As Scout camp, you can’t call it just aw the tired participants fell asleep hiking trek,” former BackcountryI in their tents, they could relax, staffer Patrick English said.C knowing that they were finally “There’s no adequate descriptionI HOmE. that you can give anyone withoutm “[Philmont] defies description, and I think that’s one of the things that when you talk to somebody who’s never experienced Philmont,

saying you just need to get here d and get your backpack on.” y



Scouting in foreign lands

Elizabeth Harper Staff Writer

Recently, PhilNews interviewed some of our International Staff Members asking them about their past Scouting experiences and their time in America and on the Ranch. Those interviewed included, Chantal Sauer from Aachen, Germany who spent the summer at Phillips’ Junction, Fabien Baudelet from Amiens, France, who worked at the PTC, and Monika Picz from Lodz, Poland, who worked at Cimarroncito. How did you first hear about Philmont? Chantal: I stayed in Minnesota during high school with an exchange program, and I stayed with a host family that had 3 boys. I’m still in contact with them. The oldest one of them and his dad went to Philmont last summer, and afterward they said I should totally come because it’s an awesome place to be, and because it’s a really cool experience. So I decided to give it a shot. Fabien: I met other international Scouters who worked at Philmont before. A guy from Egypt and a guy from South Africa. I met them at International Scout gatherings and they told me about Philmont. Monika: I was working for the American Institute for Foreign Studies, so last summer I came to Rodney Scout Reservation, but it wasn’t through BSA. But then I found out, working at Rodney, that there is such a thing as the international camp staff program. Because I am still in Scouting I could participate in this program. Everybody at Rodney [was] talking about Philmont. I really wanted to end up here because I knew it was still the Sangre de Cristo Range of the mountains and I hike a lot, so I wanted to have more backcountry experience. How is American Scouting different from Scouting where you’re from? Chantal: First of all, Scouting

Chantal Sauer from Aachen, Germany. Drew Castellaw/PhilNews

in Germany is generally coeducational. In Germany, there isn’t one Scouting organization, there’s three big ones, and there’s another five small ones. It’s super cool. All of it is youth lead. When I was 15, I started leading my first Scout group. I lead a group of seven 12-year-olds together with another kid. Fabien: We don’t have that many merit badges or specific skills we have to reach to go to a different level of Scouting. We have some patches but it’s not so important, like here. I would say it’s more about how to interact within a group, learning democracy, how to speak in front of a group. It’s less about practical skills. Monika: It’s much different, to be honest. First thing which is really different, I would be a really old Scoutmaster if I would lead a crew now. I’m 25. Most of the people are 16, maybe 23. Something like that. And then you are preparing the next person who is taking over your crew. The leadership is really natural. You can see a 17- or 18-year-old who can lead, they can do lots of responsible things. It’s a different way to be. …Here Scouts really focus on achieving the badges. For the climbing badge, they have to do so much. Badges are one of the

most important things in Scouting and they’re more professional here. Is there anything like Philmont for Scouts where you’re from? Chantal: Like this, no. There are places that, they aren’t actually similar but they have the same concept. My organization, we own a castle. So there’s this castle we can go to and organize our camps. For example, my trunk [troop] does a middle-age thing every four years, which means we go to visit this castle, we build towers and stuff out of logs and do a lot of fighting with plastic swords and stuff. Which is a lot of fun! But then the camp itself only has the surroundings, the program is brought to the camp by the crew. … If somebody wants to go to Europe and do Scouting, there is a camp in Switzerland in the Alps that I have not been to, but I think it’s a little like Philmont. If someone wants to do international Scouting, that’s the place to go. Fabien: We have a training center, sort of like the PTC, near Paris. It’s much smaller. We also have some nature bases like Philmont but also much smaller. it’s not so famous. Summer camps in France are more like, every crew goes to a different place and we don’t have that big gathering of Scouting at the same place

PhilNews | 9 for summer camp. It’s more like small treks or small camps. Crews do their own things. Monika: Like Philmont, no. We have different Scout Ranches, but there is not such a thing like Philmont. That was also why I wanted to come here and why I’m extremely happy that I’m here. Because I can really see how a big awesome Fabien Baudelet from Amiens, France. Drew Scout Ranch can Castellaw/PhilNews work perfectly, how many people can get involved and believe that it’s a thing you should focus your time and maybe money on, to make Scouting paradise. It’s awesome. What’s your favorite part of working at Philmont? Chantal: I love hiking on days off. Here it’s super cool because I have a goal and my hikes are never super long. I love being at different camps because they have so much different stuff going on and so many different people that it’s really neat. But Monika Picz from Lodz, Poland. Drew Castellaw/ I think that’s what PhilNews everybody loves For sure, the idea that the Ranch is about Philmont. Fabien: I work as a PC at the the size of New York City and the PTC. I think it’s quite a good Ranch has everything. That you position because I get to do a lot can really make that huge Scout of different things and I see a lot camp working that well with all of different aspects of American the logistics, all the program. I’m culture. We do some cultural really happy to see that and I would activities with the kids, some love to be able to make something hikes also, cooking, music. I get like that back in Poland, because to know a lot of different aspects it’s awesome how all of this works of the American culture, and that together. ... I like climbing and I’m was also what I wanted to learn really happy to be at a climbing coming here. [I wanted to learn] camp. You can teach kids and have about Scouting in America, but the satisfaction that you give this also about the U.S. since it’s my knowledge and you make them first time in the USA. And I like have a great experience, and at the same time you’re just doing it so far! Monika: It’s hard to pick one. what you like to do. That’s pretty awesome.


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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.

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Above: Philmont’s Grounds staff work together to clear weeds between the recycling center and admin on. Shane Mrozek/PhilNews

Above: Danilo Castillo ascends a rock climbing route at Dean Cow, which offers programs including rock climbing, a traverse wall, and “cow ball” (a version of volleyball) for evening program. Madelynne Scales/PhilNews Below: Will David from Troop 158 in Virginia aims at the last archery range at Apache Springs. Drew Castellaw/PhilNews

Above: Tom Cook from Russellville, AR, and Robbie Arcebido from Orlando, FL, hold the bear bag line at Turkey Creek Camp during the PSA Trek on Saturday. Cook was a Ranger in 1973. Evan Mattingly/PhilNews

Below: Brady Geronime, a PC at pueblano, is at bat during their nightly logger ball game. That night the loggers ended winning 5-3 in a close match. Hunter Long/PhilNews

Left: Catholic Chaplain, Father Mike, leads Sunday afternoon Mass for crews at Beaubien. Philmont Chaplains visit several backcountry camps on Sunday afternoons to provide services for crews, in addition to nightly services in Base. Tanner Britton/PhilNews