Issue 7 2017.indd - Philmont Scout Ranch

JULY 21ST, 2017

Better leaders

PHILNEWS From Waite to rockets

Andrew Kliewer Staff Writer

When second session Rangers on Rayado caught the first glimpse of their training calendar, they were greeted with eight clear days marked with only three words: “expect the unexpected.” Several days later in the Backcountry, as the group hunkered down with rain angrily lashing down and hail pelting the tin roof, those words were brought to life. Not knowing their hiking distance, activities or even destination beyond the next day, the Rangers were forced to make a tough decision: either climb Little Costilla in the rain and risk delaying crucial training, or skip a peak on many of their bucket lists. With the storm raging outside, the group ultimately voted to play it safe. That night, they fell asleep to the patter of water dripping off the roof, wondering what new adventures the next day might bring. To many, eight days with 16 new faces and filled with unknown challenges designed to test morale and resolve may sound like too high a hurdle. However, for the group of Rangers preparing Continued on page 5

ISSUE SEVEN

Andrew Avitt/PhilNews

Finding faith on the trail Elizabeth Harper Staff Writer

Suzannah Evans PhilNews Editor In 1956, John McNeil was a young fifteen-and-a-half year old from Los Angeles. Participating in a 36-day Trek that would shape the rest of his life, McNeil was spending his summer at Philmont thanks to winning a council wide competition and the generosity of a chain of department stores. “The Los Angeles Council had 16 districts, and they competitively picked two from each district, so

poems by Robert Service, The Cremation by Sam McGee, it’s old Camping stuff. We took great pride in singing as we would go along and virtually every evening we had a campfire and performed among ourselves.” One campfire would prove to be just a little more special than the others. “At the very last campfire here, before we went home the next day, it was [back in Base Camp] and we had a special guest - Waite Phillips. He was right there. The whole evening for our final campfire.”

As the sun set behind a ridge in the distance, a group of eight Crews gathered in an open field in front of a semicircle of totem poles. The sky was still full of clouds from the heavy rain that had been falling all day, but the participants were in good spirits, laughing and joking around with each other. The rendezvous was the first time the eight Crews, part of the St. George Trek, had seen each other since hitting the trail a week earlier. The St. George Trek, sponsored by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, is meant for Catholic Scouts who want to hike Philmont in a religious context. Up to two Scouts can be nominated by each diocese and apply to go on the trek. Father Gerard Gentleman, the director of the trek, then selects applicants who have the physical capabilities and the emotional and spiritual maturity to fulfill all trek requirements. “It’s similar goals,” said Gentleman about why Scouting

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Drew Castellaw/PhilNews

that would be 32, who were all Eagle Scouts. Everything was paid for by Sears and Roebuck,” said McNeil. McNeil recently returned to Philmont to drop off his grandson, Jesus Gonzales, for the beginning of his STEM Trek. Eager for his grandson to have similar experiences, McNeil recounted some of the highlights from his own Trek. “We were noted for our campfires, some of the guys in 32 had photographic memories and they would memorize these long

Friday, July21, 2017

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MARKETING AND PHOTO TEAM

Marketing Manager Bryan Hayek

July 2017

Friday

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Saturday

Ranger CT: Resume Building and Recruiting-Eric Martinez-6 pm- Walcutt Room

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Federal Job Fair 6 pm PTC Assembly Hall

MPS Manager Dave Brinkman

PhilNews Editor Suzannah Evans

PhilNews Writers Andrew Kliewer Elizabeth Harper

Photography Managers Tyler Sanders Liam Inbody

Marketing Media Staff Henry Hibbeln Julia Nadovich

Lead Videographer Kreable Young

Videographer Ben Dorger

Sunday

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Monday

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

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Tuesday

Wednesday

Jam Night @SSSAC Porch 8pm

Root Beer Float Day! SSSAC Kitchen 1:304:30pm

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Tom Much Concert #1

Thursday

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2nd Breakfast@ SSSAC Kitchen 8:3010:30 am Bacon 4 $ale concert PTC Assmebly Hall 7pm

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!

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

Lead Marketing Specialist Dave Brinkman

PhilmontScoutRanch.org

Villa Lawn Now Open: The Villa Lawn is officially open for use! Thank you all for your patience in allowing the grass to regrow after the new irrigation system was installed. The lawn is now fully recovered, so feel free to come play and relax in front of the Villa Philmonte. Enjoy!

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.

K S T f t h s

I l r fi a l I w t d w s u I


I let the mountains have me Kate Kenworthy Rayado Trek Participant

Kate Kenworthy is a new Philmont Staff Member and 2017 Rayado Trek Participant. She wrote the following poem about her time on the Ranch and was encouraged by her fellow Rayado participants to share it with PhilNews.

I let the mountains have me, let them fold me up in their roots, rivers flowing through my fingertips and shadows rolling over me like lazy clockwork. I found miles and miles of earth who had never known the soles of my feet and dancing butterflies who seemed to be scraps of paper being cut and uncut from the air. I found music

Friday, July 21, 2017

in the metronome of bird calls and plucking strings too afraid to die to find rest when the moon rose. I found the quiet breathing of trees keeping perfect time with the mountain’s heartbeat— a rhythm I pulled from the soil with desperate palms, clutching the prayer to my chest that I would someday find peace like the saplings who simply grow because they love the sun. I found a sort of solitude that could never know loneliness, a peace that peeled me open to press moss into the lining of my chest and caressed my face with gentle rainfall like a family I had left behind. I let the mountains have me because I wanted to find myself, to see if there was more to life than running until your bones become an unladen tombstone. I let the mountains have me for a while, and the mountains gave me a version of myself I could walk beside for the rest of my life.

The Ranger Mile

Jenny Washburne Mountain Trek Coordinator Although it’s a pain to get to, Backache Springs is well worth the trek. Perched on the south side of Urraca Mesa, the trail camp offers a spectacular view of both the plains to the southeast and also the mesas directly south of Philmont’s border. The campsites are spread out along the edge of the meadow with a bear box in the center. With only four campsites, Backache never feels very crowded. With people, anyway. There are whole hordes of bumblebees and butterflies up there enjoying the breeze and meadow flowers. The best times for enjoying

AMS prevention John Fritzlen KU Medical Student

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is something many of us worry about when we arrive to Philmont to take on Baldy and other peaks. Whether you are coming from the plains of Kansas or the mountains of Colorado, you might be at risk for AMS. How do you know if you will be sick? What can you do to prevent it? And what is AMS? Acute mountain sickness is a result of decreased atmospheric pressure at higher altitudes. There is still the same percentage of oxygen in the air, but the decreased pressure causes a lower proportion of oxygen delivered to your body. In response, your body starts to breathe faster to increase oxygen. The acid-base balance in your body is thrown off, and it takes a day or two for your body to readjust. This is known as acclimatization. The most common symptoms of acute mountain sickness are headache, fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite. Symptoms do not generally appear at elevations below 5000 ft. AMS can be mild between elevations of 5000-8200

Backache Springs are definitely sunrise and sunset, when the meadow, canyon, and the plains out to the east are illuminated by beautiful soft light. If you are staying overnight for the sunrise, make sure to look up. The meadow offers a stellar view of Philmont’s night sky, and despite its closeness to Base, most light pollution is blocked by Urraca’s cliffs to the north. Of course the view is gorgeous at all times of the day, but be aware that shade is minimal once the sun comes up, and remains minimal until the sun ducks behind Rayado and Crater Peaks sometime after 5 pm. It can be a hot hike up the side of the Mesa in the middle of the day. Even without the hot sun, the hike to Backache from either of the service roads by Zastrow Turnaround is challenging. The road gains almost 750 ft of elevation in just over one mile. For a slightly longer but less drastic hike, try the service road that ft and moderate above 8200 ft, especially in those who have not acclimatized. Here at base camp, we are already at approximately 6700 ft! Several factors are associated with increased risk of AMS, which include past history of AMS, rate of ascent, vigorous exertion prior to acclimatization, and other health conditions that interfere with respiration. AMS affects men and women of all ages equally. Interestingly enough though, research suggests that young athletic males may be at higher risk of AMS because they are more likely to exert themselves prior to acclimatization and during ascent. Hmm, where would we find a lot of young, eager, and athletic boys? In general, it is difficult to predict who will become sick and have to come down the mountain. People at low risk for AMS include those with no history of AMS, staying below 9200 ft, taking two days to arrive at elevations 8200 – 9800 ft, and ascending no more than 1600 ft/day (sleeping altitude). People at moderate risk are those with prior history of AMS that ascend to 8200 – 9200 ft in less than two days, those with no history of AMS but ascend over 9200 ft in less than two days, and ascending more than 1600 ft/day

PhilNews | 3 is furthest east (intersecting the Zastrow Road at Easting 50400). However you get there, bring lots of water and/or Micropur. There is a water source in camp, but it consists of a small pond which at certain times of the year has a lot of questionable scummy plants floating in it. Backache’s most notable feature, perhaps, is the Pilot to Bombardier situated near campsite #1. By some Conservation team magic, the structure offers a view of the valley that rivals the pooper on Tooth Ridge, while also somehow staying not entirely visible from the rest of the meadow. Like most trail camps with unpleasant names, Backache often gets overlooked as a destination. But whether you are looking for a new camp to explore, or simply want a quiet place to read a book and watch the sunrise, this peaceful meadow should be on your next itinerary. (sleeping elevation) at altitudes above 9800 ft with only one day of acclimatization. People at high risk are those with any history of severe complications of AMS, ascending over 11,500 ft in less than two days, those ascending more than 1,600 ft/day (sleep elevation) without acclimatization, and those with medical conditions that predispose to altitude illness such as lung and kidney disease. Now that you know the risks, let’s talk about how to prevent AMS. Gradual ascent is the easiest and most effective way. Staging your hikes will decrease risk of AMS and help acclimatize. An old mountaineer adage is “climb high, sleep low” which might speed up acclimatization. Preacclimatization with brief climbs prior to a planned ascent may also decrease chances of AMS. Eating a high carbohydrate diet and aggressive hydration have been reported as ways to reduce AMS, but research data is inconclusive. If you have a history of AMS, you may want to talk with your doctor because there are medications that may help you acclimatize and decrease chance of AMS. These are the things you need to know about acute mountain sickness so you can steps closer to Baldy and away from the infirmary.


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Continued from page one: Finding faith on the Trail and the church work together so well. “We’re providing young people with skills that they need to grow into adulthood. So even in the sense of faith life, growing up in your faith, we’re about the same thing.” Although each Crew is given a separate itinerary, a crucial part of the St. George trek is a twonight layover at Cimarroncito where all 78 participants catch up and participate in faith-based programming together. There were seven male Crews and one female Crew, and all Advisors were priests, seminarians, religious brothers or sisters, and previous St. George participants. Gathered in the field on their first night in Cimarroncito, Program Director Father Mike Santangelo talked to the participants about sin and forgiveness. Following the talk, the ten priests present spread out in the field to give everyone the chance to go to Confession. The St. George Trek is the only High Adventure Catholic leadership opportunity in Scouting, which makes it a unique opportunity for Catholic Scouts. “It really combines two of my favorite passions,” said Nicholas Starvaggi, from the Archdiocese of Baltimore. “You’ve got Boy Scouts of America, which I love. I’m an Eagle Scout. I’ve been involved with Scouting for the past 11 years or so. And then you’ve got something that’s very dear and close to my heart, which is my Catholic faith. I was brought up Catholic, I’m a cradle Catholic, but I love my faith. And the fact that there was something like this that combined both of those two things really stuck out to me and I knew it was something I had to go for.” One of the main focuses of the St. George Trek is to help the participants start to discern what they are called to do in life and to seriously consider whether they are called to a vocation, such as the priesthood or religious life. “It’s one of the few opportunities that young adult Scouts have the opportunity to be in a place where they are free and even encouraged to talk about their faith, their

relationship with God, their own struggles, and what they feel like they are called to do as a vocation and not be judged,” said Sister T Gunter, one of the female advisors and a Sister of St. Benedict who has been on the St. George Trek six times. Part of encouraging the participants in their discernment is providing daily opportunities for Mass, prayer, and discussion. On the trail each Crew is selfguided in which of those they choose to engage in, but while in Cimarroncito the participants received several talks about faith, went to Mass and participated in the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. “I think we are trying to figure out who we are every single day and how to become a better person,” said Sam Lewis, from the Diocese of Cincinnati. On their second day in Cimarroncito, a torrential downpour that lasted most of the day forced the St. George Trek to rearrange their schedule. Instead of having Mass outside, the staff allowed them to use the indoor bouldering gym for the service. It was a tight fit, squeezing that many people in the small building, but the participants were cheerful and eager to have Mass. The juxtaposition of High Adventure Scouting and Catholic living is highly appealing to those who apply for the St. George Trek. “What interested me was the fact that I’d be in a Catholic environment in Philmont,” said Sean McCabe, from the Diocese of Palm Beach. “Just going to Philmont alone is a magnificent thing, but then being in a Catholic environment inside of the best Scout Camp in possibly the worldthat’s just a once in a lifetime opportunity.” The trek is also a unique way to introduce participants to discernment. The presence of the religious Advisors allows the participants to see vocations in a new light and to ask questions they might not have had the opportunity to otherwise. “For me, it was primarily that it was a vocation/discernment retreat,

St. George crews hike out from Cimarroncito to their next destination on July 13, 2017. Scouts gathered at Cimarroncito as a midpoint for the St. George trek and continued on their respective itineraries.

and that it was a big backpacking thing. I’d never done anything like that, so that was interesting,” said Anna Blanchard, from the Diocese of Phoenix. “But primarily it was the vocation/discernment retreat aspect that interested me.” Blanchard’s tent mate, Anna Palmer, from the Diocese of Tulsa, was also interested in the Catholic aspects of the trek. “I was interested in the vocation side of it because I have been seriously discerning for three years,” Palmer said. “So just to be around other young women who are discerning and have that similar mindset is what I was looking for.” On their last morning at Cimarroncito, the skies finally cleared, allowing them to have Mass outside at sunrise. Bishop Robert Guglielmone of Charleston, South Carolina made a special visit to preside over the Mass. The sky turned pink above the gathered participants as the Mass began. By the time Mass ended, the sky had cleared completely for the first time in three days and was a brilliant blue. Each Crew packed up camp and headed their separate ways on the trail. When they met again at Base Camp at the end of their trek, each participant

Catholic Celebrants pray in front of the altar during the sunrise mass at Cimarroncito on July 13, 2017. Drew Castellaw/PhilNews

St. George participant Nick Penich reads a prayer during the evening mass inside Cimarroncito’s bouldering gym on July 13, 2017. Drew Castellaw/PhilNews

had made new friends, learned new things, and gained a new

perspective on their faith life.



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Continued from page one: Better leaders to lead the second session of Philmont’s Rayado program, it was a team building exercise that, while arduous, was filled with both fun and learning moments. By the end, the Rangers were fully prepared to lead their own 20-day Rayado treks which, just like the training that they had completed, would consist of previously unacquainted Scouts sharing both a love of the outdoors and a desire to experience the unexpected. To get the opportunity to lead a Rayado trek, Rangers filled out an application after arriving at Philmont and undergoing Ranger training. The two Rayado Trek Coordinators, this year Harrison Evans and Katie Garrett, interviewed every candidate, ultimately choosing around 30 from pool of 80 applicants. Evans and Garrett, going off of the experiences of previous coordinators, then designed two hikes to train both the June and July sessions of Rangers on Rayado. Those were designed to incorporate elements of the actual program, meaning the Rangers were only told their destination each morning and were even left in the dark on exactly which day they would be returning to Base. This allowed them to experience some of the same challenges that their crews would face several weeks later. “ A lot of these rangers have never been a participant, they’ve never been asked to expect the unexpected in the way that their participants will,” Garrett said. “And so as part of this training, we create that environment for them so that they can understand what their participants are going to experience.” Once Rangers finish the training hike and are paired up with their partner for the trek, they design a custom itinerary limited only by mileage constraints and essential program elements. This opportunity allows Rayado crews to experience parts of Philmont that few others do. An apt metaphor Evans often applies to the situation is that “Rayado Rangers have the same creative freedom as Lego builders.”

Rangers gather around to read parts of the Rayodo Training manual at Seally Canyon, July 10th 2017, before taking off on the day’s trek to Ring Place. Andrew Avitt/PhilNews

“Essentially, you’re given the building blocks of the trek, and then you get to decide how you want to put it together,” he said. “So there’s certain confines that they have to meet, but it’s not like we give them the instruction manual and say to build an exact trek.” One aspect of the Rayado program that Rangers learned with their training is flexibility. Going along with the Ranger saying “scramble, be flexible,” sometimes changes are necessary to ensure that participants have the best possible experience. This lesson was experienced by all firsthand during the training hike, when the decision was made to alter the original plan and skip Little Costilla due to the surprise hail storm. Although disappointing, this allowed the group to press on and do their planned team building COPE activity at Dan Beard, which ended up bringing the group further together.

“I think [that decision] showed that we had a pretty good team dynamic even though we’d only been working directly together for two days,” Ranger Andrew Folkins said. “And I think it really helped us see the decisions that we’ll have to make because these days will be really similar to what we’ll be doing on our treks.” After completing all the hiking and activities that are part of their training, Rangers will be split into pairs, each leading a crew for the duration of the program. Although apart for most of this time, the entire group will together share in a once in a lifetime experience, Rayado Trek Coordinators Harrison Evans and Katie Garrett check their as Rangers and participants are map on the way to Ring Place with Second Session Rayado Rangers. Anbarred from reapplying. This Rangers know that the impact well,” Ranger John Buckley said. ensures that all those involved in the program emerge from it they have on each participant will “Just getting to watch them work with an unshakable bond, forged last far beyond the three week together and work as a team is going to be really cool. I want to by “expecting the unexpected” for program. “I’m really looking forward to see them come out of this as better the first time in their lives. As they set out with their Rayado crews, getting to know my participants leaders.”


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Learning how to wrangle

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

Elizabeth Harper Staff Writer

In the early hours of the morning, long before the sun begins to rise, a group of participants wakes up and gets ready for the day. They don’t have packs or hiking boots, but instead don jeans and cowboy hats. Rather than hitting the trail as soon as possible, they head to a much different place: the corrals. The participants are part of the Ranch Hands program, a 16-day individual trek for Scouts with horsemanship experience. For the first eight days, the Ranch Hands are scattered between the various horse camps and work with the Wranglers and Horseman there to help take care of the horses. After working in the corrals for a week, the Ranch Hands then get to go on an 8-day Cavalcade on an itinerary of their choosing. “We just give them a chance to see what we do in a day and get firsthand experience working with us,” explained Wrangler Egle Keturalyte as she supervised the Ranch Hands cleaning the corrals. “I think it’s a cool experience because there’s nothing like it. It’s a chance to really get their hands dirty.” First thing in the morning, a few of the Ranch Hands help the Wranglers bring the horses into the corral from the pasture where they spent the night. Once the horses have been herded into the corral, all of the Ranch Hands start getting the horses ready for a day of trail rides. At Clark’s Fork there are 47 horses and 4 Ranch Hands, so there is a lot to do before Scouts can ride the horses. “When we’re working we always feed the horses. We scoop a lot of poop and we saddle them too. We also throw hay. We do whatever needs to be done,” said Megan Dilworth, from Crew 138


Syd, one of Clarks Fork’s new Ranch Hands for this cycle, grooms a horse as part of her chores during the early morning. Dalton Puckett/PhilNews

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

Open Daily! We Welcome Scouters! After finishing their morning chores, Clarks Fork’s Ranch Hand take a break and reflect on their time there, this would be their last day together. Dalton Puckett/PhilNews

in Athens, Texas. Though the work may sound difficult, the Ranch Hands readily welcome the challenge and enjoy the work they do. “It’s really awesome. I like the work and being able to see the results of it,” said Emma Kunzler, from Crew 1 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. “It’ll also be cool to get to know more horses and to get to know Philmont from a horse’s back.” Almost all of the Ranch Hands have worked with horses previously, but there is still a lot they can learn from working with more experienced staff. “I’m using things I already know, but there’s also little details that I never would have figured out on my own that the Wranglers and the Horseman have helped me learn,” said Dilworth. Hannah La Rue, the Horseman at Clark’s Fork, loves the opportunities the Ranch Hands

program gives its participants. “Working with horses like this and how we handle them out here, it’s a huge confidence booster to kids that are so young,” said La Rue. “It’s also a great opportunity for them to get an idea of what the Ranch Department is. It gives them an opportunity to kind of get their feet in the water and see if they’re interested in coming back.” One of this year’s Ranch Hands has already made the decision to return. Kara Forest, from Crew 10 in Holmdel, New Jersey, participated in the Ranch Hands program in 2016 and returned again this summer. “I’m definitely learning every single day,” she said. “I’m hoping this year I’ll get to go places I didn’t go last year and learn different things, because there’s new Horseman, new Wranglers, and new stuff to learn.”

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PhilNews | 7


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Philmont from sea to shining sea Suzannah Evans PhilNews Editor

Being prepared is an integral part of any Scouting activity. Philmont pays extra close attention to this concept since trekking through the backcountry requires months of preparation, the right mindset, and the right gear. Past participants can attest to the unique adventures that Philmont offers and will testify that being prepared means everything. “To me it comes down to three things: if they show up on time, if they get along with each other, and if they’re all in good shape – they’re going to have a great trek,” said Associate Director of Program, Eric Martinez. Martinez and Director of Program, Mark Anderson, have been on a multi-year mission to ensure that the crews coming to Philmont are ready to have the adventure of a lifetime, the Philmont way. Anderson wanted a way for crews to be more prepared before they arrived at the Ranch. Initially, he had Martinez write the Philmont Shakedown Guide with the help of Associate Chief Rangers during the fall of 2014. After many positive reviews of the Shakedown Guide, Anderson realized that what the Ranch needed was to

bring the Shakedown Guide to life through a more tangible, hands-on program. This realization lead to the creation of PASS and PAW. PASS stands for Philmont Advisor Skills School and PAW for Philmont Advisor Workshop. These programs are held in cities across the USA. PAW programs are 2-hour events held on weeknights and cover topics such as physical preparation, gear, crew leadership positions, travel to/from Philmont, and fundraising. Field-PASS programs are 8-hour events on Saturdays or Sundays that cover all topics from PAW as well as hands-on campsite setup with bear bags, dining fly, tents, as well as the full cooking, cleaning, and sumping process with Philmont trail meals. PSR-PASS is offered at Philmont during September and October and is a 4-day, 3-night program that covers all the FieldPASS information plus the entire Ranger training a crew receives the first day of their trek all while spending a night in the Philmont backcountry. These programs help to ease fears and to answer any questions that advisors might have. “Even if they don’t remember every little detail, at least they’ve seen it and they realize that the Philmont method works. Then when they finally arrive and the Ranger is teaching them what they need to do, it’s not a totally foreign concept to them – they’ve seen it,” said Martinez. From October 2015 through April 2016, Martinez drove a total

of 27,446 miles across the country. He spent a total of 99 nights on the road, educating 1,152 advisors about the Philmont camping method and how to prepare their crews. “It was way bigger than anyone was expecting, especially Mark and I. We thought we were going to get maybe 300-400 advisors attending overall, not 1,100” said Martinez. In 2016, three groups of two set out on similar routes, with the same mission in mind: to make the entire trek experience as excellent as possible. “It sounded like a really cool opportunity to take the experience I had here and use it to help other people prepare for their experiences, for their treks,” said Dave Brinkman, current Marketing Specialist and 2016 PASS/PAW Instructor, of the opportunity. While there is an underlying theme of practicality to the courses, for the Instructors, there are many rewarding moments. “The chance to meet all of the people who are the ones giving up their time to take kids here is so awesome,” said Mary Godwin, current Mountain Trek Coordinator, of her experience as a PASS/PAW Instructor in 2016. In addition to the higher than expected participation numbers, advisors have been more than satisfied with the program, its accessibility, and its price point. For many, this training has eased and even eliminated fears and concerns and made Philmont feel more attainable. “The PASS program should


The PASS and PAW program runs courses from coast to coast to train adult advisors prior to their Trek.

be made mandatory for all adult advisors. The information provided helped me and our crew to be prepared for our trek. I do not think we would have been so successful without PASS …it was truly worth the time and money” – Houston Field-PASS advisor after 2017 trek. With the two inaugural seasons combined, over 2,200 advisors have been trained through 117 PASS and PAW courses across the country. 2017 looks to build off the momentum and continue delivering wilderness and learning adventures that last a lifetime – before the adventure even begins. Five staff will be hired as PASS/ PAW Instructors for the fall of 2017. After leading PSR-PASS courses in September, two groups of two will be sent on different routes bringing Field-PASS and PAW courses to cities across the country. One will be responsible for the West and Great Lakes regions and the other for the Northeast and Southeast. A third contingent, consisting of one PASS/PAW Instructor, will lead

PSR-PASS courses in September and October then will lead a route to the Midwest and Texas in November and December. “I was humbled by the opportunity to represent Philmont across the country this last fall. After our two trips, I realized how much of an impact Philmont can have – our brand is recognized everywhere: toll booths, ice cream shops, hotels, at stop signs. Having the chance to be the first interaction our participants have with Philmont in the PASS Instructor role is an intimidating, yet rewarding task. We have the chance to make their experience in a place we love something they will remember for years to come,” said Morgan Berryman-Maciel, current Ranger Trainer and 2016 PASS/PAW Instructor, of working with the program last fall. The PASS and PAW program seems to be just what people needed, and likewise, the program needs five enthusiastic, passionate, and dedicated staff members to lead the third year of the courses. Applications are due by July 25th.

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PSA: Print the Legend

David L. Caffey PSA Member

Print the Legend is not about Philmont, as such; it is a novel set in the 1880s, long before Waite Phillips set foot in New Mexico, and before there were Boy Scouts. But its Philmont ties are many. The story is set in and around Colfax County and the Sangre de Cristos, reaching north into Colorado, and south to the Moreno Valley and the high mountains of the Pecos country. The author is a former staff member of the 1970s—a successful journalist, writer and businessman; a father of Philmont staff members, the husband of former ranger and PTC staffer Missy Johnston Smith, and a former PSA president. The publisher, Steve Lewis, and the cover artist, Jeff Segler, are also Philstaff alumni. A handful of notable Philmont figures are remembered in names given to fictional characters. The title, Print the Legend, borrows from a line in the 1962 film, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance—a quote alluding to attitudes about the American West on the part of those who prize the mythology of the wild West and its frontier heroes. Smith’s plot is not unfamiliar in the literature of the West: a strong man, alienated from society and living outside the law, falls in love with a good woman and, through her influence, is restored to his better nature. The man is Brad Bradshaw. An impressionable boy growing up in Tennessee amid a

painful and bloody war, Brad had joined the Confederacy’s losing cause at the wrong time, and was soured on life by the brutal acts of inhumanity he had seen. Brad fled to the West, where he started robbing banks for a living. He was expert at it, and good at concealing his identity, thus minimizing the heat that he felt as a fugitive from the law. The woman is Alison— or Ali—Stanton, a girl, really, at 16, who could conceive of a man turning from his shady past to live a good and productive life, because that is exactly what her own father had done. Ali and her father, Dave Stanton, are traversing northern New Mexico en route to the Santa Fe Railway station at Lamy, near Santa Fe, where they will entrain for California and a whole new life. Dave wants to see the country “one last time” and share it with Ali, from whom he has been absent most of her life. Bradshaw’s band of affable outlaws are traveling a similar trail, hitting banks in Raton and Cimarron before turning sharply south for the Mexican border with their plunder. The two parties cross paths in the Vermejo country and again at Wild Horse Park, providing ample opportunity for Brad and Ali to notice each other and entertain the remote possibility of a relationship. A final encounter comes in the Pecos high country, where Ali and her dad are under siege by a larger and more menacing gang of outlaws, setting up a battle royal between Brad’s not-so-bad guys and the

Continued from page one: From Waite to rockets

The day after the unforgettable event, McNeil remembers having a final feast before parting from his shaping grounds. “At the end of the 36 days, there was a big banquet. They roasted a buffalo - I don’t know if they do that anymore. That was the last thing I remember from here,” he said. This experience was one that would live on with McNeil.

He even considered a career in Professional Scouting, but became a high school teacher instead, and eventually worked in aerospace engineering after earning a PhD. “I ended up studying Math and Physics and became a high school physics teacher. I had the opportunity to teach remedial algebra. I used my Philmont experience and I registered virtually half of the kids in the

very-much-worse guys who are after their loot. Philmont connections aside, what stands out about Smith’s novel are his ability to seize the reader’s attention and hold it; his development of characters who invite sustained interest; and an exploration of the power of faith and love to redeem lives. Through the eyes of Ali and Dave Stanton and Brad Bradshaw’s men, it is possible to understand how a worthy human can get started down a wrong and self-destructive path, then find his way back. In Dave Stanton’s case, an encounter with the legendary preacher of the Rocky Mountains, Father John Dyer, led him to a faith that gave direction and purpose to his life, enabled him to forgive himself, and made possible a fulfilling reconciliation with his only child. The book concludes with an epilogue detailing the lives of Brad and Ali and Ali’s father Dave, after that fateful day in the New Mexico mountains when they survived while others died. The brief narrative of their lives in California is fanciful, but somehow believable. Unresolved is the question of whether a man who has turned from criminal activity and a personally hazardous life can find true happiness, in part, at least, through enjoyment of illgotten gains. Print the Legend should be well worth the read for anyone who enjoys tales of the West as it was or might have been, or just a good story of redemptive love—

particularly if the reader is also familiar with the country in which it is laid. This is a very good first novel. Smith should write more fiction, if he is so inclined. About the Reviewer: Dave Caffey is a twelve-year former Philmont staff member and author of works including Land of Enchantment, Land of Conflict:

New Mexico in English-Language Fiction.

whole school in Explorer Post 288. We had 143 Explorers in this Post. We had 9 advisors who were the other teachers in the school,” he said. Combining his love of all things Scouting and math and science, McNeil found ways for his Scouts to gain hands-on experience with science and technology, specifically with rockets thanks to special California permits. “We had a whole group of our Explorers who would go out and build the rockets themselves out of tubes and so forth, and fill them with fuel. When they set them off,

they would go off nearly 10,000 feet high,” said McNeil. The rockets were not the only ones reaching crazy heights. McNeil and his Scouts took advantage of the mountains the West Coast has to offer. “We would get groups of 10 or 12 and we would start up at Mt. Whitney and hike along the John Muir Trail, which is 210 miles…. It’s very high altitude. And there’s 14 peaks above 14,000 feet along there. We would do the entire trail, ending up climbing Half Dome and descending down into Yosemite valley,” he said.

Additionally, over Christmas Break, they would spend time skiing in the Yosemite Valley. Now, more than 60 years later, it’s Gonzales’ turn. Gonzales is the exact same age that his grandfather was when he met Waite Phillips. With hopes as high as the peaks he summitted, McNeil is excited for his grandson’s adventures. “I hope he has an extraordinarily good time with the people and the activities ... and that climbing and camping out is something that he learns to enjoy and will be a source of joy for the rest of his life.”

Editor’s Correction: Phil Winegardner, PSA Board Member, wrote last week’s PSA article.


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Join the Naturalist Team at Upham Woods Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center is a residential facility operated by the University of Wisconsin-Extension and located on the beautiful Wisconsin River, two miles north of Wisconsin Dells. Upham is looking for four school year teaching naturalists to work in Wisconsin for 9 months. Perks include room, board, $270/week DOE, and holidays off. The contract can match Philmont seasonal availability to return in 2018. For more information visit, http://fyi.uwex.edu/uphamwoods/get-involved/employment/ https://www.uwsp.edu/cnrap/schmeeckle/Documents/Jobs/06302017/UphamWoods_TeachingNaturalist.pdf

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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

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Above: Amanda Adams an environmental educator, Shows Emmalee Passmore and Laura Phillips, ROCS participents a captured grasshopper during their lesson on arthropods. Hunter Long/PhilNews

Above: Philmont’s Mail Room is a important department at the Ranch. The Mail Room is responsible for sending “I-Camps” throughout the Ranch, sorting mail to all staff members, and they also sell stamps, packing, and postage. Shane Mrozek/PhilNews Left: Troop 183 from Bedford, VA lower a hola hoop to the ground without their pointer fingers losing contact while at Head of Dean’s Challenge Course on July 5, 2017. Challenge courses test and teach Scouts how to solve problems together as a team. Drew Castellaw/PhilNews

Above: Timothy Loosbrock, Program Counselor at Crater Lake, splits wood while waiting for crews to arive on July 7, 2017. Crews at Crater Lake experiance the life of loggers through spar pole climbing and railroad tie making. Shane Mrozek/PhilNews

Above: On July 9, 2017 Ranger, Nick Daloia, bends a tent pole into position to set up the temporary shelter for the incoming Rayado participants. Tanner Britton/PhilNews

Above: Cimarroncito staff help participants anchor into the top of the rock after climbing up the sides on July 13, 2017. Drew Castellaw/PhilNews

Above: On July 9, 2017 Rayado Crew members bow their heads in prayer before participating in a large banquet held at the Kit Carson Museum honoring their return after 20 days on the trail. Tanner Britton/PhilNews

Above: Dawson Taylor plays his guitar to greet visitors and hikers to Crater Lake. Crater Lake is one of the logging camps on the Ranch with a spectacular evening campfire program. Shane Mrozek/PhilNews