a non-profit organization u.s. postage ® paid nm permit 8 ... · psa weekend at the summit –...
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high countrYApril 2015 Volume 38, Number 2
Th e mA g A z i N e o f T h e ph i l m o N T STA f f AS S o c i AT i o N
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philmoNT STAff ASSociATioN®
boArd of direcTorS
JohN murphy, preSideNTcolleeN NuTTer, Vice preSideNT, memberShip
Tim roSSeiSeN, Vice preSideNT, SerViceWArreN SmiTh, Vice preSideNT, deVelopmeNT
AdAm fromm, SecreTArymATT liNdSey, TreASurer
NATioNAl direcTorSAmy boyleKeN dAViS
bryAN delANeycATheriNe hubbArd
lee hucKSTepdr. dAN miller
STeVe ricK
regioNAl direcTorSNorTheAST
KAThleeN SeiTzricK ToucheTTe
ceNTrAlmiTch STANdArd
phil WiNegArdNer
SouTherNANNe mArie piNKeNburg
doug WAhl
WeSTerNNANcy STicKelmAN
michAel WAggoNer
Jim lyNch, immediATe pAST preSideNTmArK ANderSoN, philmoNT STAff AdViSor
ex officio memberSemery corley, legAl AdViSor
douglAS fASchiNg, TechNology mANAger
rANdy SAuNderS, execuTiVe direcTordollie o’Niell, office mANAger
HigH Country®—Volume 38, Number 2April 2015
ed peASe, ediTormArK dierKer, lAyouT ediTor
rANdy SAuNderS, ASSociATe ediTorbill cASS, copy ediTor
dAVe KeNNeKe, STAff coNTribuTorKeViN “leVi” ThomAS, cArTooNiST
coNTribuTiNg ediTorS: roberT birKby, dAVid cAffey, bill cASS, gregory hobbS, WArreN SmiTh , mArK
STiNNeTT, mAry STueVer, STepheN zimmer
HigH Country® iS The officiAl publicATioN of ThephilmoNT STAff ASSociATioN® ANd iS publiShed Six
TimeS per yeAr AS A beNefiT To iTS memberS.
© 2015, The philmoNT STAff ASSociATioN, iNc. All righTS reSerVed. No copyrighT clAimed for
preViouSly copyrighTed or public mATeriAl.permiSSioN grANTed for NoN-commerciAl repriNTiNg
or rediSTribuTioN WiTh proper ATTribuTioN.
HigH Country®, philmoNT STAff ASSociATioN®, pSA® ANd The officiAl pSA logo®
Are All regiSTered TrAdemArKS of:
The philmoNT STAff ASSociATioN, iNc.17 deer ruN roAd
cimArroN, NeW mexico 87714575-376-1138
for memberShip ANd SubScripTioN iNformATioN,ViSiT our WebSiTe AT:
WWW.philSTAff.com
HigH Country® WelcomeS ArTicleS, phoToS ANdleTTerS for coNSiderATioN for fuTure iSSueS.SubmiSSioN doeS NoT guArANTee publicATioN.
The ediTorS ANd publiSher reSerVe The righT ToSelecT ANd ediT mATeriAlS To be publiShed.
SeNd SubmiSSioNS, leTTerS or commeNTS To “ HigH Country” AT The AboVe AddreSS or e-mAil:
if you Would liKe To receiVe HigH Country® iN elecTroNic rATher ThAN pAper formAT, pleASe
coNTAcT The pSA office AT [email protected]
opiNioNS expreSSed iN HigH Country®Are ThoSe ofThe WriTerS ANd, uNleSS oTherWiSe STATed,
do NoT NeceSSArily reflecT The VieWS of The philmoNT STAff ASSociATioN®, philmoNT
ScouT rANch, or The boy ScouTS of AmericA.
PSA® FELLOWSBOB HArvEy FELLOW
PAUL And MARY JAnE HARVEY
GLEnn A. FOWLEr FELLOW
BRUCE BARnES
GEOrGE A. BuLLOck FELLOW
WILLIAM d. BRYCE
JOE DAviS FELLOW
BILL CASS
JOHn A. MAxBAuEr, Jr. FELLOW
AnOnYMOUS
Volume 38, number 2— April 2015 3
in this issue columns
4 from the prez18 ranch roundup - mort’s gorp19 ranch roundup - kenneke20 ranch roundup - clarks retire22 ranch roundup - cimarron retail28 short stuff
articles 6 psa news - north texas7 psa news - bsa annual meeting8 psa news - fall phiesta 9 psa news - summer trek 12 psa news - annual reunion13 psa news - florida13 psa news - amigos14 psa news - summit16 bsa fieldbook23 next generation26 deep green29 cimarroncita32 ptc - cubs35 stem
other
5 bulletin board38 trail talk
Contributing WritersSArAh burgeSS emery corley NANcy fArrell cAThy
hubbArd lee hucKSTep colleeN colemAN leSTer STeVe leWiS JASoN mASciTTi dAN miller mArK rAy
mArK STiNNeTT bryAN WeNdell
MeMbers only ACCess
user nAMe: olDCAMP
PAssWorD: metcalfstation
Volume 38, number 2— April 2015
On the cover: John and Janice Clark on the porch of their Ute Park home. See story on page 20.
photo by Renae Holland
bulletin board 5 4 from the prez
from the president
Volume 38, number 2— April 2015 Volume 38, number 2— April 2015
BULLETIn BOARd Upcoming PSA® Events
PSA Reception at the National BSA Meeting – May 21, 2015 @ 5:00pmHyatt Regency, Atlanta, GA
Contact: Randy Saunders at [email protected]
PSA North Texas Regional Reunion – May 30, 2015St. Francis Church Family Life Center, Grapevine, TX
Contact: John Ryan at [email protected] or John Corpany at [email protected]
PSA Weekend at the Summit – June 19-20, 2015Summit Bechtel Reserve, Beckley, WV
Contact Lee Huckstep at [email protected] or Dan Miller at [email protected]
PSA Summer Reunion – July 10-12, 2015Philmont Scout Ranch
PSA Summer Trek – July 12-18, 2015Philmont Scout Ranch
PSA Fall Phestival – October 2-4, 2015Des Moines, IA
Contact: Jason Mascitti at [email protected]
PSA Autumn Adventure Trek – October 11-16, 2015Philmont Scout Ranch
Contact: Steven & Cynthia Truemper at [email protected]
What do you say to a retiring general manager who has lived and served Philmont for more than a decade? The words don’t come easy because John Clark has been one of the biggest advocates for and supporters of the Philmont Staff Association. I guess I knew this day would come, but I was not ready for it, and if you come right down to it - really didn’t want to see it happen so soon. John will retire from the Ranch on May 31 of this year and move down the road to the house he and Janice have been working on in Ute Park. In the thirteen years under John’s leadership, Philmont has grown from 18,666 summer participants with 794 seasonal staff to an incredible 23,000+ summer attendees and over 1,100 seasonal staff members. John saw many changes – rising fuel prices, increased travel costs, severe drought in the Southwest and even things like changes at the national level of the BSA. Through all that he made sure Philmont was prepared. John worked hard to make the Ranch financially strong and well-positioned as the pre-mier High Adventure destination in the USA. During the early part of Mr. Clark’s tenure the PSA was still figuring out how to be of greater service to the Ranch. To do that required a growing trust and support from Ranch manage-ment. John Clark and Mark Anderson both stepped up and increased their involvement in the PSA because they believe in our mission and how we can keep the connection of former staffers
strong. We are what we are today be-cause of their willingness to involve us in many aspects of Philmont from help-ing raise money for building projects to making summer treks possible. What I like best about John Clark is that he epitomizes service with a smile, always willing to take your phone call, shake a hand or make time in his busy day to talk in person. He believes in being a good neighbor with Cimar-ron and the surrounding ranches and because of that, Philmont has become an integral part of the Northern New Mexico culture. That is why all of us at the PSA want to say thanks, John Clark, for a job well done and best wishes to you and Janice as you step into this next stage of life together.
John Murphy, PSA President
*thE SuMMEr oF ’65*request for Articles
High Country is planning an issue for the summer of 2015 devoted to Philmont’s “Summer of ‘65.” And while that season is most remembered for the flooding at Fish Camp, the impact was felt throughout the Ranch. If you have a story – flood-related or otherwise – about the “Summer of ’65,” we’d like to see it. If
you don’t yet have it written, but would like to submit a concept for consideration, we’d welcome that also. And if you don’t have either, but have
a high quality, interesting photo, we’ll give it a look, too!
Please send articles/proposals to Randy Saunders [email protected]. Thank you!
6 psa news psa news 7 Volume 38, number 2— April 2015 Volume 38, number 2— April 2015
psa® news
When you walk into the PSA Reunion on Saturday May 30th in Grapevine, TX, you will walk into a Disneyland of Scouting history. “Every Patch Tells a Story” of our Scouting legacy and every Scouter is a librarian. Thousands of patches will be on hand. The 2015 North Texas PSA Reunion is a fundraiser to provide PSA Staff Scholarship Funds so our finest Scouts can help bring that treasured Philmont experience to every 2015 attendee. Date: Saturday, May 30th, 2015Location: St Francis Church Family Life CenterAddress: 861 Wildwood Lane, Grape-vine, TX To give you an idea about our plans for May 30th, we are designing a fun event for Philmont Staffers, their families, members of 2015 Philmont contingents or anyone who has ever dreamed of Philmont: * OA Trail Crew 20th Anniversary PSA Patch Sets approved by PSA Direc-tor Randy Saunders and Philmont. Sales benefit Staff Scholarship Fund. There are only 30 full sets of 5 patches @ $ 35 each with all funds over cost benefiting Staff Scholarship funds. If you can’t make it to our PSA North Texas Reunion, a black border OA Trail Crew 20th Anniversary PSA patch is available for $ 4 each. Please email John
Ryan at [email protected] for more info on our 2015 special issue patches. * Philmont Memorabilia and Philmont Contingent Patch Displays. * PSA Reunion Luncheon 11:30 AM (Benefiting PSA Staff Scholarships). All luncheon purchases receive red border OA Trail Crew 20th Anniversary PSA patch. * A FREE Collectible patch for every Scout under 18 attending May 30th. * Youth Auction FREE Patch give-away. Your Scout (under 18) can learn about our shared heritage, learn about value and learn about patch trading rules ... and then we give away 400 + patches in a game.
2015 north texas reunion
* Scouts Only (18 and under) 1 For 1 Trading Table. All Scouts can bring their own patches, and if they see something on the table they want, they can put one of their patches on the table for one patch they want from the table. * PSA Members and/or Groups. We have a few side rooms we can dedicate to specific Philmont alumni who would like to meet as a group. A purple border OA Trail Crew 20th Anniversary PSA patch is available for PSA members. Please contact John Ryan for patch availability. There are still a few activities we are working on to make this an enjoyable time for you, so we hope you mark it on your calendars to swing by Saturday May 30th. For more information on the PSA Reunion schedule, availability for the PSA Staff Scholarship Patches, or the activities available for PSA mem-bers, contact PSA Reunion Host John
Corpany [email protected]. For info on the Lone Star Trade-O-Ree weekend activities, contact John Ryan [email protected]. Take a moment and Email us so we can send you our newsletter regarding any new developments for our reunion weekend. Note: The 2015 North Texas PSA Reunion is part of a weekend event called the Lone Star Trade-O-Ree. This fundraiser event began in 1988 to help Scouts who would not normally be able to go to Philmont, see their dream become reality. Through the years, this annual event has helped Scouts from 20 Troops, 3 Scout Councils and 2 countries experience Philmont on a Trek, Cavalcade, Kanik adventure or provide a program for the NCCS Conference at the Philmont Training Center. The Staff of the annual Lone Star Trade-O-Ree are proud to join efforts with the Philmont Staff Asso-ciation to provide Staff Scholarship Funds.
The Philmont Staff Association contin-ues its tradition of gathering at the Boy Scouts of America National Meeting this May in Atlanta, GA. The PSA reunion this year will be followed immediately by the inaugural reunion for the Summit Bechtel Reserve Staff Association, in the same room. SBRSA organizers have met twice by conference call with PSA officers and staff in an effort to get the new associa-tion off to a successful start. Plan on staying to meet our counterparts. All PSA members and Philmont
staff, past and present, are invited to come together, share their experiences and make new acquaintances on Thursday, May 21, 2015, from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, host of the BSA Meeting. The Hyatt Regency Atlanta is lo-cated at 265 Peachtree Street NEPlease R.S.V.P. to Randy Saunders at the PSA Office at (575) 376-1138 or [email protected].
Visit www.philstaff.com for more up-coming details.
PSA gathering at BSA national Meeting
psa news 98 psa news Volume 38, number 2— April 2015 Volume 38, number 2— April 2015
Save the Date
PSA Fall Phestival-Des Moines 2015When: October 2-4, 2015
Where: Sheraton West Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa
Visit the birthplace of Waite and Genevieve Phillips. See the Phillips family towns of Creston, Bedford and Conway, Iowa, in
their fall splendor.
Friday night-reminiscing, local dining, spend time in the hotel lounge.
Saturday-breakfast buffet, bus tour to southern Iowa to visit various Phillips family homesteads and cemetery and other his-
toric sites, cocktail hour, dinner, evening concert.
Contact: Randy Saunders at
the PSA office (575) 376-1138
or [email protected] or Jason Mascitti at jason.mascitti@
gmail.com
by Steve Lewis
About three years ago I struggled with an illness which kept me bedridden for a period of weeks. I was unable to walk and I lay on my back looking up at the ceiling of my room, which provided lots of time for reflection. After long stretches of boredom I discovered old memories beginning to surface---seem-ingly insignificant events in my early life which I had completely forgotten and was surprised to recall. It had been forty-five years since my first Philmont experience as a camper shortly after the Baldy Country was acquired by the BSA. From my van-tage point in bed I could see scattered images of our rag-tag crew plodding to-ward Baldy Town, checking in at the tar paper staff shack next to the rubble of what may have been the general store. I remembered the thrill of finding small bits of gold, iron pyrite, and malachite copper while panning in the creek. Baldy Town was still a real ghost town then, so we could explore the tumble-down cabins and what remained of the Aztec Mill with its monstrous beams, iron hammers, and rusted engines. I recalled several uncomfortable rainy nights on our trek, waking up in the morning with wet sleeping bags and soggy boots. I remembered scrounging in the swap box at Dan Beard for enough ingredients to make faux oatmeal cookies in a borrowed dutch oven. What a joy it was to huddle around a campfire, drying our clothes
2015 PSA summer trek I Want to Hike Again…
and munching our best approximation of fresh-baked cookies. I’m sure they were horrible, but as the proverb says, “To one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.” When we returned to Camping HQ we thought we were in heaven as we took our meals in the brand new dining hall---which now houses the Tooth of Time Traders trad-ing post. A few years later I was a Philmont ranger, hiking through the Miranda meadow to ranger training in the Baldy area. I toasted my lily legs with an excruciating high country sunburn that day, but it eventually produced a distinctive ranger tan. What a hectic summer, with back-to-back crews almost continuously. One memorable group from Florida made me an honor-ary member of their troop, and their advisor (a man I only remember as “Sugar Fine”) was always upbeat and encouraging in any circumstance. Time spent in beautiful country with folks like that made everything worthwhile. I recalled the day when I spent all my meager summer wages at the old trading post to purchase my first down sleeping bag. I think it was called a “Blue Cloud” and it put me on the cutting edge of backpacking technol-ogy. I remembered one night on the trail when I hopped out of my tent like a huge blue worm, because I heard the telltale sounds of the “kamikaze bear” at Lover’s Leap Camp. At least some-one appreciated those cans of peaches I lugged for a ranger cobbler.
10 psa news psa news 11 Volume 38, number 2— April 2015 Volume 38, number 2— April 2015
2015 PSA Summer trek Slots Available
As of press deadline time, slots are still available for the 2015 PSA Trek, July 12 to 19, $475 per person. You can register by sending your check to the PSA, 17 Deer Run Road, Cimarron, NM 87714, or you can register on-line at www.philstaff.com and view complete terms and conditions. If you register by mail, please include a slip of paper with the names, ages and gender of your eligible family members. (See below.) This helps to identify Youth Protection and tenting issues early-on.
the basic trek information is as follows:1. Spend the night of Saturday, July 11 in the Philmont area. 2. Report to the Welcome Center at 8 a.m. on Sunday, July 12. 3. Hit the trail on Monday, July 13.4. Come off the trail on Saturday, July 18.5. Depart Philmont Sunday, July 19.
The Trek will be preceded by the PSA Annual Reunion July 10-12. You can easily do both these events.
the trek eligibility requirements are as follows:(1) Be a member of the PSA or Trek-eligible family member,(2) Be a member of the BSA, (3) Have a completed Philmont medical form,(4) Be 14 years old OR completed 8th grade and be at least 13 years of age prior to participation.(5) Be in good physical condition.
Remember, you are encouraged to bring your trek-eligible family mem-bers. Trek-eligible family members include your spouse, child or step-child, sibling, parent, grandparent, grandchild, niece, nephew or in-law of PSA member who meets the eligibility requirements above.
For further information contact:Doug Latimer at [email protected] Huckstep at [email protected] Romack at [email protected]
One morning as I lay in my room a bit of music wafted through my head. It was the “Ranger Song,” and the walls soon began to echo with that tune as I eventually remembered all the lyrics. For the very first time I recognized what we rangers were singing about. The words speak of the trials of the trail---wet tents in verse one, damp socks in verse two, sweaty backs and cramped muscles in verse three. How odd. Why wouldn’t we sing about beautiful meadows, towering pines, sweeping vistas, or clear mountain streams? No, the focus is finding joy by overcoming challenge and adversity. What about verse four? “I want to hike again with such great men as made those famous treks.” As I reflected on each phrase in turn, I heard myself speak out loud: “I want to hike again.” It was startling because most of my recollections had taken place inside my head, but now it seemed I was reliving the scene from It’s a Wonderful Life where George Bailey breaks down and tells the Angel Clarence, “I want to
live again!” At that moment I decided I would figure out a way to hike again. Thankfully, my illness eventually passed and I did regain my mobility. And I wanted to hike again with such great men as made those famous treks. Who are they? Do these words mean we can walk in the footsteps of well-known heroes of western history like Kit Carson or Lucien Maxwell? No, it specifically identifies the great men and women who tramped the trail between Beaubien and Porky, or the ones who made their way from Cimarroncito to Carson-Maxwell at the southeast corner of the Ranch. Fellow Philmont staffers of all eras are those great folks, and the famous treks are the ones that take place along the simple Backcountry trails of Philmont. I want to hike for as long as I am able, and what a treat to hike again with others who share the bond of Philmont fellow-ship. I’m looking forward to the PSA 2015 trek with all of you who want to hike again.
Baldytown circa late 1960s. Photo courtesy of Steve Lewis.
12 psa news psa news 13 Volume 38, number 2— April 2015 Volume 38, number 2— April 2015
The summer of 1965 was one that left its mark on Philmont history. The June flood washed away Fish Camp and wrecked the Rayado Canyon. There are many heroic tales as a result of this natural disaster. Come to the Philmont Training Center for the PSA’s summer reunion to meet some of the 1965 staff and hear their stories as we commemo-rate 50 years since that epic summer. The Philmont Staff Association’s 2015 Summer Reunion will be held on the weekend of July 10-12 at the Philmont Training Center (PTC). You and your family are invited to partici-pate in a weekend of activities, service, fellowship, and sharing memories. The Philmont Training Center is the perfect venue for our reunion. The facilities at PTC are first class. Tents are large two-person wall canvas on wooden or concrete floors with electricity, light-ing, a wardrobe, and two twin beds. Each tent city has restrooms and family shower houses with hot water. There is also a laundromat on the PTC campus. So, bring the family to the reunion as part of your summer vacation. Some of the activities for the week-end include: day hikes (including the Tooth of Time), a conservation service project, campfire programs, tours of the Villa Philmonte, talks from members of the 1965 staff about the flood, and the silent auction. The Philmont Museum will be open and a “must see” on your weekend agenda. There will also be a reception for 1965 Rangers, hosted by Denny Dubois.
The Rabbi Zeke Palnick Porch Talk and ice cream social will be on Friday evening. The PSA’s Annual Business Meeting will be on the schedule during the weekend, too. The Philmont Train-ing Center staff will offer programs for children as part of the reunion. There will be pony rides, shooting sports, crafts, games, and more for our future Philstaffers to do while adults partici-pate in other activities. Registration fees for the reunion are: $100 per adult and youth ages 12 and older, and $30 per child up to age 12. This is the best value available to expe-rience Philmont, our HOmE. Check-in will begin on Friday at 1:00pm. There will be activities available to partici-pants on Friday afternoon. So, plan to arrive Friday early afternoon. Registration for the Summer Re-union is now available on our website, www.philstaff.com.
2015 PSA Summer reunion
Summer’s here. Well almost! Over 1,000 people will be serving on staff at Philmont this year. As PSA members, we can connect with them to brighten their staff experience. This connection is called Staff Amigos. How can you participate as a Staff Amigo? Here is what you have to do: •PickanidentifiablepartofthePhilmont seasonal staff - a ranger training crew, Conservation Crew, Backcountry camp, etc. •Thinkaboutwaysthatyoucanmake the lives of folks a bit more pleas-ant and productive. •Senditemstoyourgroupafewtimes over the course of the summer. •Encloseanote,tellingthemwhyyou have chosen them, perhaps sharing
Become a Staff Amigo in 2015!some stories about your summers at the Ranch, and letting them know that the PSA appreciates and supports their ser-vice. Encourage them to join the PSA. Ask them to drop you a note describing how their summer is going. It can be quite delightful to hear their stories. In order to participate, please con-tact me via email at [email protected] will have a list of staff groups that are available updated regularly on the PSA website, so check there first, and please give a first and a second choice. Thank you very much for remaining a part of Philmont Scout Ranch. Stay connected!
Cathy Hubbard
Florida PSA reunion Fun For EveryoneNine former Philstaff members and one future member gathered in Florida for a reunion recently.
Year five for the Florida PSA Reunion brought nine intrepid staffers (and one future staffer?) together for a fun-filled event highlighted by conversation, campfires, geocaching, and good food! Decades represented included the
1980s, 2000s, and 2010s. Plans are in the works for reunion number six, sched-uled for January or February 2016. Join us! Special thanks go to Randall and Susan MacDonald for organizing this wonderful event.
psa news 1514 psa news Volume 38, number 2— April 2015 Volume 38, number 2— April 2015
by Lee Huckstep with Dan Miller
The PSA Weekend at the Summit Bechtel Reserve, June 19 and 20, 2015, offers you the most action-packed family weekend your PSA has ever provided. On Friday, June 19, you’ll get your eyelids peeled back whitewater rafting on the gnarliest section of the famous New River Gorge rapids. You will have a choice of two rafting options:
-rafting full day, $85. This includes lunch on river.
-rafting half day, $65.
Minimum age for rafting is 12 years old and rafting slots are purchased directly from the PSA. On Saturday, June 20, at the Scott Summit Center, you have a choice of two options:
-Visitors Pass, $25.
-Action Pass, $55.
Minimum age for the Summit activities is 11 years old and you will purchase your passes at the Summit. The Visitors Pass offers the follow-ing: Sustainability Treehouse – a five story treehouse highlighting the prin-ciples of living a sustainable lifestyleJohn Gottschalk Boardwalk and Go-odrich Lake Wetlands Scott Visitors center – home of the Summit Trading Post and Guest Services.
conSoL Energy Bridge – check out the dramatic bridge with observa-tion decks above and below deck.Action Point Hiking Trail – take a walk through the scenic forest surrounding Action Point. This trail also provides a close-up view of the Jared Harvey Mountain Bike Trails, the Action Point Canopy Tours and a great view of CONSOL Energy Bridge from below The Action Pass offers everything included in the Visitor’s Pass, and much, much more:
Summit center Ziplinescanopy tours – series of ziplines through tree canopychallenge courses – a series of high ropes challenges to solveBMX race tracks –two BMX race tracksSkateboard Plaza Archery range tomahawk throw Sporting arrows – trap shooting with bow and arrowPowder ball challenge – paint ball guns with powder in pellets shooting flying discsharvey Mountain Bike trails – short trails to introduce the sport of moun-tain bikingclimbing rappeling Bouldering
The Action Pass is the most fun, and best, deal. The Action Pass will keep you busy all day. The Summit Weekend schedule is as follows:
Arrive in Summit area on evening of June 18 or early morning June 19.Whitewater rafting, all day or half day, on New River, June 19. For those not rafting, or only doing a half-day trip, a VIP briefing at the Summit, afternoon of June 19.Barbecue dinner at Bufflers BBQ Grill at Adventures on the Gorge, June 19, 6:30 p.m. Scott Summit Center including Ac-tion Point, all day June 20. (It takes a whole day to do it all!) Gourmet dinner at Smokey’s on the Gorge, June 20, 6:30 p.m. – the view is breathtaking. Depart June 21. We have procured a block of 20 rooms at the nearby Holiday Lodge in Oak Hill, WV, for $74 per night for up to 4 persons per room, 2 queen beds per room. The rate includes a hot breakfast for up to 4 persons. The rate is good until June 10 and you will make your reservation directly with the hotel by asking for the Philmont Staff Associa-tion rate. Dial 888-885-5556. If this block sells out, we can likely get more rooms. Camping, from primitive sites at $15 to wall tents to cabins is available at the nearby Adventures on the Gorge. You will make your own reservation. Dial
304-461-7851. Saturday lunch at the Summit will be provided by your PSA, and the din-ner meals available for your purchase are as follows: Barbecue dinner at Bufflers, $26 for adults, $13 for kids under 14. This is all you can eat. Beer and wine available for additional charge. gourmet dinner at Smokey’s, $36 for adults, $18 for kids under 14. This is all you can eat, with a million dollar view of the river thrown in for free. Full bar service is available for additional charge. The cut-off date for purchasing rafting and meals is June 13. To register, use the enclosed form or go to www.philstaff.com. The Summit is located near Beckley, WV, (limited air service) and 1.5 hours from Charleston, WV (good air service). There are plenty of nearby sites and activities which allow your visit to West Virginia to become a full-blown family vacation. Questions? Contact: Dan Miller at [email protected]. Lee Huckstep at [email protected]. PSA office at [email protected] or (575) 376-1138. Mark your calendars now and get ready to check out the Summit.
Summit Weekend Action
16 bsa fieldbook Volume 38, number 2— April 2015 Volume 38, number 2— April 2015
BSA’s Fieldbook wins 2014 national outdoor Book Award
by Bryan Wendellreprinted with premission
The BSA’s Fieldbook, already a fixture in Scout backpacks and troop libraries, has officially joined the pantheon of his-tory’s greatest outdoor books. The nonprofit National Outdoor Book Awards Foundation just an-nounced that the Fieldbook: Scouting’s Manual of Basic and Advanced Skills for Outdoor Adventure, has won its rare Work of Significance award. Think of it as a lifetime achievement award for outdoor books. The national outdoor Book Awards are presented annually, but the Work of Significance recognition is handed out less frequently. In fact, the Fieldbook is only the third book since 1999 to receive this honor, which goes to “books that are unusually well-written and of exceptional significance, and/or books that are tried-and-true works in the field which are extraor-dinarily useful and practical and/or has contributed to making the outdoor experience more understandable.” That’s a perfect description of the Fieldbook, which released its fifth edition this year. national outdoor Book Awards judges include educators, academics, trade representatives, authors, book reviewers and outdoor columnists. In other words, these men and women are qualified outdoor experts. Read on to learn why the Fieldbook won and how you can buy your copy.
Why the Fieldbook won
The Robert Birkby-authored Field-book was honored in 2014 because that was “the perfect time to recognize its influence and importance in the out-door world,” according to the award citation. The citation goes on to offer this praise, which also serves as a nice description of what’s inside its 400-plus pages:
What is the Fieldbook? In short, it’s a compendium of outdoor knowledge oriented to young people. A short list of topics include planning trips, preparing menus,
conservation issue 17
outdoor cooking, backcountry hygiene, navigation, leave no trace camping, first aid, survival, and observing and caring for the natural world. It also covers techniques of specific sports including backpacking, mountain travel, ski touring, snowshoeing, canoeing, kayaking, rafting and caving. It’s all contained in a perfectly sized paperback full of color photography and clear and understandable illustrations.
how to buy the Fieldbook
There’s no better time to pick up your copy than right now. It also makes a great gift for the Scouts or Scouters in your life. You can buy the Fieldbook at Scout-Stuff.org for $20 for the perfect-bound version or $27 for one that’s coil-
bound. It’s also available digitally via Amazon for $20.
other Work of Significance winners since 1999
2007: Connecticut Walk Book: The Guide to the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails of Western Connecticut
2003: AMC White Mountain Guide: Hik-ing Trails of the White Mountain National Forest.
Editor’s Note: the new Fieldbook is the result of a collaboration chaired by former PSA President Mark Stinnett and includ-ing a dozen or so other former Philstaffers.
As part of the next High Country conservation special issue, we’re seeking brief personal essays on how Philmont has shaped people’s lives and connections to the land. We’re especially interested in essays of approximately 750 words that respond to either of these prompts: How has Philmont shaped your connection to the world around you? We hope that these essays collectively reveal how the magic of Philmont tran-scends the ranch and influences our connections to the land, as well as to each other. What role did Philmont play in guiding you to a career in a conservation-related profession? We hope that these essays illuminate the diverse impacts Philmont has had on people’s life and career choices—be they rooted in natu-ral resource management, environmental education, firefighting, etc. Through these essays, we also want to expose the Philmont community to the range of conservation activities that people with a connection to the ranch are engaged in throughout the world. We’d love to hear from you. If you’re interested in sharing your story, please email Mike Sudmeier at [email protected] for additional details.
hc conservation issue Seeks Submissions
ranch roundup 1918 mort’s gorp Volume 38, number 2— April 2015 Volume 38, number 2— April 2015
ranch roundup
by Mark Stinett
Dave Kenneke, long-time PSA member and former vice president for service for the organization, became Philmont’s new Facilities Superintendent effective January 12, 2015. He succeeds Jim Kutz, who retired in November. In his new post, Kenneke will oversee ongoing inspection, construc-tion and maintenance of more than 600 roofed structures on the Ranch. In ad-dition, he has responsibility for utilities, water supply, regulatory compliance, landscaping and related property-own-ership issues. In a statement announcing the pro-motion, General Manager John Clark said, “We were extremely pleased with the high quality of applicants for this position, especially those from within the ranch. Dave has done an excellent job in preparing for this responsibility and leadership opportunity.” Kenneke has worked since 2000 as Philmont’s Quality Compliance Man-ager, assuring that Philmont’s facilities and staff meet requirements of multiple government agencies. He previously served on the seasonal staff for five summers from 1988-1992. Before join-ing the Philmont permanent staff, he worked in various jobs in the Cimarron area, including stints at the CS Ranch and the St. James Hotel.
Dave Kenneke Promoted
An active leader in the Cimarron community, Kenneke is a member and past president of the Maverick Club, past president of the New Mexico Rural Water Association, and former presi-dent of the New Mexico Emergency Services Council. He is a member and past officer of the Cimarron Watershed Alliance and has served on a number of state and regional water planning com-mittees. He is also Assistant Cubmaster and Webelos Den Leader for Pack 68 in Cimarron. Kenneke’s new post is one of the top four Ranch management positions reporting directly to the general man-ager. He will manage a department of more than 30 full-time employees with an annual budget of more than $3.5 million.
by Jason Mascitti
As the years pass in succession, it’s rare that many days or meals go by without a thought or two about the Ranch, the people who worked there (many of whom still do) and the food we consumed. On a cold winter day in Wisconsin, I’m easily reminded of some of the fire hot, tasty dishes we served to our own (staff) and Backcountry visitors.
Many of the meals I prepare today are direct remnants of the great Phil-meals we once concocted.
In this month’s issue and future editions, I’ll be featuring some of my fail-proof , easy-to-create recipes. I know they’re simple as they often were interrupted by a late crew checking in to camp, or a special program need-ing to be presented. Nevertheless, there was always time and necessity in the Backcountry for a delicious hot meal - spicy hot, too!
In the Southwestern style that many of us have become accustomed to, my first feature is a breakfast dish with a Southwest ting!
Easy Southwest Sunday Breakfast
1. Crack 2 farm fresh eggs on a warm cast iron skillet or griddle (Yes! Cast iron is preferred here). Pre-spray the griddle with some PAM or use butter if you prefer the taste and fat. Turn the heat down to low.2. Sprinkle the eggs with some shredded cheddar cheese, enough to nearly cover the eggs.3. Apply a dash of HOT chili powder…season to your own taste, but I like it fire hot!4. Cover with a few scoops of pinto beans that you’ve got on hand per-haps from your crock pot. Canned beans will suffice if you haven’t got the beans on hand.5. Cover the divine dish with a lid to allow the cheese to melt and smoth-er amongst the beans.6. Serve piping hot with some Tabasco green pepper sauce. Salt and pep-per to taste. Bueno!
mort’s gorp
Philmont’s new Facilities Superintendent, Dave Kenneke
ranch roundup 2120 ranch roundup Volume 38, number 2— April 2015 Volume 38, number 2— April 2015
by Mark Stinnett
After 13 years at Philmont and 37 years with the Boy Scouts of America, Philmont General Manager and BSA High Adventure Director John Clark announced his upcoming retirement in February. His last official work day will be May 31. He won’t be going far, though. He and his wife, Janice (our former PSA office manager) are just moving down the road a bit to their other home in Ute Park. John started the Philmont chapter of his Scouting career in 2002 when he became its comptroller, with respon-sibility for financial oversight for both the Ranch and the other BSA High Adventure bases. After seven years in that post, in 2009 he made Phil-history when he became the first Philmont pro-fessional Scouter to be promoted from within to the general manager position. “He has done an extraordinary job,” said John Green, BSA national director for outdoor adventures. “He has been a phenomenal role model and a wonder-ful ambassador for Philmont Scout Ranch.” During his tenure in the dual roles of Philmont GM and National High Adventure boss, all three national bases under his purview saw steady growth and increased financial stabil-ity. Philmont hosted its one millionth camper in what will be John’s last
John and Janice clark retiring
summer – not a bad milestone to go out on. John also oversaw and sold the National Office on the new museum expansion project and raised the first $2 million to make it happen. But John’s greatest legacy will cer-tainly be his leadership in Philmont’s expansion of both program opportu-nities and property for making them happen. Late last year, he concluded negotiations that resulted in Philmont’s acquisition of the adjacent Cimarroncita property, the first addition of property to Philmont’s boundaries since the do-nation of the Baldy Country more than 50 years ago. In 2013, he closed the deal on Philmont’s 100-year lease of the historic Chase Ranch, thereby securing both a unique program opportunity for future Philmont campers and a solemn obligation to preserve and honor the heritage it represents. “John was at the center of the events which converged to make the Chase Ranch/Philmont partnership possible. Gretchen Sammis trusted him enough personally to name him a trustee of her foundation. The foundation board respected him and his Philmont leadership team enough that they were willing to entrust them with the legacy that Gretchen intended. Perhaps it was just serendipity – but I believe it was providential – that John was in the right place at the right time with the right character traits to make this partner-ship possible,” said Ed Pease, past PSA
President and current President of the Chase Ranch Foundation. John and Janice plan to do some traveling in that RV that we’ve of-ten seen parked outside the general manager’s residence. John also plans on making good use of a woodworking shop he built at his home in Ute Park. “I enjoy taking apart old furniture – tearing it apart and making something new out of the pieces,” he says. John didn’t have to take Philmont
apart during his tenure as general manager, but he certainly managed to find some additional pieces to make something new there as well.
The Philmont Staff Association expresses its sincerest thanks to John and Janice Clark for their years of dedicated service to Philmont Scout Ranch and for their ever-present support for our own organization. We wish you all the best, John and Janice!
Janice and John embraced Philmont and its people. They’ve been warmly embraced in return.photo by Renae Holland
22 ranch roundup next generation 23 Volume 38, number 2— April 2015 Volume 38, number 2— April 2015
by Emery Corley
My son, Ryan, was a Ranger last sum-mer (2014) at the Ranch. I know that I’m not the first former Philmont staffer to have a child follow in his bootsteps by spending a summer working at the Ranch. I expected that he would learn something about working with others, earning a paycheck, and answering to the timeless New Mexican question, “red or green?” but, I have to admit that I was excited. My own mother, who had endured five summers of me working in New Mexico long ago, said that she had long hoped that I would have a child leave home and be gone for an entire summer without seeing them. My response was that I thought that this was going to be a good thing for Ryan. My children are unfortunately part of the generation of kids whose parents overprotect them against real and imagined dangers. Parents that are also afraid that there will be some video of their actions or call from child welfare services for letting their children do things we did as kids. So, my kids didn’t ride their bikes to the store or to their friend’s house. They didn’t leave after breakfast and not be seen again until dark as many parents my age are wont to reminisce. However, in prepar-ing Ryan to make the trip, I received an insight into the technology-connected world of today’s generation of kids. The conversation went something
the next generation at homE
like this. “Here is a paper map of all of the states from St. Louis to New Mexico,” I said. “It must have been terrible to do all this planning ahead of time when you were a kid,” said Ryan. Ryan just entered the destination into his phone and let the software plot out his course. What’s between here and exactly how you get there are now de-tails handled by the map app. I did get a call from him, though, on the second day of his journey to Philmont asking whether he should turn off Highway 40 at San Jon. “Where are you?” was my response, while I scrambled to find a paper map and, after realizing we didn’t have any maps at the office, scrambled to find a Google map and then drill down to the detail level to fig-ure out where he was. Pretty quickly, I found that he was west of Amarillo and was not taking the Dalhart to Clayton route we discussed. “I see you’ll be headed up through Roy. That will be OK.” Just what Ryan expected. I had not expected the relatively
2014 Philmont Ranger Ryan Corley
ranch roundup
changes coming to canyon inn
A fire in the fall of 2013 badly damaged the Canyon Inn, which has been vacant ever since as prosecutors considered bringing an arson case. In October of 2014, the state concluded its investiga-tion, decided it did not have sufficient evidence to prosecute, and closed the case. With that, Aivars Okolins, the Canyon Inn’s owner, put plans in motion for future use of the property. Included in the plan will be demolition
of the motel quarters and construction of apartments. A final decision on that count has yet to be reached, but Okolins has announced plans for the former restaurant and bar. Family Dollar will convert the res-taurant structure into a retail operation employing eight to ten people. The 8,000 square foot facility is expected to open some time in 2015.
And regarding other retail operations…The Burrito Banquet remains for sale. Inquiries should be directed to long-time owner/proprietor Nancy McBrayer in Miami, NM. The Cimarron Art Gallery and Soda Fountain, long owned and operated by Val Kutz, has been sold to a group of Scouters who have retained the staff and intend to operate the landmark as it has come to be known and loved by generations.
Atop the Tooth of Time, summer of ’14. “Who says the only tough portages are at Northern Tier?”
24 next generation Volume 38, number 2— April 2015 next generation 25 Volume 38, number 2— April 2015
continuous communications via the smart phone. Gone are the days of letters and postcards (although there is still not a substitute for the care pack-age full of Skittles and Sour Patch Kids for his Ranger Training Crew). Some days the texting was like having a running conversation. And instead of postcards there were selfies atop Baldy and snapshots of plates of food at the Cimarron Smoke House. And did Ryan have to wait in line with the campers for a turn at the pay phone to make a collect call after dinner? No; he could call me up while waiting for the 1:30 P.M. bus at the Cito turnaround. “Did you get someone at a staffed camp to radio in for the bus schedule?”, I asked. “You can do that?” replied Ryan. “I could have just called Basecamp my-self.” He had also been checking the stock market and shopping on Amazon as he waited. While my wife repeatedly told our friends that I was living vicariously through Ryan during the summer, I did not generally initiate the communica-tion with him. Admittedly, most of the time I knew when he had a crew, where he was going and when he’d return. One exception did arise when I asked Ryan to give me some suggestions for cars to replace his brother’s wrecked car. Within a few minutes, Ryan, the family “car guy,” texted back several links to Craigslist posts in the St. Louis area. I was determined that this would be his summer. If he wanted to share, he would. And he did. There were other next generation
staffers that Ryan got to know, includ-ing Max Niehaus of the Munch family and he even had dinner at the Munch family cabin near Eagle Nest. And when he texted me with a photo of the poster announcing a concert by Tom Munch, I responded that he needed to find time to attend. He had met Waite Phillips’ great granddaughter at the PSA event in Los Angeles earlier this year. Then saw her again at the Ranch. I’m proud of Ryan and his summer as a Ranger. He had a good season working at the Ranch. He met lots of new and interesting folks, including a member of the BSA National Coun-cil. Will he continue to follow in the bootsteps his father laid down before him? I don’t know. Ryan’s experience at Philmont is just that, his experience, albeit enhanced by technology unavail-able to my generation of Philmont staff-ers. It’s up to him to decide his course in life. Would I be happy to see him return for another summer? Of course, but I’ll support most any decision he makes for himself. Maybe he’ll text me for advice.
Emery Corley is an attorney in St. Louis, MO and is the legal advisor for the Philmont Staff Association. He worked at Philmont for 5 seasons and was an inter-preter at Northern Tier. Ryan Corley is one of the newest Life Members of the PSA - perhaps taking on an enhanced meaning since Ryan has been visiting Philmont over the years since he was 5.
Editor’s Note: This article about Philkids becoming Philstaff reminded your editor of a photo that appeared on the cover of High Country in 2005. It was of Mark Stinnett’s ten-year old daughter Michelle, who participated in the “PSA Week at PTC”. Knowing that she had also joined the Philstaff, we persuaded her dad to update the photo – taken in the same location at PTC, nine years later. In 2014, in her second year on Philmont staff and a student at Colorado State University, Michelle served as a program coun-selor at Hunting Lodge.
If you have photographs of multi-generation Philstaff, we would love to share them with our readers, together with any brief stories about the staffers themselves. Digital photographs are preferred, but simply because they are multi-generational, we realize this isn’t al-ways possible. Please understand, though, that the higher the resolu-tion of the photograph, the better it will reproduce. Send your photos and stories to [email protected] or Philmont Staff Association, 17 Deer Run Road, Cimarron, NM 87714.
26 deep green Volume 38, number 2— April 2015 deep green 27 Volume 38, number 2— April 2015
by Mark Ray
Scouting was green when green was just a color. The Outdoor Code has been part of Scouting since 1948, and Scouts were striving to leave nothing but footprints long before the principles of Leave No Trace were codified. That doesn’t mean there’s no room for improvement, of course. Not every BSA camp puts the same emphasis on environmental stewardship as Philmont does. Not every council strives to re-duce its carbon footprint while growing its membership. Sustainability within the BSA took a big step forward in 2013 with the open-
BSA Moves from green to Deep green
ing of the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia, the BSA’s initial sustain-ability summit, and the release of the Sustainability merit badge (an alternate to Environmental Science on the list of Eagle-required merit badges). Scouting’s move from green to deep green has continued this year with the naming of the BSA’s first sustainability director, John Stewart, a second sustain-ability summit, and the release of the BSA’s initial sustainability report. Much like a corporate annual report, the sustainability report is full of success stories. Readers learn about Philmont’s recycling program, green buildings at Northern Tier and the
Sea Scout Base Galveston, and water-conservation efforts at Camp Emerald Bay. They also learn about the so-called triple bottom line of sustainability. As the report explains, being sustain-able doesn’t mean abandoning your mission. “Instead, it means broadening the definition of success and examin-ing what we do through the lens of the triple bottom line: People, Planet, and Prosperity,” the report states. “Only by balancing its priorities in these three ar-eas can an organization understand its true impact and success in the world.” Beyond success stories and defi-nitions, the sustainability report is
designed to spark a conversation about what sustainability means in a Scout-ing context—and to invite readers to participate in making Scouting even greener. As the Sustainability merit badge pamphlet explains, “Sustainabil-ity is a journey, not a destination. It is a call to action. What can a single Scout do? A family? One community? It’s time to find out! This is a journey that begins with you.”
For more information about the BSA’s sustainability efforts, and to read the sustainability report, visit http://www.greentodeepgreen.org.
Empirical evidence answers the age-old question.
The BSA continues its efforts to emphasize the importance of sustainability.
28 short stuff Volume 38, number 2— April 2015 cimarroncita 29 Volume 38, number 2— April 2015
short stuff
I was pleasantly surprised to see a letter from Judge Mills in the October issue of High Country. You see, way back in 1969-1970, Judge Mills ran the “Report to the Governor” program for the Abraham Lincoln Council (to the best of my recollec-tion) in Springfield, Illinois - the state capitol. I had represented Rainbow Council in Joliet, Illinois to the 1969 “Report to the Nation” program. As a result, I was also appointed by my council to represent it at the Report to the Governor program in February 1970. That’s where I met Judge Mills for the first time. To say the least, he impressed the socks off of us Eagle Scouts participating in the program. We met several times again later in the 1970s when I was working for the Illinois Legislature and a scout leader with Troop 216 in Springfield. He was still running the Report to the Gover-nor program. As an aside, because of the Report to the Nation program, I was also awarded a KCM scholarship through Philmont.
Regards,
Chris Manheim
Letter sparks memories
The December 2014 High Country article on the acquisition of Cimarroncita Ranch Camp was of great interest to me. I first became aware of Cimarroncita in 1961 while on a side hike of Baldy from Pueblano (see December 2004 High Country) when we stumbled upon a group of their campers. A few years later as a Philmont Ranger there was an occasional conversation about the potential risk/reward of an unauthorized hike to Cimarroncita. Of course that was an era when there were no women in the back country and few in Camping Headquar-ters. I suppose the young women who once attended Cimarroncita now attend Philmont. Well, now we will be able to hike there without getting in trouble. Sounds like a good addition.
John Mills, 64, 65, 71
recollections of cimarroncitaby Colleen Coleman Lester
Lessons can take decades to learn. And my time as a staff member at Cimarron-cita Ranch Camp started the unfolding of a grand one. Some who came to Cimarroncita seemed to take no notice of the wind as it slipped through the pines. The raucous call as a raven took flight. The rustle of small things in the rich grasses. How could they not see? How could they not want to know about all the beauty unfolding around them? The history on which they stood? I flipped between the frustration of wanting them to understand to the apathy of “if they don’t care, I don’t care.” The truth? I wanted Cimarron-cita to be Philmont. I wanted these young women to share in the power of self-discovery that happened on a harrowing, snow-dusted trip down from Apache Springs; getting horses and riders to shelter during a monster storm below the Tooth; watching the sun peep over Coyote Mesa and unfold the colors of dawn. My friend, Julie, and I were there to mount a mini-musical where all campers could participate. But parents and others who expected step and glide to the familiar tunes from “Annie” or “The Wiz” experienced something vastly different. No stage props or scene changes or stylized costumes. That evening’s script and chore-ography were inspired by firelight or a creeping dawn in the long ago past
somewhere in the lonely spaces of the American West. “Gentle rain whispers in the pinons as dusk settles in. The Sangre de Cristos loom clouded across the still valley and a chill slides in as an unseen sun sinks down. The scent from the earth, sweet and strong, rises in the silence between the drops of rain. Pull the sweater in a little closer and breathe. Stand and breathe and remember in solitude and gratitude the Creator of all that is sacred. From across the meadow, a low, rich drumbeat begins, slowly gaining power as it brings its voice to the stillness. Ba-bom-mm. Ba-bommmm. Ba-bommm. The rain-washed grasses and dripping trees listen to its roll and echo. Torches flicker in the gloom as, without a word, the women and
reflections on cimarroncita
Julie Turner Stuart, co-producer of the ceremony, announces the July 4th horse show.
30 cimarroncita Volume 38, number 2— April 2015cimarroncita 31 Volume 38, number 2— April 2015
girls of Cimarroncita follow their hearts to the source. A slim, tow-headed 10 year-old steps high to the block where the light finds her. Her face carries a solemnity that reaches far beyond her years. But her heart knows. The words of Black Elk come effortlessly to her lips. “Hey-a-a-hey! Grandfather, Great Spirit, once more behold me on earth and lean to hear my feeble voice. You lived first, and you are older than all need, older than all prayer. The good road and the road of difficulties you have made to cross; and where they cross, the place is holy.”
Another young one stands. “The ground on which we stand is sacred ground.” The wisdom of Chief Plenty-Coups spoken by this gentle one fills the quiet. And another. And then another … each powerfully speaking the truth of the ancestors of this land. Softly, insistently, the drum sounds again. A hoop is formed and a dance begins. The sway and grace of the young women moves in the firelight. Sweet voices begin to chant the songs they learned only days ago. Songs that will echo for the rest of their lives when feel-ing moves beyond words. The drum beats on.” Of course, the drum’s real home is not Cimarroncita, but over the hills at Philmont. The sound that has called so many there to ceremony and reverence, now calls to new ears here. It is an honor to
share this drum. It speaks to the essence of the women they will become. It changes them. It seeps under their skin. It moves thought to larger concepts and fresher ways of experiencing who they are — down deep where no one sees. They listen to the drum. Their hearts hear. It is its own prayer. The pulsing, low-throated tone brings forward a power they cannot explain. A humility they cannot hold. It reminds them of something they have never known, but know they won’t forget.
After that eve-ning, I knew some had moved to a deeper awareness. It was obvious in new conversation and increased desire to explore the hills or learn about the Cimarron Route of the Sante Fe Trail, still visible near the front gate. I was grateful for that. And it has taken me years to open my thought to allow others to be exactly where they are. What I failed to see then and didn’t see until quite recently, is that we all come to ap-preciate the earth in our own time and in our own way. Lesson learned. At last. The founder of Philmont, Waite Phil-lips, knew it. The founder of Cimar-roncita, Minnette Burk, knew it. It may have taken years for some of the rest of us, but we finally know it, too. Philmont Scout Ranch and Cimar-roncita Ranch Camp have joined hands. Rich, vibrant land unites with rich, vibrant land. To create a larger circle, a wider hoop. After so many years of quiet waiting, Cimarroncita sings again. Philmont dances with her.
Would it please the ancestors?
Listen.
You can hear the drum.
Colleen Coleman Lester is a writer living in Green Valley, Arizona, with her husband, Chris. She was a staff member at Philmont in 1972 and at Cimarronita in 1978. It was at Philmont where she fell in love with the Great Southwest.
A singer/dancer seeks a blessing.The writer in a quiet moment on her cabin porch at Cimarronicta.
32 ptc news Volume 38, number 2— April 2015 ptc news 33 Volume 38, number 2— April 2015
ptc news
by Nancy Farrell
In 2010, a task force of volunteer Scout-ers formed to do a thorough review and analysis of all program areas of the Boy Scouts of America. One of the key outcomes of this process was the identification of a series of Desired Out-comes for the entire program, applied from Cub Scouting through Venturing. These outcomes centered around five principal areas: Character Develop-ment, Participatory Citizenship, Lead-ership and Life Skills, Outdoor Skills and Personal Fitness. While much of the Cub Scouting program was aligned with delivering those outcomes, it was determined that several areas of the program were not. The task force then
Big changes coming to cubs
handed their work over for develop-ment of a fully realized program model, including the development of a new series of Cub Scout Handbooks and Den Leader Guides to support the new program. The development team for the new Cub Scout Handbooks and Den Leader Guides consisted of 14 individuals who not only have a strong background of service as leaders at the unit, district and council levels, but who have also helped in authoring several national resources and trainings that are cur-rently used in Cub Scouting. Many have served and continue to serve on national task forces and committees representing Cub Scouting. It is no surprise that each team member had
connections to the magic of Philmont too, and 8 of the 14 are currently PSA members. The development team, known as the CAT Team (for Cub Adven-ture Team), understood that the new program must simply be FUN. They recognized that the Cub Scout experi-ence had to be attractive and interest-ing to boys and their families. They also agreed that not all of the current program curriculum was “broken” and should be preserved. It needed an update to ensure that it remained a program of choice for boys and their families, and that this updating needed to provide boys with more opportuni-ties for outdoor fun and adventure and provide opportunities for growing and developing leadership skills and dispo-sitions among the boys in the program. Scouting began as an adventure with Baden-Powell on Brownsea Island. Those twenty two boys enjoyed a camp with daily themes of camping, observa-tion, woodcraft, chivalry, saving a life, patriotism, and games! Sounds like a lot of fun filled adventures to me! As CAT reviewed and applied the desired outcomes from the design team to cre-ate a new curriculum, adventure-based learning was a natural fit. The CAT wanted the adventures to not only meet the design phase desired outcomes, but wanted the adventures to be such that the Cub couldn’t wait until the next week’s meeting to continue the adventure. Between den meetings, the updated handbook would provide a companion to experience the adven-tures planned for each den meeting. The basic unit of advancement in
the new program is an adventure. Com-pleting seven adventures is required for rank advancement at each level from earning the Tiger badge to achieving the Arrow of Light Rank. The name ad-venture was deliberately chosen, to em-phasize the nature of the advancement process and the delivery of the pro-gram as fun-filled, boy-centered, and adventurous. Some sample adventures include “Tigers in the Wild,” the Wolf rank’s “Call of the Wild” and “Paws on the Path,” the Bear rank’s “Bear Claws” and “Bear Necessities,” Webelos “Cast Iron Chef” and “Webelos Walkabout” as well as the Arrow of Light rank’s “Camper.” These will help introduce outdoor skills to our youth at an earlier age than in the current Cub Scouting program. Requirements that emphasize outdoor adventure and skills range from learn-ing the six Cub Scout outdoor essen-tials, preparing for a hike, proper fire lay and usage, identification and obser-vation of plants and animals, map read-ing, geocaching, to hazardous weather preparation. All of these, supported by Leave No Trace Principles for Kids and our Outdoor Code, will get the Cubs outside experiencing the world around them. While these particular adventures appear to be centered on the outdoor track, they actually have the desired outcomes woven throughout. For example, in the Webelos Walkabout hike, the boy will develop leadership skills, practice many of the points of the Scout Law, provide service to others with a project, gain physical exercise and make nutritional food choices. The Scout probably won’t see it that way…
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he’ll think it’s cool to be outside, to be with his buddies, dig in the dirt and get to eat too! These are just a taste of a total of over 80 adventures that await the current and future generations of Cub Scouts. Adventures filled with all the fun a boy wants and needs! Adven-tures that develop an understanding of a Scout’s Duty to God, that are STEM related, Aquatics related, and adven-tures that involve activities that boys still enjoy today as they did 84 years ago when Cub Scouting began. As PSA members, we know from each of our own experiences that Philmont is “Delivering Wilderness & Learning Adventures that Last a Lifetime”. You may also know that the BSA’s marketing campaign rolled out at the National Annual Meeting last May encourages us to “Build an Adventure” in Scouting. The changes to the Cub Scouting program will provide that starting point in the learning experi-ences that will build our youth to be strong men of tomorrow with its ad-ventures. Adventures that will encour-
age them to continue into Boy Scouting, Varsity and Venturing. Adventures that, who knows, could lead them to the magic of Philmont at some point in their Scouting careers. Take a closer look at the background of the program changes and read through the adventure snapshots, ratio-nales and requirements at www.scout-ing.org/program updates. Perhaps you are currently registered as a Cub Scout leader, have sons or grandsons who are Cub Scouts. Or perhaps it has been awhile since you were a registered member of the BSA. Keep involved if you currently serve. Or, get back involved, register and help out where there is a need for your leadership. The Adventures of Cub Scouting will begin June 1, 2015! Be a part of the Adven-tures!
Ed. Note: Nancy Farrell is a PSA member, registered with the Denver Area Council as a Scouter Reserve. She served as national Co-Chair on the Cub Adventure Team.
by Sarah Burgess, Associate Director of Conservation for Environmental Education
During the summer of 2014, STEM Ini-tiatives at Philmont Scout Ranch made great strides. Bringing science, technol-ogy, engineering and math concepts to the forefront of a summer participant or staff member’s minds is no easy task but due to increased manpower, a new individual trek experience (722 ST*) and new Philmont Training Center youth conference, it was not long before people were exclaiming, “Hey, that’s STEM!” The Conservation Department hired two STEM educators, a new position for 2014 and a testament to objectives completed in the previous summer. Led by the STEM coordinator, this team of creative minds focused on reaching out to every Philmont staff member about three key concepts: what STEM is about, what STEM is about at Philmont, and what do people think are the most interesting ways to incorporate and talk STEM here at the Ranch. It was a tough task, but someone had to do it—by July, the STEM Educators had hiked to all 35 staffed camps, including the newest, Metcalf Station. Affectionately referred to as “STEM Heaven,” by Metcalf’s staff and Environmental Educators, this camp provided one of the best integra-tions of vocabulary, visual conceptu-alization and hands-on demonstration of STEM existing in our Backcountry program. Talk of levers, mechanical
Hey, that’s STEM!
advantage, and the clanging of tools rang out daily in the canyon. Recognition of STEM by partici-pants was fueled by Backcountry staff who included terminology and concept demonstration during program talks at each camp. Each shooting camp was given a fresh, 20-pound clay block to fashion a new ballistics model. Saw-mill, a .30-06 shooting program, raised the bar in Legacy Projects with the help of CHQ Maintenance, and produced a beautiful display shadowbox for depicting spent ammunition picked up around their range and dug out from targets. According to Sawmill Camp Director, Emily Megee, her staff “kept saving interesting pieces of ammuni-tion we found around the range” to show campers during porch talks and Advisor’s Coffee, and wanted to put it in something “nicer than a plastic bowl.” This eye-catching visual stimu-lated conversation by Scouts and staff to talk about trajectory, thermodynam-ics of the gun itself and how environ-
Ptc courses available to PSA members this summer Inserted in this issue of High Country is a listing of the many cool courses being offered at PTC this summer. Check it out.
If there is something there that interests you, and especially if you’ve never taken a course at PTC, make your Philmont experience complete and sign up. Heck, bring the whole family. And if you take courses beginning or ending the weekend of July 11, you can take in the PSA reunion while you’re at it!
Mechanical advantage is demonstrated at Met-calf Station.
photo by Sarah Burgess
stem 37 Volume 38, number 2— April 201536 stem Volume 38, number 2— April 2015
mental conditions can affect ballistics. The staff at Cyphers Mine provided the ultimate hands-on chemistry lesson as they helped 722-ST forge a special item: the inaugural STEM brand, pictured here. Ponil staff members made a 6’x4’ wood-burned, interactive flip-tab visual discussing the power of a horse kick, which now is displayed outside their commissary.
One of the most exciting projects last summer was Cimarroncito’s boul-dering gym receiving a makeover with a STEM twist! Thanks to the hard work and efforts of early arriving staff and volunteers from Connecticut Rivers Council, the interior of the gym was demolished (even the old refrigerator concrete some might remember in the corner), re-designed climbing holds and repainted, including STEM-themed murals depicting rope strength, fall fac-tors and pulley concepts. Participants from both the STEM trek and youth conference, as well as all regular crews experiencing the gym this summer, enjoyed the chance to browse the tech-
nical descriptions of physics at work in rock climbing and use a hands-on area to build various strengths of pulleys to heave a 50 lb. bag of lead shot in the air. Brand new in 2014 was a youth-only conference held in Week 8 at Philmont Training Center. Eleven Boy Scouts and Venturers participated in this inau-gural experience and had an eventful week of exploring various Backcountry programs and bonding through their common curiosity about STEM in the outdoors. The youth conference participants spent their week doing daily hikes to some of the Backcoun-try’s most exciting hands-on programs that dig deeper into STEM. Among their weeklong activities, the group explored the COPE course, practiced mapping with GPS and learned from our knowledgeable staff at Indian Writ-ings, Cimarroncito and the Demonstra-tion Forest. The participants motivated many interactions with staff to go
further in-depth than a typical program talk – one staff member exclaimed, “I love talking to you guys—you ask great questions and have kept me on my toes!” The Visiting Forester program gave an interesting talk about climate change data related to the amount of carbon di-oxide released during natural and man-made forest fires. Results were sur-prising to the group and they walked away with a new understanding of dendrochronology, wildfire science and climate change. Many unique activities were squeezed in during the Scouts’ time in their meeting room at PTC including: building pocket microscopes alongside the adult STEM course par-ticipants, getting a behind-the-scenes tour of the Seton Museum’s artifacts and spending some time learning about vintage automobile mechanics with PTC Faculty member Chuck Walneck. Looking forward to summer 2015, youth can sign up for the STEM Trek or PTC Youth Conference. Two treks will take place in July, one exploring the North Country with a chance to climb Baldy and experience Metcalf Sta-tion. Another trek will experience several living history camps of the South Coun-try and climb the Tooth of Time before their final hike down to Base Camp. For the youth interested in taking day hikes from their base at PTC, “#Awe-some! – STEM Explorations in Philm-ont’s Backcountry” will occur in Week 3. Details about these opportunities can be found on the Philmont Scout Ranch website or you may email questions to [email protected].
Please tell a youth in your life about the exciting STEM adventures that await them at Philmont Scout Ranch! Nowhere else does such a picturesque outdoor classroom exist in which Scouts can experience unique high-adventure activities while having fun, igniting new interests and learning from our knowledgeable, world-class staff.
*A participant from 722-ST has written an article about the experience; look for it to be published via Boy’s Life and Scouting magazine’s blogs later this spring.
Ammunition display shadow box at Sawmill camp.
photo by Sarah Burgess
The inaugural STEM brand forged at Cyphers Mine.
photo by Sarah Burgess
PhiLMont MAnAgEMEnt triViA:
Dave Kenneke is believed to be only the third Philmont seasonal staff member to ascend to one of the top management positions at the ranch (general manager, director of program, comptroller, facili-ties superintendent, and ranch superin-tendent). Can you name the other two?
Answer on Page 39
The interior of the Cimarroncito bouldering gym was made over with a STEM twist.
photo by Dominic Baima
38 trail talk Volume 38, number 2— April 2015 trail talk 39 Volume 38, number 2— April 2015
Trail Talk learns that Richard P. Walters DDS (64-66) was presented the Out-standing Eagle Scout Award in Hong Kong for his dedication to Scouting and to his profession. He has served as Scoutmaster, ASM, OA advisor and camp-ing director for Troop 1 for the past 31 years, a leader at five national and two international jamborees and led two expeditions to Philmont. He has been presented the Silver Beaver Award (2002) and is a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow (1959). Professionally, Richard has been secretary, vice president and president of the Hong Kong Dental Association. He has served on numerous association and government committees, including the Hong Kong Dental Council and chairman of Ethics and Legislation. Richard has represented his association at several regional and international dental forums. He taught part-time at Prince Philip Dental Hospital for 22 years and did charity dentistry at drug addiction treatment centers and at low income children centers. Prior to starting his dental practice in Hong Kong, Richard and his wife served two years in Chad, Africa, with the Peace Corps. contact: [email protected]
richard Walters receives outstanding Eagle Awardtrail talk
1950s
John M. Bacon (53-54), after graduation from Cornell University in 1960 (bio-logical and environmental engineer-ing), was a process control manager in the chemical industry for 30 years, then 5 years as a NASA business develop-ment specialist, then one year in the Applied Physics Lab. Now retired, he is chairman of the Chesapeake Beach Oyster Cultivation Society. Contact: 8717 C Street, Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732. [email protected].
1970s
Jim Macgillivray (72-73), a member of the Philmont Ranch Committee and life member of the PSA, has been awarded the Silver Beaver by National Capitol Area Council. Contact: 8032 Captains
Court, Frederick, MD 21701. 301-682-6095. [email protected].
1990s
robert cooney (99, 04) after gradua-tion from medical school, married his longtime partner Stephanie and they now have three children: Adelay (5), Foster (3), and Maven (1). He contin-ues to teach emergency medicine to medical students and residents and practices as an emergency physician in Johnstown, PA. Contact: 210 Concord Street, Indiana, PA 15701. 724-859-7053. [email protected].
2000s
Andrew hosier (06) worked for Longs Peak Council in a number of council in MeMoriAM
…forever on the trail…
High Country is advised by Ned Gold of the death of former Phil-
staffer Scott Sperka in Tryon, SC on January 3, 2014. He was the brother
of Philstaffer Michael “Misha” Sperka.
camp positions, then at Winnebago Council at the Ingawanis Adventure Base, and now cares for his elderly parents while working the family farm. Contact: 7521 West 12th Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613. 319-266-2053.
Bob Myers (08-14) has been engaged in Scouting for 29 years and is pres-ently ASM for Troop 316 in Irving, TX. He still works in custom trade show exhibit sales and enjoys photography, kayaking, and hiking. Contacts: 8623 Old Oak Drive, Irving, TX 75063. 214-774-9657. [email protected].
AnSWEr to triViA QuEStion:
Current Ranch Superintendent Bob Ricklefs and former Director of Program Dave Bates.
You’re invited to attend a conference at the Philmont Training Center – The National Training Center of the Boy Scouts of America. Visit PhilmontTrainingCenter.org for full conference descriptions, family program details and registration information. Limited scholarship funding is available. Take advantage of the early bird special fees by registering before January 1, 2015. Registration opens July 1, 2014.
JUNE 7-13
JUNE 14-20
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* All About Venturing * Conference on Education for Advancement
Administrators (CEAA)* Creating Organizational Excellence (by invitation only)• Delivering Training to Unit Leaders• Visual Storytelling Workshop
* Advanced Leadership Skills for Administrative Commissioners
• Commissioner Service for Non-Traditional or Faith Based Units
• The Council Commissioner• District Commissioner and Assistant District Commissioner
Training• District Operations 2 (by invitation only)• Effective Roundtables• Philmont Ambassador Seminar• Putting More Outing In Scouting• The Unit Commissioner• National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE)
* #AWESOME! – STEM Explorations in Philmont’s Backcountry (14-20 age youth)
• Building Stronger Troops• Council Key 3* Creating Exciting Exploring and Learning for Life Programs:
Best Practices and Strategies • District Key 3• Dynamic Program Planning* Experiencing the NEW Cub Scout Adventure Program• Order of the Arrow Conference* STEM-tastic Scouting – Inspiration, Imagination and
Innovation• National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE)
JULY 19-25
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7* All About Venturing* Mastering Advanced Skills to Build Programs that Rock • People Management 1 (by invitation only)• People Management 2 (by invitation only)• People Management 3 (by invitation only)• Scouting in Baptist Churches• Scouting in the Catholic Church• Scouting in the United Methodist Church• National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience
(NAYLE)
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6* Becoming Youth Led: Utilizing the Patrol Method and More!* Disabilities Awareness: Building Unit, District and
Council Resources• Energize your Enterprise Risk Management Committee* Experiencing the NEW Cub Scout Adventure Program* Mastering Advanced Skills to Build Programs that Rock• T-Cubed (T3) – Train the Trainer* Utilizing the Voice of the Scout (Customer Satisfaction)
in your District and Council• Wilderness 1st Aid: Instructor Trainer Development• National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE)
JULY 4-10• LDS Scouting Leadership Conference
(by invitation only)• National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience
(NAYLE) WEEK 5
JUNE 27-JULY 3• LDS Scouting Leadership Conference
(by invitation only)
• Go to: PhilmontTrainingCenter.org• Choose ‘Register for Philmont Training Center’
2015 Registration Begins September 1, 2014
PHILMONT TRAINING CENTER 2015
CIMARON N.M.
PHIL
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NT TRAINING CENTER
SPS
PHILMONTTRAININGCENTER.ORG • 575.376.2281 • [email protected]
JUNE 21-27
* Indicates a new course in 2015
JULY 12-18
WEEK 4
National Training Center - Boy Scouts of AmericaPHILMONT TRAINING CENTER 2015
AUGUST 2-8
JULY 26-AUGUST 1
AUGUST 9-15
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* All About Venturing• Advancement Issues and Solutions• Council Key 3• District Key 3* Experiencing the NEW Cub Scout Adventure Program* Finding Your Way – Night or Day!* Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills• Training Your Troop’s Leaders• Training Your Venturing Crew Leaders• National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience
(NAYLE)
• Council Key 3• District Committee• District Key 3• District Operations 2 (by invitation only)
* Experiencing the NEW Cub Scout Adventure Program* Managing District & Council Activities• Putting More Outing in Scouting• The Unit Commissioner• National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience
(NAYLE)
* All About Venturing• Building Stronger Troops• District Key 3• FBI: Faith Based Initiative Membership Plan• Philmont Ambassador Seminar• T-Cubed (T3): Train the Trainer• Training Pack Leaders• William T. Hornaday Adviser Training
* Applying Outdoor Ethics in Your Unit, District and Council
• Climbing Director Certification• Conservation USA• COPE & Climbing Program Manager Certification• COPE Director Certification• Implementing the National Camp Accreditation Program
(NCAP) in Your Council• Philmont Leadership Challenge* STEM-tastic Scouting – Inspiration, Imagination and
Innovation* Strategic Analysis of Council Properties* Take Aim at Shooting Sports Year Round • Trek Leader Planning and Advanced Outdoor Leader
Skills• Wilderness 1st Aid: Instructor Trainer Development
* Indicates a new course in 2015
2015 Philmont Training Center Fees
• Go to: PhilmontTrainingCenter.org• Choose ‘Register for Philmont Training Center’
Are you looking for the ultimate Scouting family adventure? Bring your family with you to PTC! PTC offers Philmont adventure for everyone in your family. Learn more about PTC conferences, the outstanding family programs and check for up to date conference information by visiting us at:PhilmontTrainingCenter.org
• Visit: PhilmontScoutRanch.org• Or follow our social media sites:
Find out more about Philmont opportunities!
Learn More About Philmont Training Center!
Fees include all conference materials, meals, lodging andfamily program.
Through 12/31/2014
After 1/1/2015
Conference $515 $530
STEM Youth Conference $395 $395
Non-Conference Adult (20+) $365 $375
Mountain Trek (Ages 14-20) $395 $415
Children (Ages 14-20) $305 $315
Children (Ages 6-13) $195 $200
Children (Ages 3-5) $95 $100
Children (Ages 0-2) $95 $100
NAYLE Participant $395 $395
2015 Registration Begins September 1, 2014
PHILMONTTRAININGCENTER.ORG • 575.376.2281 • [email protected]
SEPTEMBER 13-19