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PhilNewsJuly 22Nd, 2016 issue seveN

Clay Helfrick/PhilNews

Waite Phillips was an avid outdoorsman. The roots of his generosity lay deep within his love of exploring and adventuring. As a young man, Phillips explored out West with his twin brother. It is said that these beloved memories are what motivated Phillips’ donations to the Boy Scouts of America.

Scouts may find it especially inspiring to visit Fish Camp, where they can walk the same paths and fish in the same rivers that Phillips did.

Fish Camp, or Rayado Lodge,

as it was called by Phillips, served as a vacation home for him and his family and occasionally for friends.

Rayado Lodge was built in 1910 by George Webster, and in 1922, Phillips purchased the cabin and began adding rooms on to it. In 1925 , he sold his oil company and then built the Villa in 1926.

Before building the Villa, Phillips would stay for a week during the summer at Rayado Lodge.

“He’d hunt and fish and all that good stuff,” said John Lauber, Camp Director at Fish Camp.

Even after the Villa was built,

Phillips would use the Lodge as a vacation spot. He continued to visit for as long as he physically could.

Today, Fish Camp serves as one of the Backcountry destinations for Scouts. Here, participants witness the Phillips Family and their guests, Vice President Charles Dawes and his family.

Lauber plays Phillips and attempts to deliver an authentic performance of who the great benefactor actually was.

“I try to be very generous and patient and well spoken,” said Lauber of his interactions with the Scouts.

Continued on page 3

Waite’s Way: Phillips at Fish Camp

A warm welcome

Suzannah Evans Staff Writer

Eleanor HasenbeckStaff Writer

A crew’s trek begins well before they take their first steps on the dusty trail, even before they’re evaluated by Medical Recheck or watch their Ranger fall from the bell outside of the Camper Dining Hall. Their Philmont experience begins and ends with a warm smile and few cups of hot chocolate at the Welcome Center.

“We’re kind of like a front desk at a motel,” said Welcome

Center Manager, Steve Camp. The Welcome Center checks in each group. Each day, Welcome Center staff fill and empty 500 tents in Homebound and Trailbound Tent City. They supply them with passports to be stamped at stops around Base Camp and the backcountry. Crews are given maps and crew leader forms to be filled throughout their trek. They connect each crew to their Ranger.

Continued on page 3

The cabin at Fish Camp was known as the Rayado Lodge by the Phillips family. It is nestled nearby the Rayado River, where Waite Phillips fished frequently. Nathaniel Aron/News and Photo Services

Rob Lewis, Crew leader of Expedition 714 F5, checks out of Trailbound Tent City as his crew prepares to depart for the backcountry. Clay Helfrick/PhilNews

PhilmontScoutRanch.orgFriday, July 22, 2016 | PhilNews2

Friday, 22 Saturday, 23 Sunday, 24 Monday, 25 Tuesday, 26 Wednesday, 27 Thursday, 28

5:30 p.m.Philmont 5K- Frontof SSSACRecruiting &Resume WorkshopFiesta de Taos

5 p.m.PhilNews Deadline

Fiesta de Taos

Fiesta de Taos Christmas in July Deadline for Fall Staff Applications8 p.m. Open Mic Night-Baldy Pavilion

PTC Western Night

9 a.m.- 5 p.m.Haircuts in SAC($15)

Recruiting &Resume Workshop

Movie NightTaos Plaza Live7 p.m.Federal JobOpportunities- HCC


Olympic Event

Contra Dancing


Brat Day!Recruiting &Resume Workshop

Olympic Event

8 p.m.Staff photocontest awards

Winter Job Fair Winter Job Fair

Recruiting &Resume Workshop



Olympic Event 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.Haircuts in SAC($15)

Brat Day!

July 22-August 11

Marketing ManagerBryan Hayek

NPS ManagerCassidy Johnson

PhilNews EditorHannah McCarthy

PhilNews WritersSuzannah Evans Eleanor Hasenbeck

Photography ManagerTyler Sanders

PhotographersDrew Castellaw Alex CenciSkyler Ballard Clay HelfrickGabriel ScarlettLex SeligMadelynne Scales

Photo Lab LeadSean McElligott

Photo Lab TechsNathaniel AronLiam Inbody

Lead Marketing SpecialistAlexander Bohlen

Marketing Media StaffThomas Officer

Lead VideographerKreable Young

VideographerClaire Ficke

News aNd Photo team

Submissions to the PhilNews are welcome any time!

If you would like a chance to contribute to the PhilNews,please send your articles, story ideas,and/

or creative writings to the PhilNews Editor at

[email protected].

Deadline: Saturdays @ 5p.m.

The Martian Come join us in Baldy Pavilion

on July 28 for The Martian. The movie begins at 8 p.m. Soda refreshments will be served.

When astronauts blast off from the planet Mars, they leave behind Mark Watney (Matt Damon), presumed dead after a fierce

storm. With only a meager amount of supplies, the stranded visitor must utilize his wits and spirit to find a way to survive on the hostile planet. Meanwhile, back on Earth, members of NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring him home, while his crew mates hatch their own plan for a daring rescue mission.

Taos Plaza LiveTaos Plaza Live is a summer

concert series, unsurprisingly located in the Taos Plaza. Throughout the summer, there is a free concert every Thursday night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Alabama Shakes Playing at Kit Carson Park in

Taos on August 6th.Tickets: $60 in advance, $65 day of

Doors: 6:30 p.m.; Show: 7:30 p.m.

Fiesta de TaosAs they have for centuries, the

good people of Taos celebrate the Feast of St. Anne and St. James. The annual event, popularly referred to as “The Taos Fiestas,” allows the local population to put aside their labor for two days and bask in the leisure of the holy days.

Highlight Event

Event Descriptions

Activities Staff

Activities Staff

The backcountry triathlon was held on July 17. Events of the triathlon were timed and were as follows; bouldering wall traverse, bike ride from the SSSAC to the archery range and a tomahawk throwing competition at the archery range. Medal counts and points boards have been updated across basecamp.

Teams: For the purposes of this event,

all Base Camp departments and the PTC will be grouped together, and the horse department will compete with the backcountry department. Each team will have a

liaison that will be responsible for coordinating with Activities. The four teams and their liaisons are:

• Backcountry and Horse Department-Jimmy Fritze (Backcountry Manager)

• Base Camp and PTC- Savannah Moore (Security)

• Conservation- Nathan Coney (ADC for Conservationists)

• Rangers- Will Suggs (Associate Chief Ranger)

If you want to represent your department in the Olympiad, contact your team Liaison.

Philmont Olympics Update

PhilmontScoutRanch.org PhilmontScoutRanch.org Friday, July 22, 2016 PhilNews | 3

Continued from page one: Phillips at Fish Camp

Continued from page one: A warm welcome

Lauber explained that Phillips was known as a very thoughtful, quiet and contemplative man. Lauber attempts to demonstrate this generosity by inviting Scouts to go fishing or other activities available at the camp.

Today, Scouts learn the basics of fly fishing such as how to tie flies. They can participate in catch and release fishing in the Rayado River, experiencing what Phillips loved so much about his land.

In addition to displaying Phillips’s character, the staff at Fish Camp helps paint the broader picture of who this man was.

Characters at the camp include Charles Dawes, who served the United State as Vice President to Calvin Coolidge, and his wife, Caro Dawes. The fact that Phillips was vacationing with the Vice President points to the fact that he

was a rather powerful individual. Program Counselor Rachel

Milner explained that her character, Caro Dawes, was a very charitable individual and loved children.

“I think it’s the perfect role to have here,” said Milner.

Milner makes it a point to interact with Scouts in way that Caro might have. She strives to come off as motherly and encouraging. She also brings up the fact that Phillips was a big supporter of Scouting.

“Mr. Phillips has told me about you,” says Milner as she interacts with Scouts.

Milner explained that Phillips believed that Scouts were the future of America. This is something that she tries to instill in conversations with them as well.

“We want to be enthusiastic, and visit with them and listen to their stories and get them ready to go on the trail and make some stories of their own,” Camp said. The Welcome Center also serves coffee, hot chocolate and Gatorade to make the place feel like home. When you walk in, it’s just as easy to find staff pointing participants to the Mailroom as it is to hop in on a conversation amongst Scouts and staff about Pokemon Go.

The Welcome Center is not just for crews, either. They also

greet Philmont alumni, who often pull off of Highway 21, into the parking lot to show God’s Country to their spouses and children.

“We get about a million people a year, it seems like… to visit just because they were here back in the 1960s or 1970s,” Camp said.

It’s a job that doesn’t stop. The Welcome Center is staffed 24 hours a day. Homebound crews leave at all hours, and it’s not uncommon to find a staff member, bleary eyed, but cheerfully there waiting to serve them.

For the employees, meeting and greeting Scouters from all over the country and the world is a highlight of the job. Between tent assignments, checking over 100 people at a time into the Ranch, and answering each question that pops into a crew member’s head on the train, plane or van ride to Philmont, they stay on their toes.

“You definitely learn to be patient with people,” said Assistant Manager Debbie Mitcham. “You’re better under pressure.”

Nick Koukol, right, drops his line into a stream near Fish Camp on July 10, 2016. Koukol tied his first fly and fished with it in the Philmont backcountry. Lex Selig/PhilNews

Fly tying is a very tedious process that involves thread, a hook and some fur. With the help of a magnifying glass, Scouts are able to create effective flies. Lex Selig/PhilNews

Steve Camp, Jared Chace and Bob Burton share a laugh Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at the Welcome Center. The staff completed stamping approximately 300 passports in preparation for crew arrival the following morning. Madelynne Scales/PhilNews

Dr. Dan Miller greets Scouts just as they step off their bus parked outside the Welcome Center. The Welcome Center greets Scouts arriving by shuttle, bus, and private vehicles 24/7. Clay Helfrick/PhilNews


I just completed my first Philmont PSA Trek at 39 years old. I am newly off the trail, yet I cannot get the trail out of my head. There are so many emotions I feel, it makes me speechles. At this stage in my life I had two thoughts: “1.What the heck are you doing? 2. What took me so long to finally do it?” I was feeling that internal back-and-forth struggle with a big decision I had just made. These thoughts bring out the raw emotions as I reflect on these incredible six days!

Let’s keep it real, I was scared, anxious, excited and stressed upon going on this trek. I had no idea what to expect and had no idea what I was getting myself into. In my busy day-to-day life of working full time, juggling my children, trying to give all my commitments my fullest attention, it seemed like “moving mountains” to even get myself ready for this trek. It was very difficult to release from all of this day-to-day, unplug my stinking phone and just have a little faith. Faith was the key that I needed to

set out on a trek or any quest of the unknown. To be honest, having a little faith was a lot harder to muster up, and definitely pushed my comfort zones.

Then came the day to grab my pack, hop on the bus and go. This was it. Do or do not! The day was here and I was going...no turning back. I said good-bye to my family, fought back more tears, got on the bus and off we went. I was the only one in my crew that had never been on a trek. Therefore, that added a level of intimidation to my mixture of emotions. But then, somewhere during the middle of the trek, I relented, let go and let the trek take its course. I couldn’t tell you where on the trail or campsite or the exact moment this “letting go” happened, it just happened. And after that moment, I knew everything was going to be okay, I was going to have one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life. It was like closing the door upon one set of emotions and turning towards the sun, as I have never seen the sun before in my life.

There are so many wonderful moments that I will carry with me, I don’t even know where to begin:

Making new friends, hearing great Philmont stories, hearing the coyotes howl at dusk, the amazing sunsets in the Valle Vidal, the wind gusts pushing me around on top of a Little Costilla, watching my fellow hikers weave around the trail, the comradery between nature and those that appreciate being surrounded in nature. I regret nothing and definitely would do this week all over again!

I will share the parting words that my Ranger, Liz Claassen shared with our crew as she departed.

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home:

that wildness is necessity; the mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers,

but as fountains of life.” –John Muir

How did Liz know I needed those words so badly? Call it fate, coincidence, or maybe just the power of getting on the trail and embracing nature. Regardless of what we want to call it, what seemed like moving mountains to get on this trek, turned out to be the mountains moving me!

My first Philmont trek...Ever!Dollie O’Neill Executive Director-Philmont Staff Association

PSA Executive Director and Trek leader Dollie O’Neill, center, and Trek Advisor Mike Thomas, right, plan out their six day itinerary with Mary Kilkenny at Logistics on Sunday, July 10, 2016 at Philmont Base Camp. Their itinerary includes Pueblano, Rich Cabins, and Little Castilla. Drew Castellaw/PhilNews

Ranger Trainer Liz Claassen talks about equipment that is needed for the backcountry to her PSA trek members at Philmont at the Backcountry Warehouse on Sunday, July 10, 2016. Drew Castellaw/PhilNews

David Houlle hikes across a bridge near the Ponil camp towards Pueblano on Monday, July 11, 2016. Drew Castellaw/PhilNews


David Houlle hikes across a bridge near the Ponil camp towards Pueblano on Monday, July 11, 2016. Drew Castellaw/PhilNews Text written by Suzannah Evans and Eleanor Hasenbeck

Graphic designed by Thomas Officer


Protestant ChaplainPhilmont is a sacred place – a

place to reinvigorate my body and my mind and my connection

to God. I first trekked the backcountry of Philmont as an Explorer in 1972, and stayed on to be a staff member for the rest of that season. Since then I have trekked twice, participated in and taught both PowderHorn and Philmont Leadership Challenge training courses, and taught at the Philmont Training Center ten seasons. I have been privileged to serve three years as a Philmont Chaplain, and love all of the challenges and the joys of serving the staff and campers here. This year I am also serving

on PTC faculty twice, including a new course on Chaplaincy Training that I am very excited about.

I am an Eagle Scout, as are two of our sons (who have both trekked and participated in OA Trail Crew at Philmont). My wife Maryann (who also works here at Philmont) and I are heavily involved in Scouting at every level. At the moment most of our work involves Religious Relationships and Messengers of Peace, along with many phases of Venturing. We are our council’s Philmont Ambassadors. I also chair our STEM and Conservation Committees; Maryann is the council Messengers of Peace chair.

Maryann and I are very involved with Scout Jamborees – both National and World. I have served on staff of 10 National and 5 World Jamborees; in 2015 in Japan I served as a Chaplain and Maryann served on the Medical Staff for BSA. For the National Jamboree in 2017, I will be serving as the chair of the Chaplaincy Group and Maryann

will be serving once again in the Medical Group. We hope to see many of you there serving on staff as well.

Although we are both native Californians (in fact we met at our local Scout camp), Maryann and I now reside in Columbus, OH. I hold an endowed chair as Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences at Capital University (teaching intro biology, genetics, biochemistry, and bioethics), and also serve as a volunteer Associate Pastor at University Baptist Church (American Baptist Churches, USA). Much of my research emphasis has been on biomedical ethics, as well as the interface of science and theology (which I enjoy discussing with anyone who has an interest). Maryann is now retired from nearly 30 years as a Labor and Delivery Nurse, and teaches Medical Terminology to health professions students at Capital University. Together

we have four sons and four grandchildren (with another on the way in December), so you can imagine that retirement for her is not a quiet time.

We love to travel, and often combine our travel with teaching or service responsibilities. We work with Habitat for Humanity and have taken several trips abroad to build homes. We take university students to Ecuador every three years, and Costa Rica and Panama in between. Of course our favorite travel is to see our grandchildren (who all live in California) and to serve at Philmont.

I look forward to meeting many of you along the Philmont trail, whether that be at Chapel, the dining hall, at PTC, or at a backcountry camp. And I hope and trust that God will once again allow me to have an impact on the lives of both campers and staff here at Philmont this summer.

Chaplain Bio: Reverend Doctor Kerry Cheesman The Ranger Mile: Fowler Mesa

Out of Eden Walk essay contest

Stephen LargentMidlothian, TX

“The biggest lesson I have learned from studying Paul Salopek’s Out of Eden Walk would have to be understanding the importance of taking a “slow journalism” approach. I learned that it is very important to slow down and notice all the details we can so easily miss in our everyday lives”

Stephen is 15 years old, and he attended Philmont from June 25 to July 7. This was his first trek at Philmont. He has been a Scout since he was a Wolf Cub in 2007. Read Stephen’s essay at pulitzercenter.org/philmont

T’ziah CourtneyHuntington Beach, CA

“Modern life teaches that all that moves quickly is good and efficient and things that move slow and meticulously are archaic. I found that this isn’t always true. That life can’t be measured in gigabytes but in connection to those around you and to the land beneath you.”

T’ziah is 14 years old and has been a Scout for one year. His favorite place to hike is the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. Read T’ziah’s essay at pulitzercenter.org/philmont

This week’s runners-up

The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting has selected a winner and ten runners-up in its Out of Eden Walk essay contest. The winner will go on an all-expenses paid hike in Central Asia later this year with journalist and National Geographic fellow Paul Salopek.

One member of every crew coming to Philmont this summer was eligible to enter the contest, which asked Scouts to use the principles of “slow journalism”

to write about walking or hiking experiences.

“Slow journalism means taking the time to observe and record things we might otherwise miss because we’re moving too fast,” said Mark Schulte, the Pulitzer Center’s education director.

Along with his partners at the Pulitzer Center, a nonprofit journalism organization based in Washington, DC, Salopek has called upon Philmont to join him in practicing slow journalism. For the second year, Scouts are using blank pages in their Passport Journals to record what they

observe along their hikes, sharing these journal entries periodically at their campfires.

This year, the Pulitzer Center sponsored the essay contest, which ran until June 1 and garnered dozens of entries. The winner will join Salopek on his walking route in Asia for a unique hiking experience along the Silk Road.

The ten runners-up will be featured in the PhilNews over the summer, and the winner will be announced in August. The runner-up essays can be read at pulitzercenter.org/philmont

The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting


THE PORCH RESTAURANT

DINNER

Thursday, Friday, Saturday 5pm-9pm

SUNDAY BRUNCH

10am-2pm

575-376-2228 Reservations Recommended

Cash or checks only.

Of all the beautiful spots in the Philmont backcountry, Fowler Mesa might just be the most beautiful.

This scenic mesa remains undeveloped with only one trail and one road leading across it. There are no camps and visitors do not stay long.

Unlike the rest of Philmont, human visitation is the exception and it makes this prime for wildlife viewing, meadow frolicking, and a mountain meditation. It’s a little out of the way, but make it a point to get out there and you won’t regret it.

To hike over Fowler Mesa is a very simple prospect. Hike out to Aguila Camp (be sure to take a moment to enjoy the view from campsite 4) and find the trail sign

that directs you up toward Fowler Mesa. Take the trail and soon you will be working your way up the back side of the mesa. Eventually, the trail will take you to the top and you will find yourself on the old road in the center of the mesa. Follow this road west and be sure to take your time.

Stay quiet and move slowly and you might get lucky and see elk grazing in the meadows along the road. Bring your Philmont Fieldguide along and spend some time identifying wildflowers.

Also, take the opportunity to enjoy some shade and cool mountain air before you rush back to the heat of the lower elevations. Eventually, the road will take you back to the main road through Fowler Pass. From this point, I’ll leave it up to you to decide where you want to go from here.

Caleb Burns Associate Chief Ranger

The Ranger Mile: Fowler Mesa

The pond on Fowler Mesa rests under a crisp blue sky. Caleb Burns/Ranger Department


Apache Springs offers a diverse variety of programs. The offered programs are centered around Native American themes. These activities include Tipi Tours, 3-Dimensional Archery, Sweat Lodges and the newly added Aerial Archery.

The Aerial Archery equipment was donated in 2014 and has been a huge hit.

“They love it, they have an absolute blast,” says Ryan Eggemeyer of the Scouts that have participated.

Aerial Archery works the same way that Skeet Shooting does,

except participants use bows and arrows and aim at large foam discs rather than clay skeets.

Groups of Scouts are supervised by Program Counselors who eject discs into the air as participants aim with bows and arrows.

The program is supposed to simulate hunting for birds, using similar tactics to those that the Jicarilla Apache would have used.

The Program Counselors received training from USA Archery instructors. Camp Director Imara Chew had prior archery experience, as did some of the staff.

“It’s not a requirement, but most people have experience,” said Chew.

The Aerial Archery program is a favorite among Scouts.

“I could do this all day,” said Austin Hirtzel of Kentucky.

The Crew, who hails from, Louisville, KY spent about an hour at the program, with two of their members hitting a target.

“It’s probably one of the most difficult things I’ve done in my life,” said Zach Hignite.

Each Crew member took turns, shooting as many as six arrows at a time.

“This is epic,” said Crew Leader Zach Long.

The Crew did not want to stop; they could not get enough of the program.

New program, same old awesomeSuzannah Evans Staff Writer

A direct hit of an arrow through a foam disc. Lex Selig/PhilNews

Austin Hirtzel draws back on a 25 lb. bow at Apache Springs before firing an arrow at a flying disc target on July 10, 2016. Ariel Archery is one of the more popular programs at Apache Springs where participants are able to challenge their skills with a bow and arrow. Lex Selig/PhilNews

Peter Schmidt, front, aims for the flying target that was just shot from the machine at the Aerial Archery Range at Apache Springs on July 10, 2016.Lex Selig/PhilNews

Our character and the brand of PhilmontMark Anderson Director of Program

Each day I have the opportunity to visit with crews that are coming off the trail and preparing to return home as well as read their written evaluations of their experiences. They continue to marvel at our staff.

They appreciate your enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment to the “Brand” of Philmont. They are also complimentary of the way that you

continue to work at an incredible pace to deliver a world class experience even when we have a full participant load and weather that is challenging; hot and dry, windy and dusty, and cold and wet.

Henry Ford said, “The key to success, in any line of endeavor, lies in service. Those who seek fame and fortune by any other route are always disappointed.”

During the start of the summer we had a chance to have a conversation about what Philmont stands for, what our Brand is. We

know that it is a special “pile of rocks”, rich in history, kindled by the legacy of Waite and Genevieve Phillips, connected to Scouting, and full of lifetime memories for all who visit it.

The final part of our Brand is each of you and the contribution you make to ensure that our entire ecosystem (the Philmont Experience) is interconnected and carefully balanced. This requires that we remain focused on what each of us can do to sustain the ecosystem so that it is centered on

satisfying every customer’s needs. What happens in one area affects every other area to one degree or another.

Every day, we have the opportunity to work at balancing the experience as we reacted to the various needs and emergencies. You can be proud of your efforts!

Theodore Roosevelt said, “I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do! That is Character!”

Roosevelt used additional words

to describe character like: honesty, decency, fair-dealing, common sense, courage, perseverance, self-reliance, and truthfulness.

I know that each of you has made a personal commitment to your legacy this summer. I hope that it includes a commitment to the presence of your “Character” in all transactions. By doing this we have the opportunity to work together in a balanced environment while continuing to deliver life changing experiences.


Get your

maps here!

TOOTH OF TIME TRADERS OFFICIAL STORE OF PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH RUGGED GEAR. PROVEN APPAREL. PHILMONT SOUVENIRS. OPEN 7 days a week Store & Snack Bar 7 am - 6:45 pm Snack Bar 8 pm-10 pm

SHOP ONLINE AT TOOTHOFTIMETRADERS.COM OFFICIAL ONLINE STORE OF PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH

Check out the New 3d Relief Map!

Summer Chapel services every

night7 p.m.

Held at Camping

Headquarters, the

following services are

offered:

Jewish, Catholic,

Protestant, and Church of

Jesus Christ of Latter-day

Saints.

With dramatic enthusiasm, Linda L. Knox read to the children of PTC participants at the Seton Memorial Library.

“Rag lay very still, but he could not sleep. He was wide awake and his bright eyes were taking in that part of his little green world that was straight above,” read Linda.

Linda was reading from The Storyteller, My Years with Ernest Thompson Seton, a book written by her mother, Leila Moss Knox, about her time with her uncle.

As Leila puts it in the prologue of her book, Seton was one of the founding members and was the first Chief Scout of the Boy Scouts

of America. “More than anything else,

however, my uncle was a mesmerizing storyteller,” writes Leila.

Leila’s books tells the story of how she had to move from Los Angeles to Santa Fe to live with her aunt and uncle because of health reasons. The book contains stories of her adventures with her uncle, whom she called “Granddaddy,” as well as excerpts from Seton’s stories.

Present at the book reading were many of Seton’s family members, including Michael Tyrrell who did the cover art. Tyrrell even took a turn reading, and had the children growl and put their hands up like cat claws.

After the story was finished, the children had the opportunity to color on a coloring page with animal tracks.

Leila wrote her book out of gratitude.

“I wrote this to thank my aunt and uncle for the three wonderful years they gave me,” said Leila. “It was a great adventure, and I have always cherished my memories of that time.”

Additionally, Leila wants more people to know about her uncle.

“The Scouts know who he is, but I want everyone to know who he is,” said Leila.

Seton was a naturalist and wrote the first Boy Scout Handbook.

Sharing the adventureSuzannah Evans Staff Writer

Children listen in wonder as Linda Knox reads from a book her family wrote about their ancestor Ernest Thompson Seton at Seton Memorial Library on July 15, 2016. Gabriel Scarlett/PhilNews

Linda Knox flips through the pages of her mother’s

book, The Storyteller, at Seton Memorial Library on July 15, 2016. Gabriel

Scarlett/PhilNews

Hayleigh Enoch works on an illustration following Linda Knox’s reading of the book she and her mother, Leila Knox, and her whole family worked on together. “It was areal family thing,” said Leila. “I have nine children and they all helped me with it.” Gabriel Scarlett/PhilNews


Games drawn by Cassidy Johnson

Last Week’s Answers


There may be no greater pleasure than walking into a shining bathroom and using a clean toilet after ten days of using Red Roofs and rocks to relieve yourself. Philmont’s Guest Services make that magic happen.

From patient rooms in the Infirmary to bathrooms all over Base Camp, they scrub, sanitize and make Philmont shine.

Guest Services create comfort for participants and staff alike through clean spaces, but they also keep participants healthy. Their first shift begins at 5:45 a.m., in the Infirmary. A large portion of their work is done here, where they sanitize nearly every inch of the building, daily. Walls are bleached. Patient’s bed mats are wiped down and beds are made. This keeps participants who have a physical ailment-- a broken toe or altitude sickness, from returning days later with symptoms of the flu.

“As weird as it is… I take pride in the work,” said Brian Bass. “We’re in the background, but by doing the work that we do, we keep a lot of people from getting sick.”

They’re also in charge of keeping kitchenettes and bathrooms in Philmont’s public spaces, like the Hardesty Casa Central and the Staff Fitness Center, clean and tidy. They also wash and sort all of the laundry used by departments all over the Ranch, from patient’s bed cloths to the rags used to wipe down the griddle at the Dining Hall.

There are a few Philmont secrets only a Guest Services staff member will know. Bass has a few of those, too-- among the prettiest views on the Ranch is the freshly mopped floor of the Hardesty Casa Central.

Bass has also found camaraderie within Guest Services. Early in the summer, he came into work on his days off, just to clean alongside his friends.

“Plain and simple, we’re cleaning toilets,” he said. “We’re cleaning walls. We’re making beds. The best part of the job is the people we work with.”

It’s an aspect of working at Philmont that he’s seen in other places on the Ranch.

“That’s how many jobs are at Philmont,” he said. “The job is a job. It’s work, but it’s the people you’re around. It’s the place that you’re at.”

Behind the scenes with Guest ServicesEleanor HasenbeckStaff Writer

Brian Bass makes the bed Friday, July 15, 2016 in a patient room at the Infirmary. Along with cleaning all the bathrooms in Base Camp, Bass and the housekeepers strip, sanitize and make each bed in the patient rooms. “It’s nice knowing you did something good, and did it well,” Bass said. Madelynne Scales/

PhilNewsBrian Bass fills up a mop bucket Friday, July 15 with water and pine sol in the infirmary. Bass and his fellow housekeepers begin cleaning the Infirmary every morning at 5:45 to prepare for the influx of patients throughout the day. Madelynne Scales/PhilNews

Brian Bass talks with Ayoko Condon Friday, July 15 after delivering supplies to the Infirmary. Bass and Condon begin cleaning early and are very careful to ensure every surface is clean before patients arrive. Madelynne Scales/PhilNews


Ranch Hands Connor Sroka and Will Korb work on getting saddles on the horses. Alex Cenci/PhilNews

Work Crew stands on the front porch of the guest cabin at Fish Camp after a 12- hour workday widening a section of trail. The group is working on a 10-day project in the South Country at many camps doing various projects at each stop along their itinerary. Lex Selig/PhilNews

Top Left: JP Stedwill works on map skills with his crew from Franklin, TN. Stedwill explains how UTMs are better than trail signs because they can’t be accidentally turned around. Clay Helfrick/PhilNews

Bottom Right: Mike Thomas, left, and Phil Winegardner, right, grab trail meals for their trek on Sunday, July 10, 2016 at Philmont Base Camp. Drew Castellaw/PhilNews

Liam Black and Mitch Afflick prepare for the night’s campfire show on July 13, 2016 while waiting for Advisor’s coffee to end. Clay Helfrick/Philnews

Top Right: Garrett Kierzek, from crew 702 P2, scratches the inside of Don Quixote’s ear, one of the burros at Abreu. Rodger Carter, PC at Abreu, was assisting the Scouts in putting the animals back in their corrals. Clay Helfrick/PhilNews

Bottom Left: At Fish Camp a group of participants learns how to use a fly fishing rod and tie their very own flies on July 10, 2016. The Phillip’s cabin was the family’s place of choice for fishing with its location in between two streams where many fish such as trout like to live. Lex Selig/PhilNews

clay helfrick/philnews a warm welcome - philmont scout … · clay helfrick/philnews. ... on july...

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