This summer, Santa Claus Backcountry camp is outfitted with 14 campsites, a refurbished staff cabin, a reloading cabin and a shooting range
Month: June 2019
Facing the unexpected
When crew 620-RM1 came to Philmont, they were strangers. In just 24 hours they would embark on the journey of a lifetime together— a 20-day Rayado trek.
Philmont hosts first Family Adventure Camp
Photographed by Gabe Jackson. From the peak of Baldy to the meadows of Carson, the Backcountry has enchanted over a million Scouts and lingers in the hearts of many. Now, Philmont is offering a way for past participants and Scouters to experience the Backcountry. Those looking to relive their Philmont experience or see the […]
Scouting museum sees record visits after 2018 fire
In the summer of 2018, the BSA celebrated the opening of the National Scouting Museum just across the road from Philmont’s headquarters. The museum has moved several times over the course of its life, most recently from Irving, Texas. Unfortunately, due to the Ute Park Fire, the museum hasn’t been able to welcome a full […]
Metcalf welcomes first female staff members
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQj2Kl2Cqg0&t=10s Video by Zoe Hambley. Editor’s Note: Philmont’s busiest season ever is in full swing. A record number of participants and seasonal staff are coming to the ranch this summer and new milestones are being reached. Three staff camps have female Program Counselors for the first time ever this year: Metcalf Station, Crater Lake and […]
Garden of opportunity
Photographed by Curtis Waidley. One set of hands rakes fallen cacti and weeds into piles as the sun slowly sinks. Another fills trash bags with debris. They work for about five minutes in perfect tandem‒ as if they’ve known each other for some time. The hands belong to Margaret and William Pearson, who have been […]
Crew 608-AA comes HOmE
Photographed by Chris Langlois. It was only a few days before their 2018 trek when crew 608-AA received the call: Philmont was closed for the summer. “I wasn’t sure how excited I was [for the trek] last year until we got the call that said, ‘We’re canceling,’” Chad Brockermeyer, one of the crew’s adult leaders, […]
History comes to life at Philmont staff camps
Photographed by Sherry Hamilton. Rayado staff camp came alive with laughter and song when over a hundred Philmont staffers came for specialty training on June 2. Each camp worked to improve their acting skills by expanding their historical knowledge and learning more about program activities for visitors. Philmont brought in historical experts and actors to […]
Yurt building at Valle Vidal
Photographed by Monica Dunn. As a caravan of Philburbans and commissary trucks crawled up the road toward Seally Canyon, the excitement was palpable. “We’re home!” yelled one staff member, jumping out of the vehicle and running over to hug another staffer when the vehicles came to their final stop. The group assembled in the Valle […]
PSA awards General David L. Goldfein Distinguished Staff Alumni Award
Gen. Goldfein addresses Philmont staff ahead of the 2019 summer season. Goldfein said his experience working as a ranger at Philmont and his time spent traveling around the country helped prepare him to embrace leadership and service. Photographed by Ryan Soldanels. The Philmont Staff Association recently honored its 2019 Distinguished Staff Alumni: Gen. David L. […]