As the sun sank below the Tooth of Time on the evening of May 29th, and seasonal staff gathered for Philmont’s opening Campfire, Julie Phillips Puckett, granddaughter of Waite Phillips, received the Silver Sage Award for her dedication to serving Philmont.  

As the daughter of Virginia and Elliott “Chope” Phillips, the first recipients of the award in 2005, she sees the distinction as more than just recognition for her hard work. It is an acknowledgment of her continuation of her family’s legacy of supporting and donating to Philmont. A legacy which started 88 years ago with the dedication of the Philmont Ranch by her grandfather, Waite Phillips, to the Boy Scouts of America. 

For Puckett, growing up on a working cattle ranch, frequently visiting Philmont as a kid, and attending Cimarroncita girls’ camp for 11 summers as a teenager sparked her “love of the land and the love of the area.”  

“I was just stunned; I had no idea,” she said after the Philmont Staff Association announced the award. Calling it a “really great honor.” She expressed her gratitude because to her Philmont is something she lives and breathes.  

An exceptional honor, given only to those who represent Philmont’s values, showcasing the hard work and dedication of an individual or organization towards the long-term and lasting impact for the betterment of Philmont  

The Silver Sage award is among the PSA’s highest honors, given only to those who have left a lasting impact on Philmont and helped carry its mission – ‘Change Lives’ – forward for future generations of scouts.  

Danielle Ballentine, Communication and Marketing Manager from the Philmont Staff Association, described the Silver Sage recipient as someone who has made a “significant impact on Philmont in some special way.”  

Operations Manager of the PSA, Sandra White, said the award is about “giving back to Philmont in a variety of ways… raising money or providing service,” which is exactly what Puckett has done.  

For over two decades, Puckett has served as an advisor to Philmont, worked as a member of the Philmont Ranch Committee, and served as Co-Founder of the Casting for Recovery Program, which helps breast cancer survivors. In addition to her philanthropic work through the Waite and Genevieve Phillips Foundation, she has donated sizable grants that sustain multiple projects across Philmont. 

Puckett’s distinction also comes from diligently leading restoration efforts at Villa Philmonte as the Villa turns 100 in 2027. “I wanted to keep it as traditional as we could,” said Puckett. The integrity of the building and its traditional accuracy is very important to her, and something she takes great pride in.  

To Puckett, it’s simple; “service is a family legacy and is something now my generation is the caretaker of,” she said, expressing what her time working with Philmont meant to her.  “Waite would be astonished that there have been over a million Scouts to come through here.”  

There is no doubt Puckett is a lifelong public servant to the development of Philmont and the Phillips family name. However, Julie Phillips Puckett is not just the granddaughter of the late Waite Phillips but someone who has consistently shown up and dedicated her life to advancing Philmont, blazing her own path.