PAGE 1 SERVING BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD Summer 2020 COVID-19 Precautions Close Philmont for Summer Statement from Philmont Scout The Philmont staff has been relent- • Philmont Training Center, preference, please respond imme- or a future Summer season. Check Ranch, June 4, 2020. - It is with less in pursuing all options and will Family Adventure Camp Par- diately to the survey. the Philmont website for late sum- great disappointment that Philmont continue as Crews navigate reser- ticipants, and NAYLE partici- mer/early fall program opportuni- Scout Ranch announces the can- vation options. pants should have already We anticipate the rescheduling of ties. cellation of all remaining programs received a call to discuss Philmont reservations to either for the 2020 summer season. Due Key Points: rescheduling options or re- 2021 (limited availability) or 2022 Philmont Scout Ranch is commit- to last through June. Refunds will ted to Delivering Wilderness Ad- to the [New Mexico’s] Governor’s • The Reservation Contact and funds. be issued within 10-12 weeks. ventures that Last a Lifetime. PƧ COVID-19 guidelines, and the Lead Advisor for each crew • Staff have received communi- State of New Mexico Health De- should complete the survey cation from the Seasonal Per- Philmont will continue to pursue partment’s restrictions regarding sent to them after consulting sonnel office. more programming opportunities Summer 2021 travel, our efforts to secure a por- with their crew as the New Mexico State Health tion of the summer season were By completing the survey, the Ambassador • Philmont will waive the adult Philmont registrars will receive and Department guidelines allow. We denied. look forward to seeing you on the Seminars are to youth ratio (if YPT guide- prioritize your preferences. Priority June 20 to 26. The safety of our participants, staff lines are met) to accommo- in response will be given to crews trail in the coming Autumn, Winter, and community has been and will date Scouts who will “age out” who wish to transfer to another remain our top priority. by the time they are resched- High Adventure Base for Summer uled through 2022. 2020. If transferring is your first Promote Philmont Remotely Using On-Line Resources Perseverance, determination, in- using applications like Webex and Roundtable schedule for the com- ventiveness, and teamwork are Zoom as remote meeting have ing year because summer is when just a few of the lessons that a become the norm in workplaces Commissioners are putting togeth- Philmont Trek teaches participants. and institutions. Many Councils er their annual program. Golden trails await Ambassadors on the Autumn Adventure Trek. Resourcefulness, imagination, and Districts are using electronic leadership and cooperation are media to hold Roundtables that Ambassadors may have to learn lessons that Philmont Training can be attended by Scouters at some new skills such as how to Expect Special Surprises on Center attendees pick up from home. Although there is a loss of present on-line. Roundtable Com- their conferences. Ambassadors the personal touch that comes with missioners should be able to guide Ambassador -Only Fall Trek need to call upon all these skills to meeting face-to-face, the on-line them through some simple steps invent new ways to reach out to meetings have the advantage of to show slides or videos in a virtu- The core of Philmont is High Ad- and food outfitting. From Tuesday prospective Philmont attendees potentially reaching many more al meeting. venture. Many Ambassadors fell through Friday, the daily hike will when in-person presentations are Scouters who may not have at- in love with Philmont while on their be from 6 to 8 miles stopping at Some meeting platforms like Zoom first Trek as a Scout or Scouter. backcountry campsites for the not possible. tended previously because of have free access to set up person- schedule or travel limitations. Other Ambassadors may have night. Back at Camping HQ on Fortunately, people are now more al accounts. Using these, Ambas- only attended Philmont Training Friday, you can enjoy a museum familiar with on-line conferencing Now is the time to get on the sadors can arrange one-on-one or Center, yet still have the same tour, relax, or plan a group activity. unit presentations through an emotional bond with the Ranch. Who’s Who at Philmont email invitation. You need to “Be Many have looked over their Crew members must be BSA Prepared” by practicing ahead of shoulder at the Arrowhead and members and Ambassadors in Keith Nelson - Associate time through setting up a simulat- made the commitment to come good standing. They must meet ed meeting with a friend or col- back again. medical requirements and be Director of Camping league to become familiar with the physically capable of backpacking presenter controls on the screen. The 2020 Ambassador Autumn with gear and food for the 20 plus Duties at Philmont: Responsible for Autumn Adventure. Responsible for Your council may also have staff Adventure offers you that oppor- miles over the course of four days Backcountry Programs related to Mountain Biking, Mining/Geology, Search resources or on-line accounts that tunity to return to Philmont and and three nights in the backcoun- & Rescue, Astronomy, Commissary, Ambassadors can tap into. Con- experience the backcountry again try. They must also have a cur- Rock Climbing, Challenge Course, tact the media and IT specialists in or for the first time ever. rent Philmont Medical Form (Parts Fishing, Waite Phillips. your Council or District to find out A, B and C) with a doctor’s signa- Years at Philmont: 2.5 full time how. Autumn Adventures are special ture within twelve months of the Treks for those seeking to enjoy trek end date. Prior positions at Philmont: Range The Philmont Multimedia page has the beauty of Philmont during (2006), Conservation (2007), Logistics videos and photos that can be warm sunny days and cool nights “Be Prepared” to be surprised with (2010) used to liven up presentations. while hiking through golden as- special guests, food, and program Prior scouting positions: Northern Some scouts and leaders in your pens. Only Ambassadors in good along the way! area may also have put together a standing can attend a special Au- Tier - Full Time - Associate Director of Applications are due by July 15 Program; Associate Accountant. Sea- video about their Trek that could tumn Adventure from Sunday, be used with their permission. September 13 to Saturday, Sep- and include a non-refundable, non sonal - HR Specialist, OA Foreman, -transferable deposit of $150. PƧ Winter Guide, Wilderness Interpreter Even better, have one of their tember 19. The cost is only Scouts talk about their Trek to $450/person. Most memorable experience at prospective Crews. Click here for the Philmont: My first Trek in 2000 with many more to follow. The crew will be led by a Philmont Use Philmont lessons and imagi- Guide and will experience a typical Ambassador Most Humorous experience: As a Rayado participant when my crew lost nation to come up with other out- arrival routine on Monday, going Autumn Adventure our Rangers. PƧ reach methods to fill up Philmont through medical re-checks, equip- Application. for 2021 and 2022. PƧ ment shake-down, logistics, gear PAGE 2 PHILMONT AMBASSADOR UPDATE Summer 2020

Focus on the Backcountry Meet Homesteaders at Crooked Creek Elevation 9360 feet tours, candle making, wood split- porch, and homesteader bowling. Staffed Camp ting with an axe, cross-cut saws, Spring Water woodworking, horseshoe throwing, Nearby Camps Crooked Creek is a staffed camp relaxing in the meadow or on the Porcupine, Buck Creek, Cold in the southwest part of Philmont. Creek PƧ The camp is a re-creation of a post-Civil War homestead. Crooked Creek is one of two staff camps that are not accessible by roads. (Black Mountain is the HOmE* Sick? Visit Philmont Virtually! other.) Because of this, the staff You can watch a gurgling stream, hike to Lover’s Leap, visit the bison do not provide trash disposal or a meadow and walk the tracks at Metcalf Station on the new Philmont 360 food swap box for crews. Staff Videos . Using your computer you can pan, zoom, and get an all-round members have to pack their food view of the scenery. Check it out at www.philmontscoutranch.org/ in on burrows and carry water up mulmedia/videos/ (*HOmE = Heaven On Earth) from a spring that is a few hun- dred yards down the hill from Recruiting Crews camp. Program The homesteading program gener- Visiting crews get up close and personal with farm critters at Crooked Creek for 2022 Treks ally consists of: historic cabin Camp. (Philmont Photo) Scout programs will start up again first to register, nor is there a pen- in the fall, one way or another. alty for being the last. Summer is when many Troops Crews that were scheduled for 1862 Homestead Act Tamed and Venture Crews start planning 2020 will be given preference for their activities for their upcoming openings in 2021 and 2022, but year. Now is the best time to many slots will still be available plant the idea of a Philmont Ad- for new and returning Crews. the Wild West for Settlement venture so they get it on their Although the Civil War was still passed in 1860, but was vetoed by The 1862 Homestead Act expand- calendars. The most important thing is for going on in the early 1860s, the President Buchanan. ed on these laws by enabling set- Crews to be flexible in choosing Although the exact dates of the United States Congress realized tlers to buy up to 160 acres of their arrival date. The more dates that America’s future lay in the vast The concept that land ownership Federal land by meeting similar Philmont Lottery have yet to be that they are willing to accept, the and farming formed the basis of announced, it will certainly take amount of open lands to the West. provisions of living on and improv- more likely it is that they will get a Abraham Lincoln signed into law the American lifestyle went back to ing it. Because it was passed dur- place in October and November. slot. pre-Revolutionary times. However, There is no advantage to being PƧ the first Homestead Act on May 20, ing the Civil War, a provision pro- 1862. A similar bill had been there was an ongoing debate hibited those who fought against whether this was best achieved the United States from taking ad- HOmE on the Range through independent farmers or vantage of its generosity. wealthy plantation owners. Ulti- mately, Congress decided that Unfortunately, the act was framed Get Up Close and Personal With independent farmers would provide so ambiguously that it seemed to the best avenue for settling the invite fraud. Most of the land went Philmont’s Friendly Creatures country’s vast frontier lands. to speculators, cattlemen, miners, lumbermen and railroads. Contrary There were a few precedents for to popular myth, of the 500 million It’s not certain how the idea of the Homestead Act. The Preemp- having a live video conference with acres dispersed by General Land tion Act of 1841 permitted Office between 1862 and 1904, a Philmont critter first came up. “squatters” who were living on fed- “When cowfolk and IT people get only 80 million acres went to indi- eral government land to purchase vidual homesteaders. together, interesting ideas come up to 160 acres before it was put into play. We wanted to share up for sale to the public. However, Most of those who purchased land these awesome creatures with the squatter had to meet certain under the act came from areas Scouts and adults who may not be conditions such as being the head quite close to their new home- able to get out and experience of the household, being a citizen or steads. Iowans moved to Nebras- them. The idea may have been a an alien intending to be natural- ka, Minnesotans moved to South group effort,” explains Tanner ized, and be living on the land for Dakota, etc. Some did make the Lashinsky, Philmont’s IT manager. 14 months minimum. The new longer journey West following the Then again the idea may also have owner also had to reside on the various pioneer trails, including the come from one of the burros who land for five years and work to Santa Fe Trail which passed miss interacting with Scouts during improve it. If not, the government through Philmont. the summer. “We do have the could take the property back. Tanner Lashinsky hosts Zoom video meetings right from the corrals with In northern New Mexico, home- friendliest burros in all the land,” the Ranch’s friendly creatures. (Philmont Staff Photo) says Tanner. “They are the most Congress also passed the Land steading was complicated by the Claim Act of 1850 which gave set- fact that a large chunk of land was docile and fun friends to hang out a little spotty, so having patience and after about the first 5 trips into with.” tlers of the Oregon Territory up to not owned by the U.S. Govern- with the connection is a necessity. the burro pasture I noticed that a 320 acres for single men or 640 ment. It had previously been The new HOmE on the Range specific burro would come and acres for married couples free of granted by the Mexican Govern- “The best conferences are those hang around for scratches and program is a 10-minute live video with inquisitive guests,” explains charge, providing that they live on ment to Carlos Beaubien and Gua- group conference with the animal extra hay. After a few more of and improve the land. This law dalupe Miranda and was subse- Tanner, “Participants should bring these meetings we became better of your choice. It can be used as questions about the animal, was the first that allow a woman to quently owned by the Maxwell a great recruiting tool or a meeting and better friends. As I made an own land. The Act provided the Land Grand Company. The U.S. Philmont, or even the BSA in gen- attempt to leave, he would even suggestion to a Troop or Crew eral to best utilize the session.” If land free to settlers until 1854, and Supreme Court eventually decided interested in going to Philmont. It lean on the truck door to get more after that 160 acre parcels could be in favor of the Maxwell Company in you are helping hold a conference, attention or food. You often hear might also be a good suggestion you should have someone co-host purchased for $1.25/acre. As time 1887. for a young Scout’s video birthday how stubborn a burro is - they sure went on, the cost per acre went up so that they can mute/unmute peo- do live up to that. What you don’t Still, the allure of owning your own party or den meeting. ple and watch the chat screen for and the amount in each parcel hear about is how smart and went down. land and making a go of it in the Adding to the backcountry experi- comments and questions. friendly they can be as well. I look frontier was a powerful motivation ence, conferences are actually “I’ve made a special friend in the forward to spending time with them The act led to wagon trains of peo- for many adventurous families who streamed live from a Philmont pas- burro group,” says Tanner with a and may even sneak a carrot to ple along the Oregon Trail seeking headed West to find their future. ture. Computer links to the foothills smile. “As the host, I’ve been fortu- the friend that I’ve made.” a better life in the rich Willamette PƧ of Philmont’s backcountry may be valley. nate to conduct all of the meetings PƧ PAGE 3 PHILMONT AMBASSADOR UPDATE Summer 2020 Ambassador Profile Danielle Ballantine Talks Philmont to Everyone She Meets Danielle Ballantine has a mantra: Road,” explains Danielle. to update them on what’s going on “Philmont is for everyone.” She today. Then I make sure they take repeats it often, whether at a Cub She discovered that most leaders materials with them to look at lat- Scout Pow Wow, Order of the knew about Treks, but many didn’t er.” Arrow event, Commissioner’s Col- know about all the other programs lege, Wood Badge course or Uni- Philmont offers. Through her posi- Danielle is in the National Capital versity of Scouting. tion on her Council’s Training Area Council which is one of the Team, she soon found ways to larger ones in the country. It has After her first Philmont Training spread the word about PTC. 21 districts spanning two states Center (PTC) experience in 2009, along with the U.S. Virgin Islands she came home and told everyone She has developed a good method and serves over 30,000 Scouts. that they didn’t have to be a youth of approaching Scouters. “When I Together with Danielle’s good to come to Philmont, and she first talk to a Leader about friend Julia Mae-Shen and the shared with them her incredible Philmont, it’s important to find a Council’s VP of Operations Arden experience at PTC. connection. For those unfamiliar Dougan, the three make a good with it, I talk about Treks with team coordinating their efforts and “I am a Cubmaster, so I especially Troop and Venturing Leaders and promoting Philmont at larger like to promote PTC and the Fam- PTC if they are a Pack Leader, events. Danielle Ballantine (Right) and Julia Mae-Shen (Left) always have the ily Adventure Camp program. Commissioner, or Council Leader. right handouts for prospective Philmont attendees. (Photo by Leaders are so often surprised to If they are familiar with Philmont, I Julia herself is a great Ambassa- Danielle Ballantine) hear about the Other Side of the ask about their experience and try dor having taught numerous times at Philmont. She is a 2020 Silver She has an answer for just about bassador seminar takes place. Buffalo recipient (and this year's everything. “I am never caught off Julia Lesko and I had hoped to go only woman so recognized). She guard when someone says that it this year, but the pandemic thwart- also currently serves in National would be too expensive or that it ed those plans!” would be too far to travel. I’m and Northeast Region Wood In the meantime, Danielle has a Badge coordinator roles. prepared instead to offer options for ways they can get there. When reputation for being able to talk Even with such great help, be- a leader says that their troop could about Philmont wherever and cause of the size of the Council never get the money together, I whenever she goes. and the fact that all three Ambas- talk about long-term planning.” “My family traveled to Ireland in sadors are so involved in several “When I give a presentation,” mus- May 2019. As we were standing scout roles, getting to all the dis- in line in the airport to check our tricts is a challenge for them. es Danielle, “it brings back all the wonderful memories and makes bags, I had my favorite Philmont The 1800 mile distance from me want to return for yet another water bottle. The young woman Washington, DC to Cimarron is wonderful experience. When I ahead of me said, ‘Is that a also a challenge to many people in meet another leader who attended Philmont logo?’ Then she ex- her area. “Being on the east as a youth or maybe served on plained that she had once worked coast, many leaders see the cost staff, it’s so fun to hear about their at PTC . associated with getting to Philmont experience and then talk about “She shared about her experi- with their scouts or family as pro- ways that they can return with their ence, and I talked about mine at hibitive. My experience helps own family or how they should PTC and my position now as an them understand the profound plan to take a crew on a trek.” Ambassador. I caught her up on impact it has on anyone who’s Danielle is looking forward to the the recent news, especially the fire been there and recognize its of 2018. As we went our separate worth. I try to compare it to the time when she can attend the Am- bassador seminar. However, she ways, my daughter said to my cost of going on a vacation to Dis- husband, ‘Leave it to Mom to find neyworld or another country. Then does return to Philmont frequently. “Unfortunately, for the past few someone in a major airport to talk I describe all the incredible ways to about Philmont!’” that a Philmont experience is so years I have been serving on fac- much better.” ulty the same week that the Am- PS

Philmont Ambassador Newsleer Big Philmont Sectional Editor: Tom Baltutis Maps Available Soon [email protected] Jim Ellis (National Coordinator) Stephen Duke has been working again with Philmont cartographers to come [email protected] up with sectional maps of the Ranch. Two versions will cover the North and Rob Welander (Central Region) South Countries. They will include the areas affected by the 2018 fires. [email protected] Stephen is fine-tuning the maps, and details for ordering them will be made available when the project is completed. (Photo by Stephen Duke) Pad Wrath (Western Region) pat- PS [email protected] GW Bell (Southern Region) Moving On [email protected] Dave Lyons (Northeast Region) [email protected] This newsletter is published quarter- Weagraff, Cohen,Yelk Earn ly for the benefit of Philmont Am- bassadors in the spirit of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Every effort is First Level 2 Recognitions made to provide accurate and com- plete information. However, the Congratulations to Robert Weagraff, Mitch Cohen, and Paul Yelk who newsletter publisher does not guar- are the first Ambassadors to achieve the Level 2 Ambassador Recognition. antee that there will be no errors, The award requires serving as an Ambassador for two years, performing nor does it make claims, promises 12 presentations at Scout events, achieving the Masters Track Knot, and or guarantees about the accuracy, Dominic Baima and Caroline Miller have left Philmont for completeness, or adequacy of the new opportunities. Dominic was the Philmont Marketing attending or being on faculty at an Ambassador I conference. contents of the newsletter and ex- Manager and is moving to Eastern Illinois University as All Ambassadors are encouraged to be recognized for their work. The pressly disclaims liability for errors Social Medial Coordinator. Caroline was the Philmont application for can be found under Important Links at https:// and omissions in the contents of Training Center Program Assistant and will be working at this newsletter. Scout’s Honor! Dinosaur Valley State Park in Texas. We wish them well! www.philmontscoutranch.org/resources/promotephilmont/ambassador- resources/ PƧ PAGE 4 PHILMONT AMBASSADOR UPDATE Summer 2020

Re-living life the in old west on a six-day Cavalcade was a popular activity when programs were first being developed to appeal to adventuresome Scouts. ( Philmont archive photo.) Crews Chose Own Routes, Programs on Early Adventures In the early years, after Waite and The following year, Rhea and leg- Genevieve’s 1938 and 1941 gifts, endary campcraft instructor Doc Philmont haltingly began with a Loomis started another now- smattering of programs and at standard Phimont practice - send- times none at all. When the Phil- ing a staff member “ranger” out turn Rockymountain Scoutcamp with a crew for the trek’s first six hosted its first visitors in 1939, the days to offer advice and ensure groups of senior Scouts (minimum the Scouts were equipped to nego- age was 15 years) were allowed to tiate the terrain on the own for the make their own itineraries. They final six days. The time a ranger could backpack during their entire spend on the trail was whittled trip, mix in horse and burro pack- down to four days in 1960, then to ing activities, and even take side two in 1962; today it is three, with day-trips to regional attractions, two on the trail. such as the Taos Pueblo or the Capulin Volcano. The early twelve-day treks served Philmont and its visiting Scouts After Philturn became Philmont well, but the system was not per- If was built at Philmont - be it a cabin or trail - chances are youth have lent a helping hand. (Philmont Museum archive photo.) and World War II ended, Early crews left their mark at fect. Bottlenecks would develop at Philmont’s Senior Training program Philmont like these carved certain camps as crews would blossomed, and the activities it benches and totems at choose their own itineraries and offered became the precursor to Cimarroncito Camp. (Photo by because Philmont’s growing popu- the twelve-day treks among back- Tom Baltutis.) larity increased trail traffic. Into the country camps with their themed 1960s, 400 campers could be programs. Senior Training, which techniques) and the Ranch Pio- found on Cimarroncito on a given aimed to teach older Scouts out- neering Trek (thirty days, much like night. Beaubien, with the 1965 door skills they could share with the Service Corps). flood having washed away many their home troops, taught its partic- campsites at Fish Camp, would ipants during their first week skills Philmont, with its unique outdoor see a crowed of 300. Additionally, such as horsemanship, nature programs, was a hit. By the mid- crew-planned itineraries often re- study, cooking, packing, marks- 1950’s summer attendance had sulted in logistical headaches, manship, and others. A second grown from the mere hundreds of including poorly-thought-out food week was split between burro the first few years to about 8,000. drops, bad sequences of camps packing and backpacking. That volume of Scouts started to with no water or no facilities, and ill create logistical difficulties with the -timed bus transportation. Other early “schedules” instituted existing lineup of schedules. Jack under Camping Director George Rhea, who took over as Camping In 1968, a record 18,648 Scouts Bullock included the Wagon Train Director in 1954, made a big flocked to Philmont, tipping the program (much the same as Sen- change in 1956. He standardized scales. The next summer ior Training, but a full twenty-three all prior programs in the trek sys- Philmont implemented pre-planned days), the Service Corps (two tem still used today – the twelve- itineraries, where the Scout Ranch weeks of trail building and conser- day High Adventure Expedition dictated routes from which visiting vation projects), the Cavalcade (six that allows crews to pick the ter- crews could choose. The added days on horseback), the Kit Car- rain they cross and the activities organization and traffic control son Trek (all backpacking, and found at chosen camps. That have allowed Philmont to host an climbing of Philmont’s highest five summer, Philmont attendance average of 17,275 trekkers since peaks), the Junior Leader Training topped 10,000 for the first time. the change was adopted. Attend- Troop (a month learning teaching ance has been more than 20,000 each summer since 2002, includ- ing a record 23,325 in 2012. “We must change boys from a [Editor’s note. In 2019, a record 24,000 hiked the backcountry.] ‘what can I get’ to a ‘what can I Excerpt from A Million Miracles give’ attitude.” by David Mullings, (c) Philmont Scout Ranch, 2014, which is - available at Tooth of Time Trad- Philmont Crews could get advice from the first Scout Field Book written in Robert Baden Powell ers. 1948 by James West and William Hillcourt which illustrated backpacking equipment and techniques.