hil ews June 29th, 2018 P N Issue Three

Voices from the Valle: Green Battalion Sounds Off Mark Cordeiro that we were out here for four Staff Writer days cutting down trees, but we’re doing it so that there will still be a One of the first major Philmont to enjoy. deployments of the Philmont Recovery Corps Project took place Haley Otto: It’s a lot different. from June 10th to June 14th in the My job normally wouldn’t be this Carson National Forest’s Valle physically demanding, but I’m Vidal. Tasked with Timber Stand really enjoying it because I’ve Improvement, about 152 Philmont always wanted to do Conservation, staff worked 8 hour days in the but never thought I’d be strong forests to prevent future fires. enough to do it. So, it’s pretty cool PhilNews caught up with three that I get to be out here for a week of Green Battalion’s women who at a time and experience what it were hard at work on their fourth would be like in Conservation that day in the field. whole time without it being my whole summer. So, you know, I What were you expecting out dig it. of this year working on Philmont The first two days, we were Staff, and how does what you’re doing TSI, which is cutting down doing now compare to that? trees, and then yesterday and today, we’ve been taking out all of Arizona Duff: I was expecting the weeds and underbrush as best a lot of interpretation, reenacting, we can from the meadow area over and that was a lot of the training by Crystal Creek. We’ve also been Arizona Duff, a Program Counselor and member of the Green Battalion, works on timber stand we did before the fire. When the taking out invasive species as we improvement while in the . Alex Zarynow/MPS Photographer fire broke out, I honestly never find them so the native plants can saw myself working out, felling grow. trees. I’ve never even cut down I actually didn’t know what we a tree before besides my family would actually be doing when I Christmas tree. I think today, I’ve first got assigned here! I had less Revitalizing the Villa done 16 or 17? So, it’s definitely Mark Cordeiro Kevin Becker, the curator of the Philmonte was poured around 92 than 24 hours’ notice, I only found Ville Philmonte, was out with the years ago with concrete that isn’t not what I was expecting, but, out the day before. I was kind of Staff Writer especially with the tree felling, it’s staff on June 15th, picking weeds. as effective as modern concrete. just like “Oh, okay!” While hundreds of Philmont Several other staff members By updating the foundation, clear to see why we’re out here. staff are working hard to repair So, I think that as far as worked around him, repairing a Becker hopes to mitigate any Tek Kriedler: This is SO much and restore the parts of Philmont’s fountain or digging up areas of the future water damage from the comparing, it’s a lot more manual better than I expected. They didn’t Backcountry that were affected by labor than I was anticipating, but garden that needed to be repaired. irrigation systems to the inside of really give us a lot of information the Ute Park Fire, staff members “My plan was to do this in the the Villa. I think the value and the work are because a lot of things were just are pulling their weight in Base something I’m glad to contribute fall with some hired seasonal “Some Departments have been moving parts and a lot of people Camp too. At the Villa Philmonte, staff. Now, however, we have kind enough to offer up their and want to put my time and seeing where they needed us most. about a dozen staff members from energy into. It’s more of a behind- some staff that aren’t able to staff to help with these projects, We’d talked in the Conservation various departments, including do their normal duties until the and we’re incredibly grateful,” the-scenes approach than being the Traders, department about how we’d be Ranch reopens. With this project, Becker went on to say. a Program Counselor or being doing a lot of TSI but we didn’t Logistics and Villa Tour Staff, a Ranger with that one-on-one we’re able to keep them working Becker expressed his thanks know a lot about when we’d end have worked to waterproof the and get ahead of schedule.” for those volunteers that were interaction, but what we’re doing up doing that, or even where or Villa’s foundations and preserve is still for the participants. They Becker explained. Continued on page 4 the building for decades to come. Continued on page 3 don’t see it, they may never know The foundation for the Villa 2 | PhilNews PhilmontScoutRanch.org If I Forget You, O Jerusalem :םִָלָׁשּורְי ְךֵחָּכְׁשֶא-םִא Reflections on Summers Unexpected Rabbi Geoff Solomon brilliantly in the darkness. On Israeli soldiers, some killed, some before I go in – cell phones don’t clear that those who wished to Jewish Chaplain Monday classes would begin. captured by Hezbollah. Local and work in the shelters. I won’t be stay – their jobs were assured, overseas students both express able to speak with her again until we would be vital to the future Thursday, 6 July 2006 Thursday, 24 May 2018 some anxiety - we are quite close Sunday morning, just before we of Philmont; but those who The El Al plane swept through I have finished my long (1,771 to the border with Lebanon. get on the busses for Jerusalem. wished to leave Philmont early the air above the Mediterranean miles, but who’s counting…) and return to their homes could Sea, its waters mirroring the sky, drive from Florida to Philmont. Thursday, 13 July 2006 Sunday, 16 July. We arrive do so – Philmont would assist, to merge, blending as I turned The last leg, after an overnight Artillery shells and rockets in Jerusalem and are housed in and it would be no black mark on to watch behind me, even while in Amarillo, brought me through begin to rain down on Haifa. unused dorms at the old campus their record for the future. Some we finished our descent into mile upon mile of seamless scrub I watch as the rockets strike of Hebrew University on Har would say to me, in the coming Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport. and pine covered land, each acre the city below me. I set up my HaTsofim. Unused, apparently, days, “I didn’t come to Philmont The air was clear and dry. I was blending into the next, until I saw camera to take a new picture, but for the last 30 years. Dank and for this. I didn’t come to clean home again, if only for part of the the Tooth poke up before me. I framing the same cityscape. My dark, we feel like we’re back in bathrooms or paint walls or cut summer. I hired a car to take me was home again, even if only for hopes are that I can catch a rocket the time of the Ottomans. But we timber. I didn’t come to deal with north, to Haifa University, where part of the summer. This year, I strike and explosion, to juxtapose are still here, still in Jerusalem. fires. I’m going home.” I was to study until September. was to be at Philmont only until it with the nightscape still I had By now we’re are just a few of the All the while my heart was My campus apartment on Mount July 1st. captured. I never get the chance, 250,000 refugees who’ve already crying out, “Leave? I don’t Carmel was a bit rough, but had a I moved my Suburban’s load as MP’s have begun herding all been evacuated from the north. understand! Don’t make me stunning view of Haifa, especially of gear into my dorm, visited the oversees students into bomb But we’re here, in Jerusalem, our leave!” I changed my departure the nightscape. Registration and Re-Check, then shelters – the local students work before us. date from July to August. I would Preparations for the Shabbat spent the rest of the day cleaning having been sent home to find see this unexpected Philmont meals were simplicity itself – a bus and organizing. Preparations refuge in their family’s built-in Thursday, 31 May 2018 adventure through. ride to the shuk (open air market) for Shabbath were easy – what I shelters. Rachel has gone home on where everything needed for the did not already prepare, my wife Monday. All the staff have Sunday, 17 June 2018 traditional Shabbat observance Rachel brought with her, when Friday, 14 July 2006 been training and preparing for We’ve all lived these two was easily obtainable from she came up from Albuquerque After spending the night in the advent of the season. Early intervening weeks of worry and small folding tables overseen by the next morning, where she and the bomb shelters, the overseas afternoon and I am in Commissary work. It was Thursday last, charming old ladies who looked our son Ben had flown in. Friday students are gathered in a when staff begin to talk of a fire Shabbath preparations complete, exactly like one’s grandmother. night dinner with old friends conference hall. The director of near ‘Cito. I step outside and see and I am speaking with Rachel, The gefilte fish still had the bones in the Phillel completed my oversees studies informs us of the a small column of smoke. who is in Florida. She had picked ground up in it, though. Maybe a transition to the Philmont state casualties amongst civilians and By 8 p.m. it is no longer a small up one of our Cub Scouts from little too authentic. of mind. Sunday would be a hike the continuing bombardment of column, but rather huge billowing day camp and had spoken to the Shabbath dinner that Friday up the Tooth. Monday training the border towns. We are given clouds that swept through the air, camp director there. Of course, night, with new friends and old would begin. a choice – overseas students the setting sun casting a reddish the camp director, as was true classmates. Sunday night I set my may be sent to Tel Aviv to return glow on their tops, mirrored by of everyone back in our home camera up for a long exposure, Wednesday, 12 July 2006 home as soon as possible. Those a glow beneath that bespeaks council, true of everyone in capturing the iconic Haifa cooling Rumors in the cafeteria speak wishing to stay will be evacuated only of uncertainty. I snap that BSA, was aware of what had towers – long defunct, but lit about rockets fired from Lebanon, on Sunday, after the Shabbath, to photo – I now have one more occurred and was still occurring Jerusalem. No – we don’t know documentary photograph. Friday at Philmont. We had their worry, yet where you’ll stay. No – we morning comes with Base filled their prayers, their support. But don’t know yet when or if classes with smoke. By late morning the they were so far away. will resume. We will send some flames were visible. By 3 we were It struck me then. “Rachel,” I instructors and borrow some from evacuating, on our way to what said, “remember that summer in Hebrew University. would become Springer Break. Haifa – the missiles, the Lebanese The debrief over, we confer I said goodbye to Rachel as the war, the evacuations?” amongst ourselves. We are evacuees sought shelter. Then in “It is the same as now – but it is frightened, uncertain, anxious, Springer, Shabbath dinner with Philmont that is BSA’s Jerusalem, angry. Some say, “I came here old friends and new. Philmont BSA’s heart. The people here to study, not to be caught in a East – but our time in Springer could no more abandon Philmont war zone. I’m going home.” brought staff together as a family to the flames than we could flee Most of us are of the mind to faster than ever before. Israel from before the rockets. say rather, “Yes, I came here to The rebuilding of Philmont too, is study. But more so – I came here Sunday, 3 June 2018 G-d’s work. to be in Israel. Haifa? Jerusalem? After a return to Philmont, If I forget you, O Jerusalem, Studying? Working? No matter – accomplished with an efficiency let my right hand forget her just don’t make me leave.” Friday that would make any outfit proud, strength…if I remember you not. afternoon we enter the shelters we were gathered for general and (Ps.137) The nightscape in Haifa, Israel in 2006, during the Second Lebanese again. Steel rooms encased in break-out meetings. During the War. Rabbi Geoff Solomon/Jewish Chaplain concrete. I say goodbye to Rachel break-out I attended, it was made PhilmontScoutRanch.org PhilmontScoutRanch.org PhilNews | 3

Outfitting Helps Outfit Local School Marketing and Mark Cordeiro of achievement and performance. Staff Writer “We’ve been an ‘A’ ranked school for several years now, and I Photo Team On June 14th, members of just attribute that to our team. We Philmont’s Outfitting Service all work hard to make sure our kids Department took a quick trip are getting what they need,” Salas MPS Manager over to the village of Cimarron’s explained. Imara Chew elementary and middle school When asked why Marie Salas to volunteer their time helping reached out to Philmont for aid, teachers move in to a new building. she cited her own history with the Marie Salas, Cimarron’s 2nd grade PhilNews Editor Ranch. Her grandparents used to Elizabeth Harper teacher, was ready to meet them be cooks in the Villa Philmonte’s and explain why the school needed kitchen. Her parents worked with Outfitting’s help. Philmont’s commissary and her PhilNews Writers “The building that we were in brother worked there for years as was built in, I believe, the 1960’s. well. She also did a few years on Mark Cordeiro Of course, during that time, lead Philmont’s staff in her early years, Michael W. Michelsen, Jr. and asbestos were used in buildings. so its safe to say that Salas knows Though it’s been contained, the the Philmont staff well. building was also damaged in an “Philmont’s always helped us. Photography earthquake in the early 1990’s. They’ve been a great part of our Managers With those factors in mind, and community,” Salas shared. “I know with the State generally wanting Philmont’s people, and I know Clay Helfrick to downsize buildings everywhere, how ready they are to help our Shane Mrozek we had some funding to do some community. We want to support renovations,” Salas said them too.” This area of the building This commitment was shared Alexa Franks and Jake Gillette give back to the community of Photographers previously stood abandoned, by Carter Smith, the Outfitting Cimarron by helping teachers at Cimarron Elementary School consisting of old, unused Nick Castelli Services Manager that led the move in to their new building. Many projects like this have taken classrooms and storage rooms. Whitney Dumford volunteers sent to the School. place in the past few weeks as Philmont awaits the start of Salas’ new classroom used to be “Working with different people participant arrivals. Whitney Dumford/MPS Photographer Jess McClelland a locker room, though it would be is fun and a good way to give back Thomas Meade almost impossible to tell due to the to the community,” Carter said. Smith and his half-dozen process of moving up significantly extensive renovations. Cimarron’s “Instead of just doing Philmont volunteers spent hours at the and helping the school in their time Ryan Soldanels Elementary and Middle School has stuff, we have an opportunity to school, moving tables, chairs, and a of need. Alex Zarynow been long overdue for an upgrade, lend them help in a unique way.” variety of other designated objects as evidenced by its incredible level between the buildings, speeding the Lead Marketing Specialist Revitalizing the Villa continued Liam Inbody Continued from page 1 season is hard work, and assigned to aid his project. Chris waterproofing the foundations Graphic Designer Westwood, a first year Villa Tour of the building requires a 6ft Dally Clark Guide, echoed his statement. deep trench to be dug to the “A few of us were doing the bottom of the foundation to repairs yesterday by ourselves, complete the work. Videographers and it was some pretty hard work. “We’ve got a few more It’s nice having a bunch of hands projects coming up, like some to Ian Chamberlin around to help us out,” Westwood repair the fountains around and Blake Ellis said. some to spruce up the exhibits Harry Oakes Westwood and much of the other and gallery,” Westwood said, Villa Philmonte staff have been eager to begin. occupied with their studies of the “Anyone that wants to museum and haven’t gotten a lot come help is welcome,” Kevin of time to get out and work the Becker said. He encouraged grounds. Now, many of them are any department that have staff excited to actually help maintain to spare to look into helping the their buildings and grounds with ongoing maintenance projects the others. being undertaken by the Villa Quinn Calendine removes stumps from around the foundation of the Prepping the Villa for monsoon staff. Villa courtyard. Jess McClelland/MPS Photographer 4 | PhilNews PhilmontScoutRanch.org Voices from the Valle cont. Continued from page 1 summer?” Haley Otto: I didn’t evern really think about leaving. I love Philmont how. Arizona Duff: I definitely had a too much. I’d rather be here, doing After working in the Ranger moment where I thought, “Alright, things to help the Ranch and get it Department for three years, so what capacity am I going to ready for participants faster than which I had a total blast in and fill at Philmont? How am I going being somewhere else and not learned so much from, one of to be contributing?” but never having any control over the work the things I learned was how this thought about leaving for good. As being done here. ranch operates. The Conservation soon as the Managers said, “We Department does so much work need people with talents; we need Tek Kriedler: Absolutely not. I behind the scenes to keep the leaders.” I knew that I wouldn’t have so many friends who couldn’t Ranch going smoothly. Like, the leave. I think as soon as that idea make it out this year, and so I was Ute Park Fire? One of the major of “We have so much work to do” even more excited to come out reasons it didn’t burn into the south came around, that’s when I knew I and help because I got a lot of country and didn’t burn sites like should stay. This job might not be messages and calls from people Clark’s Fork and Cito is because what I was expecting, and I may be saying that they were scared for of the TSI that the Conservation a little more tired at the end of the the Ranch and how uncertain they Department has done in that area day than I thought I’d be, but this were about what the summer was to thin out the trees and prevent is what I came here for. I came here going to look like and what they’d toe fire from turning into a crown to offer something to Philmont. be doing, and I was so excited to fire. After those three years, I There’s this phrase, something get here and help however I could. decided that I wanted to give like “You come to Philmont I figured that if there was a huge back to the Ranch and give other for one of two reasons: either fire, then probably the first kind individuals the chance to have as because Philmont has something of work that we’d be able to do great an experience in the Ranger to offer you, or because you have would be Conservation work, so I Department as I had. So, now, I get something to offer Philmont.” This was more than stoked to come out to do the Conservation work as a summer, I thought I’d be offering here. “Thank You” to Philmont. my interpretation and music skills at Cypher’s Mine, but when the What’re you looking forward Did you ever have a moment rug is yanked out from under you to in these next couple weeks of after hearing that the Ranch was like this, you’ve got to find that work before operations resume Tyler Wertz, a Program Counselor at Black Mountain, carries a pushing back its opening that other thing you can contribute. like normal? felled tree while doing Timber Stand Improvement at Ring Place. you thought “Maybe I should go Alex Zarynow/MPS Photographer and try to do something else this Arizona Duff: That personal to serve Philmont however I can. feeling of persevering through all the hardships is something that I’m Tek Kriedler: I think looking forward to. I think that it’ll Conservation’s plans will change be really interesting to see what due to the fire, but there’s always we’ll be able to do in the burn area Cons work to be done. Now that once we get in there, too. Like, we have tangible proof that TSI we’re not even in Philmont, we’re works out here at fire prevention, out in the Valle Vidal, the Carson we’ll be doing a lot more TSI. National Forest. It’s really cool that It’d be really cool if my project we can do this for our neighbors coming up becomes teaching TSI, while also protecting ourselves, but using handsaws of course. For the I think I’m really looking forward rest of the summer, though, I’m to being on Philmont and looking really excited to get a chainsaw in at those trails that I hiked and my hands and get completely field those places I saw as a participant trained so I can be more effective and start the healing process there. at helping heal the Ranch. So, I’m looking forward to piecing together and finding out what we By the end of their 5 day can do on Philmont this summer shift in the Valle Vidal, Green and prepare, protect and preserve Battalion estimates that they put these places that we know so much in over 6,000 man-hours of fire and love. prevention and conservation work for the Carson National Forest. Haley Otto: Honestly, I’m not Green, Red, and Tan Battalions During a Timber Stand Improvement project on June 15, 2018, Gillian Suhre, Forestry Work Crew sure what we’ll be doing, I think will be working in the Philmont Foreman, works on some logging, taking felled trees from the fire block build and breaking them down we’re doing projects around Backcountry in the coming weeks base and in the backcountry, but to heal the fire area and prepare into firewood to be used in future campfires and wood burning stoves in the backcountry. Whitney Dumford/MPS Photographer whatever they ask of me, I’m down for participants starting July 15th. PhilmontScoutRanch.org PhilmontScoutRanch.org PhilNews | 5 Voices from the Valle cont. Ranger Mile: Not Your Typical Colorado Adventure Morgan Berryman-Maciel is just south of the Great Sand frolick through some meadows, Associate Chief Ranger Dunes (about a three hour drive passing some smaller alpine pools. from Philmont). The trail offers Depending on snowpack, the trail With the Philmont Recovery rugged mountain scenery, minimal may or may not exist, so please do Corps in full swing, we probably foot traffic, an alpine lake, and a not attempt this hike unless you have the most consistent days off stunning waterfall. The waterfall are confident in your route-finding schedule in Philmont history! Two is only a 10-minute jaunt from abilities. In April, I was post- consecutive days off opens up the trail head, and is definitely holing (sinking into the snow) many possibilities for adventure. worth the detour if you are headed up to my hips in some sections! A lot of people take this as an to the Great Sand Dunes. If you Don’t forget to bring plenty of opportunity to climb some 14ers, want to stretch out your legs a water, food, a method to purify do laundry, or relax. If you’ve bit more, the 10ish mile out-and- water, and some hiking poles if exhausted your 14er options/don’t back hike to the lake is a steep and you want to save your knees. As like waiting in a line to take your rewarding trek. As you gain the you are driving safely back to picture on the summit of a 14er 3,000 feet from the trailhead to the ranch, stop at the Wildcat’s and if you have given up on doing the lake, you pass some old miners Den in Questa for a spicy green laundry because your clothes are cabins, and some beautiful rock chile bacon cheeseburger, or take always covered in sap, there are formations. Then, you descend to a slightly longer way back to the some excellent opportunities for a creek and continue to climb up Ranch and stop at the Farmhouse hiking in the Sangre de Cristo past tree line. From there, you will Café in Taos for a farm-to-table Mountains. One trail in particular, scramble across loose rock and style meal. Happy Trails! the South Zapata Lake Trail, Be Smart About Bears Casey Myers any pet food and bowls in at night. nuisance bear. Once a bear becomes Wildlife Biologist Wild bears have a natural fear of categorized as a nuisance bear there humans, allowing them to associate is only one solution that allows for As we begin to bring our lives food rewards with human presence us to maintain safety of all our staff, back to some state of normality will cause that fear to dissipate and participants and visitors which is after the fire I would like to share make them more willing to come an awful way for a bear to go out. some helpful reminders with all of around where there are humans. To close out I would ask that we you, so we may reduce the number A bear’s natural diet consists of all do our part to keep out living of bear occurrences in base. Please berries, grasses and meat in the quarters clean, free of food, secure make sure to properly dispose of all wild which means their systems all personal hygiene products and waste in the appropriate locations, are not developed to handle all make sure to utilize the proper areas never leave trash laying outside the types of food we as humans to dispose of waste. If you notice as this will only encourage bears eat. If a bear gets into garbage or bear activity in base please contact to come into base and associate manages to get any sort of personal logistics and have them notify this area with easy food rewards. hygiene product they will become Casey Myers (Wildlife Biologist) At the end of the day please take conditioned to these “handouts” or Dave Kenneke (Director of down all bird feeders and bring and then get categorized as a Ranching and Conservation). 6 | PhilNews PhilmontScoutRanch.org Adapting to Change: Altering, Adjusting, Modifying, Revising, Innovating, Transforming Shelley O’Neill and it’s the legacy of the Philmont At its essence, joy is far more than Director of Business Staff. My bff sent this to me and I feeling happy. Operations thought it worth sharing: Joy dares to go where happiness will never tread. The title says it all, so I won’t Wild Joy Joy takes us deep, beleaguer this with what we have There are times of pure joy. beckoning us to see the whole had to do the last 17 days. I can Those moments that fill us up picture say I have laughed and I have cried where nothing else is present and not turn away. and I have not slept and I have but that sense of light worried and I have feared. All of flowing through and around us. Joy resides in unlikely places. us have run through the gamut of The breathtaking bloom emotions no matter the position It’s glorious. surrounded by thorns. we hold. We have had to do things It bolsters and renews our spirits. The way this earth renews itself we never thought we would do and Grounding us firmly in the through loss. never thought would be part of our moment. The sense of belonging that takes job, but we did it and are doing it. Reminding us to revel and to root Forbes and Inc Magazine gave six savor. when we come together around a key steps when an organization cause. faces adaptive challenges: And...it’s rare. The exquisite connection formed Give Direction, Provide Because most of the time by shared experience. Protection, Clarify Roles, Manage we hold a complex slurry Conflict, Shape the Norms and of emotions, experiences, Far from fairy tales, Communicate.That is all great, struggles, stories, hopes-- joy is found in the grit, the and I am sure there is a book and all wrapped in the beauty and celebration, operations manual to go with that. mess of living. and the resilience of daring to say But what they don’t have is the Yes to all of it. Philmont staff. With practice and the strong arms Leaving nothing out. What they didn’t talk about of friends To live in Wild joy. was having a staff in place that we come back to ourselves. ~Chris Heeter could deal with the six steps. All No longer striving for that gleeful arriving here by May 29th, a mere light, We are all coping with change three days before the fire started, but rolling in it, arms stretched and doing an absolutely incredible and leaping to adaptive change out, job. The stories of the hard work in seconds amid a disaster. That belly to the sky, when it finds us. the staff is doing are unbelievable, is what we are about, who we are and this is definitely the CIMARRON ART GALLERY finest hour of the staff. I am more than proud to be part of ICE CREAM ART this 2018 staff and to work JEWELRY with all of you. Thank you COFFEE BAR for adapting, transforming, SMOOTHIES SCULPTURE revising, adjusting, altering and thank you for your 1937 continued adaptations as SODA OPEN we all go through a time we FOUNTAIN have never faced before. We Open every day are all part of the Philmont 9 A.M. - 6 P.M. Recovery Corps, hand in hand with each other and HOME OF THE $1.00 this land as it now faces its ICE CREAM CONE WOOD BADGE RELATED ITEMS adaptive change too. A Wrangler practices roping while at the Colfax County Fairgrounds 337 E 9th St. P.O. Box 115 Cimarron, NM 87714 cimarronartgallery.com 575-376-2614 during the evacuation in early June. Jess McClelland/MPS Photographer PhilmontScoutRanch.org PhilmontScoutRanch.org PhilNews | 7 The Wildlife Window

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A young mule deer buck pauses on a high ridge in the North Country. Photos curated by Conservation Wildlife Specialists as part of ongoing wildlife monitoring and research.

Enjoying the Night Skies at Philmont Michael W. Michelsen, Jr. They are, in fact, planets—Jupiter called lunar mesa, which is a group Staff Writer and Venus. On most nights, in most of low-hanging clouds that tend to other areas where they aren’t as gather around the horizon, creating If you happen to be enjoying the picky as New Mexicans are about some very dramatic effects. When night sky at Philmont and you want light pollution, these features are the sky is otherwise clear, it’s time to find the ideal observation point bleached out, but here there are to bring out your camera because to look at the stars, you are in luck. some excellent opportunities for you are in for a special treat. It so happens that the dark skies of viewing and astrophotography. “Lunar mesa is a naturally- the area of Northern “One of the neatest things about occurring phenomenon that really is one of the most exquisite in the astronomy in this area is the fact is something to see when you have nation. With the combination of that the darkness makes seeing a lot the opportunity,” Brady explained. velvety black skies and a natural of things very easy, even without When you think of all the expanse tendency for the earth to play all a telescope or other equipment,” of sky, even from Base Camp, and sorts of colorful games with its Brady explained. “Of course, there you can see all of the stars and the atmosphere, you will probably are other features, such as the clouds, it really is quite unique. wonder before long if you are moons around Jupiter that require The visual is stunning. When looking at a movie set as opposed to telescopes to be seen, but there opportunities like these present a desert. To be successful, however, are many sights that can be seen themselves, and you have the not to mention meaningful, you without visual aids.” weather we do, which is usually need a guide to what you are Another sight that is spectacular, very cooperative, the scene is set looking at. In this case, Mary Brady even from Base Camp is the Milky for some fantastic viewing.” is happy to be your guide. Brady is Way, which can be seen with some “Bring camera,” is usually on the Camp Director of Ring Place, a aid. “As long as you are using a a Scout’s list before coming to backcountry camp that specializes telescope or some other viewing Philmont. Unfortunately, this is in astronomy of the area. Brady is a device, the opportunities to see the normally considered an option for third year member of the Philmont Milky Way are very good, and from the scenery itself. On the bright staff. there on, everything is spectacular.” side, if you really want to see an On virtually any clear night you New Mexico’s skies frequently attraction that is truly extraordinary, will find that two of the brightest lend themselves to a phenomenon just look up. Nick Castelli, MPS Photographer, looks up at the night sky near points of light are not stars at all. Opening Campfire Bowl.Jess McClelland/MPS Photographer 8 | PhilNews PhilmontScoutRanch.org Chaplain’s Corner: Still Chaplain’s Bio: Changing Lives Father Mike Father Mike Santangelo There are so many things I can harder to see in some places. If Catholic Chaplain point to since the start of the fire I had the chance to talk to Crews to prove to you just how great this year I would still encourage Santangelo Fr. Mike was born and raised has served as the Advisor to the Unfortunately by the time you a staff you are. The amazing them to look up and look around. in New Jersey. As a boy he was Training Committee, a member read this I will have returned to way that management handled I would let them know if they involved in Scouting and remains of the Executive Board and is my parish responsibilities at my things including the evacuation wanted to see the true beauty, involved today. He serves as currently serving as the Region 3 off-season home. The past few itself. Then there is spirit of the the true heart of Philmont, Crew Advisor to Crew 500 and Chaplain, covering New Jersey weeks have been a very different staff through everything. Who they should look for the green as a Committee member to Troop and Pennsylvania. Philmont experience for all of else could pull off a horseless shirts. You, the staff, are what 38. At his current parish he also Fr. Mike has some experience us. It will, however, be a very rodeo? And of course there is the has always, and will always charters a Cub Pack. Fr. Mike as a participant (1996, 2001 and memorable experience. I will adaptability and the eagerness of make Philmont a life changing is one of four brothers, all Eagle 2006), faculty (2007) and Course continue to keep all of you in my everyone to step up and take on experience. Scouts. Director (2008) with the Scouting prayers. the tasks now necessary. Many So take advantage of the time Fr. Mike was active in his in the Catholic Church course When we arrived and began of the comments being made on you still have before the Crews Church from a young age. He at PTC. In 2015, he jumped at our training for this year, we social media sum it up like this: arrive to help rebuild our HOmE. went to Rutgers University in the opportunity to become the were called to be aware that we “What do you expect? They are Continue being the amazing New Jersey and earned a degree in Associate Director of Program have the opportunity to change Philmont staff.” It is a reputation people you are and Philmont will Economics with a focus on Finance for the St. George Trek. Last lives. When the crews begin to that is well earned, and one that be all the better for your efforts. and Accounting. It was while at year, he returned to Philmont in arrive in July that opportunity you will certainly continue to And don’t forget, while you are Rutgers that he responded to a call that capacity and was able to stay still remains. There may be some grow. changing lives when the Crews to the priesthood. On September on Staff for about 5 weeks. This who are disappointed that things Last year, I would tell the Crews arrive, don’t miss out on allowing 9th, 1995, he was ordained a priest is his second season as one of the aren’t going to be how they were who came to our chapel service Philmont to change your life for the Diocese of Trenton, New Catholic Chaplains. Unfortunately, planned. You should not let that that they should remember to as well. I am already looking Jersey and has served there ever his responsibilities back home only hinder you from doing what look up and look around. Being forward to the next opportunity I since. On August 1st, 1996, he was allow him to be here for a short you do best. The single most in God’s country gave them the will have to return HOmE. appointed Scout Chaplain and still time (departing the morning of important aspect of Philmont, opportunity to see the beauty of Godspeed to you all. holds that position today. 614). Because he is part of the St. the one that will have the most God’s creation and to have an Fr. Mike In April of 1997, he became a George Trek, Father knows it will impact, remains you, the staff. experience of being in God’s member of the National Catholic only be a matter of time before he The crews coming will learn that presence. That opportunity still Committee on Scouting. In his can come back HOmE again. truth as well. remains, although it may be time with the NCCS Fr. Mike PhilmontScoutRanch.org PhilmontScoutRanch.org PhilNews | 9

Chaplain’s Bio: The Puzzle Page Issue 2 Answers Father Mike Grab a pen and play some games, either by yourself or with friends! Santangelo Tic Tac Toe

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Can you find the names of every Philmont backcountry camp in this word search? If the camp name is more than one word, it will appear in the word search as one word, with no spaces.

• Abreu • Head of Dean • Apache Springs • Hunting Lodge • Baldy Town • Indian Writings • Beaubien • Metcalf • Black Mountain • Miners Park • Carson Meadows • Miranda • • Ponil • Cimarroncito • Phillips Junction • Clarks Fork • Pueblano • Clear Creek • Rayado • Crater Lake • Rich Cabins • Crooked Creek • Ring Place • Cyphers Mine • Sawmill • Dan Beard • Seally Canyon • Dean Cow • Urraca • Fish Camp • Ute Gulch • French Henry • Whiteman Vega • Harlan • Zastrow 10 | PhilNews PhilmontScoutRanch.org PhilmontScoutRanch.org PhilmontScoutRanch.org PhilNews | 11 12 | PhilNews PhilmontScoutRanch.org

June 16, 2018, June 17th, Ranching a group of staff HQ Staff began their spent a workday day feeding the horses at Black Mountain. and picking up after Staff helped carry them. They also moved in materials for a horses back into the maintenance project, Ranching HQ area and Black Mountain from surrounding fields staff were able to where they roam for set up and practice the weekends. safety in the camp’s Ryan Soldanels | MPS shooting range. Photographer Whitney Dumford | MPS Photographer

June 18, 2018. Rich Cabins practicing songs in the laundry room. John Celley, Conservation Foreman, walks through the burn area behind Ute Nicolas Castelli | MPS Photographer Gulch during a workday on June 21, 2018. The Conservation team at Ute Gulch has begun a project to cut down burned trees, using the charred trunks and branches to create a barrier to the ground to help better absorb upcoming rainwater. Whitney Dumford | MPS Photographer

June 15th. 2018, PTC staffers John Milburn (left) and Michael Heffernan (right) work their way through the challenges of the High COPE Course. Jessica McClelland | MPS Photographer