Scott discusses his work with the Philmont Ambassador Program. He also shares stories of burros and bears - and log rolling at Crater lake during his time on trek as a participant in the 70s.   

Interested in becoming a Philmont Ambassador? Check out the Ambassador Resources here.

Philmont Experience:

1975 - Trek Participant

2006 - Trek Advisor

2013 - Trek Advisor

2018 & 2021 - Wood Badge Staff

2018 - Present - Philmont Ambassador 

Support the show

In this episode, we chat about Tim's experience as a scout and USAFA Ranger.  Tim is the current Vice President of Service for the Philmont Staff Association.  From Phil-break and Volunteer Vacation to Service Corps and Special projects, if you're looking for a way to give back and go back to the ranch - this episode is for you!

Philmont Experience:

1983 - Trek participant

1984 - Trek participant, crew leader

1986 - Rayado participant

1989 - USAFA Ranger

1990 - Ranger Trainer, USAFA Ranger

1994 - USAFA Ranger

Notable Mentions:

Roch Roarbacher

Sam Lee

Johnathan Houk

Brian Burns

Mike Larson

JJ Stevens

Tim Rossiesen

Kevin Stickleman

Phil Winegardener

Shelley and Tim O'Neill

Dollie O'Neil

Al Taylor

Tim Castor 'Badger'

Support the show

Inviting you to help us celebrate Dia De Los Muertos on the podcast!

Please send in a audio recording of a story, a memory, or a lasting impact of a deceased loved one from Philmont Scout Ranch or surrounding New Mexico area.  Many of us have been touched by those larger than life figures - such as Gene Schenll, Doug Palmer, Joe Davis, Bob Funk, and more - but please feel free to include family members who trekked at the ranch, visitors, etc.  This episode is not limited to staff members only.

Most smart phones have a voice recording app, so simply find a quiet space, press record, share your memory, save the file, and email it to [email protected]. If you'd rather send in a written submission I am more than happy to record it for you and include it in the episode.  If you feel inspired to send in a song, poem, or i-camp in honor of a loved one, that is absolutely welcomed as well. 

Please send audio and written submissions to me by Monday, October 20th.

With your help and participation - this episode will air on Dia de los muertos, which is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd.

Support the show

Dan Edwards, ironically hated backpacking until his first Philmont trek, where he learned to love it.  Specifically he learned to be comfortable being uncomfortable - because morale was so high and the backcountry camp camaraderie and activities were so impactful.  

Philmont Experience:

2006 - Trek Participant

2012 - Ranger / Assistant Cook Beaubien

2013 - PC Crater Lake 

2014 - PC Clarks Fork

2015 - CD Black Mountain / Autumn Adventure Guide

Notable Mentions:

Ry Taylor

Chris Sawyer

Owen McCulloch

Myles

Will

Dylan McDermott

Gene Schnell

Phil Lewis

Jada Day

Zach Brand

Matt Groff

Daniel

Karl

Jake Koch

Zac Garmoe

Lela and Sean Murphy

Justin Kernes

Ted Cook

Support the show

Thirty-five summers ago Gretchen followed her cousin out to Philmont Scout Ranch hoping to be offered a job.  Fate rewarded her, and she spent four  summers working at Camping headquarters dining hall.  Rather than bagging peaks and hiking expansive distances, Gretchen valued making connections with staff and campers daily in the dining hall. She fell in love with Philmont Scout Ranch, where learned to live her faith out loud. 

Philmont Experience:

1990 - CHQ kitchen

1991 - CHQ Kitchen Assistant Manager

1992 - CHQ Kitchen Assistant Manager

1994 - CHQ Kitchen Assistant Manager

Notable Mentions

Chris Werhane

Dave Werhane

Cindy Werhane

Diana Loomis

Charley "Red"

Andrew

Matt Werhane

Will Hawkins

Laura Hood

Nancy Davis

Kerri Kosmiki

Dean Tooley

Doug Palmer

Eric Micahel Dale

Reggie Jayne

Tim Fraylick

Larry McLaughlin 

Daisy Dix

Garth

Support the show

Brian Hobrock is Philmont's current Ranch Department Livestock Technician and Chase Ranch cowboy.  As a young wrangler in the 80's, Brian encountered challenging moments that resulted in resilience and commitment to the cowboy way of life.  He shares stories as Bucky the Burro wrangler at Miranda, and how after 20 years away from the ranch, the mountains were still calling.  

Philmont Experience:

1981 - Trek participant

1983 - Wrangler / Burro wrangler - Miranda

1984 - Wrangler

1987 - Wrangler / UU Bar Autumn

2021 - Livestock Technician / Chase Ranch cattle & irrigation 

Notable Mentions:

Ben Vargas

Rod Taylor

Bob Knox

Bob & Rachel Ricklefs

Boss Sanchez

Chuck Enloe

Susan Hobrock

Joe Higgins

Curly "Doug" Seamans

Aaron Kenny

John Mal

Chuck Pledge

Spider

Lucas Long

Dave Kenneke

Support the show

Harold is a National Scouting Professional and museum specialist at the National Scouting Muesum.  He wears many hats, tending to exhibits, collections, electronic displays, virtual tours, and more.  He is also the creator of the popular Artifact of the Week video series, which highlights the history, culture, and influences of Philmont Scout Ranch and surrounding New Mexico areas. 

Philmont Experience:

2016 - 2018 - PTC Faculty, NAYLE and PLC staff

2018 - NAYLE Course Director  

2018 - Logistics Trip Planner / Dining Hall (Ute Park Fire)

2019 – 2021 - Museum Specialist, seasonal, year-round

2021 - National Scouting Museum full-time

Notable mentions
Tom Guini
Tracy Waters
Dr. John Alexander

Support the show

Troy credits Philmont for diversity exposure, alongside an environment of staff camaraderie and solidarity.  He shares numerous stories including the Flip SAR incident, the Cypher's Mine Dirty Boys,  and a tobasco donkey spa day gone wrong.  

Philmont Experience:

1986 - NJLIC (the National Junior Leader Instructor Camp)
1987 - Rayado participant 
1988 - Trail Crew participant
1989 - CHQ Trading Post Staff
1990 - Ranger
1991 - A-team / Ranger
1993 - PC Cypher’s Mine
1994 - ACD Beaubien 
2025 - Scouts, USA Professional Staff Reunion 

Notable Mentions:

Nancy Nelson

Hunter Seim

Tiffany Stoeber

Kelly Peterson

Karl Dawes

Dirty Larry McLaughlin 

Support the show

Today I chat with third generation Philmonter, Will Kemple-Taylor.  Both his grandparents and parents worked at the ranch.  And He grew up creek stomping in the Uracca, building forts in scrub oak, and embodying the notion of wild and untamed.  

In this special episode to kick off summer, Will chats about youthful pranks gone wrong, the good vibes of backcountry shows, award winning Camp Directors, epic Phil-fiestas, a surprising twist after returning late from days off, the orchestration of scatter, and more.

Philmont Experience

2001 - Trek participant

2003 - Maintenance

2006 - PC Beaubien

2007 - PC Pueblano

2014 - Bear Researcher

Notable Mentions

Robin Tate Walters (formerly Taylor)

Rod & Patty Taylor

Jim Taylor

Ry Taylor

Mark Griffin

Kirsten Anderson

Mathias Olson

Dawson Enloe

Mark and Linda Anderson 

Dave Kennke

Steve Rick

Keith Walters

Bucko Cowden

Sal Huddleston

Laney Williams

Carter Johnson

David Yoshida

Karl Zensen

Phil Lewis

Bryce Blankenship

Austin Best

Will Bar

Sal

Slim Uribe Goertz

Mark Emde

David Burchfield

Gretchen Kemple-Taylor

Dave Werhane

Bob Rickleffs

Sarah Burgess

Benjamin Phillip Carluche

Paul and Katherine Bearenson

Support the show

Max Wang is a life long-Scouter and Eagle Scout.  His scouting journey has taken him from one cost to another, and today he continues to be active in Sea Scouts in Arlington, VA.  Max recounts impactful stories from his time on trek as a participant, and highlights the various transferable skills he learned while working in Logistics in 2017 - including emergency management and incident command.  All of which he utilized when he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard.  

Philmont Experience

2012 - Trek participant

2014 - OA Trail Crew

2017 - Logistics Staff

Notable Mentions

Eric Martinez

Regina Engle

John Mark Lampley

Josiah Devoe

Sid Covington

Sara Sutter

Cory Mullens

Grant Reigleman

David O'Neill

Tom Guigni

Mark Anderson

Nate Lay

Support the show