Celebrating Chuck Enloe's 31 years of Service - January 9, 2026.  May an end of an era give birth to the continuation of a legacy so rooted in the reverence of work worth doing - that all who went before and all who are yet to come honor it as deep as blood, as family. 

Philmont Experience

1968-1970 - Trek participant
1971 - Dining Hall Staff
1972 & 1975 - Wrangler
1976 - 1980 - Horseman
1983 & 1992 - Horseman
1992 - 1993 - Kanik Season
1995 - 1998 - Full time Fence Crew
1999 - 2001 - Fence Crew / Ponil Horseman
2002 - 2019 - Cowboy
2019 - 2026 - Livestock Foreman

Notable Mentions
Dave Kenneke
Andrea Watson
Dr. John Alexander
Miller Adams
Don Connealy  
Degus Wright
Dawson Enloe

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Hey listeners - welcome back to Silver On the Sage Podcast. Today I get to chat with Russ Walliser. We discuss everything from how the podcast prompted Russ to apply to work at the ranch, to the upcoming Rayado Reunion, and more.

Philmont Experience:

2017 - Trek participant

2019 - Trek participant

2023 - Ranger

2024 - Ranger on Rayado

2025 - Ranger Trainer, Autumn Guide

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Snow Day episode!  In honor of the precipitation - please enjoy this month's extra episode, with Ryan Jackson, current Associate Director of Camping at Philmont Scout Ranch. 

Today's episode is sponsored by the National Scouting Museum. The NSM exists to preserve and present the history and stories of Scouting in interesting, educational, and inspirational ways to visitors, both in person and virtually.

Scouting Experience:

Broad Creek Memorial Scout Reservation, Whiteford, MD
-Counselor In Training - 2011
-Scoutcraft Staff - 2012
-Council Camping Director/Camp Director - 2021-2024

Summit Bechtel Reserve, Glen Jean, WV
-Camp Commissioner (High Adventure) - 2014
-Camp Commissioner (Scout Camp) - 2015-2016
-Base Camp Manager - 2017-2019
-Program Operations & Logistics Support (POLS) Director - 2020

Philmont Scout Ranch 
-Winter Base Camp Manager - 2021
-Associate Director of Camping - 2024-Present

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Today's episode celebrates the special bonds that we create with the people we meet on staff and on the trail.  Kat and Ryan share their story of growing up and finding each other among those special hills.  

Check out Dawn Chandler's weekly emails: TuesdayDawnings.  They are a free, weekly tonic of contemplation, curiosity & creativity.  

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To help us celebrate the podcast's birthday and kick off our 6th year highlighting the impact of Philmont Scout Ranch - my kiddos Gillian, Louise, and Dawson join the show.  They candidly share the little and grand moments that sparked magic during their first visit to those special hills we call home.

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What is a Riding Counselor?  Stick around to find out.  Kip shares stories of his experience in the Ranch Department in the early 1970s - including an exchange with Boss Sanchez, an encounter with the Grey Rider, and the task of learning each horse by its unique name.  He's volunteered for his local council for over 50 years, and is an avid supporter of time well spent in the outdoors.

Philmont Experience:

1970 - Riding Counselor

1971 - Wrangler

1994 - Trek Advisor

1999 - Trek Advisor

2014 - Autumn Trek

2017 - Autumn Trek

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Jenna's three week Rayado experience as a participant, and learning to expect unexpected - set her up for career success as a travel nurse, especially in the ER.  We chat about nuanced topics such as the Philmont sibling relationship, imposter syndrome, the multifaceted dynamics of being a Camp Director, and the lore of El Jenkins - an obscure painting that was the catalyst for a summer long prank.  

Philmont Experience

2013 - 12 day trek
2015 - Rayado 
2017 - PC Cimarroncito
2018 - PC French Henry / TSI
2019 - PC Cyphers Mine
2021 - CD Cyphers Mine
Fall 2021 - Infirmary
2022 & 2023 - Volunteer Infirmary
2024 - Infirmary Driver & Nurse
2025 - CD Pueblano
2026 - BCM

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Today Jake Koch joins the show to chat about his experiences on seasonal and full-time staff at Philmont Scout Ranch.  Thank you for being here, and for partaking in this experience.  Cheers to our last episode of 2025!  

Philmont Experience:

2005: 12-day Trek participant
2009: 12-day Trek participant
2010 PC - Apache Springs
2011 PC - Head of Dean
2012 TBA PC - Cimarroncito
2013 CD - Miners Park
2014 CD - Clarks Fork / Autumn Adventure Guide
2015 CD - Cimarroncito / Winter Adventure Guide
2015 PTC Autumn Staff
2016:PSA Office Staff
Full-Time - 2016-2021: Assistant Manager Tooth of Time Traders

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Warren trekked and worked on staff in the 1970s, returned in the 80s to manage PTC Family Programs, and has been a major contributor to the PSA including President, editor, author, and more. 

Sponsorship

This episode is proudly sponsored by the National Scouting Museum, whose mission is to showcase the history and stories of Scouting in interesting, educational, and inspirational ways, both in person and virtual. 

Philmont Experience

1974 - Trek participant

1975 - Kit Carson Men (now Rayado) participant

1975 - Trail hire: Ponil barkeeper

1976 - Ranger / USAFA Training Ranger

1977 - Training Ranger (now Ranger Trainer)

1978 - Rayado Trek Coordinator

1979 - Camp Director – Crater Lake

1981-1983 - Manager – Brooks Lodge – Katmai National Park, Alaska

1984-1985 - PTC Manager of Family Programs

1985 - Editor - Philmont Fieldguide

1985-1990 - Editor – High Country

1994-1998 - PSA Vice President of Membership

1998-2002 - President – Philmont Staff Association

2003 - Editor and Contributor – Tales from the High Country (Best of…collection)

2007 - Editor and Contributor – More Tales From The High Country

2011 - Author - I Wanna Go Back – Stories from the First 50 Years of the Philmont Rangers – First Edition

2013 - Author - I Wanna Go Back – Stories from the First 50 Years of the Philmont Rangers – Second Printing

2017 - Author - Print The Legend – Novel set in Philmont country

1985-2025 - Various roles with High Country. Contributing Writer

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In September of 2025 I had the privilege of participating in the second week of the PSA Beaubein Service Corps Project.  The construction of the new Staff Dining Hall was made possible thanks to the many service corps volunteers, the Philmont  maintenance team, and generous donors.
 
Throughout the week, I recorded bits and pieces of the physical work being accomplished and the stories being told.  I hope you enjoy these highlights I’ve curated in an attempt to capture the immeasurable impact that Philmont Scout Ranch continues to have on my life, and the lives of many others.

Notable Mentions:

Jeff Wallick

Elizabeth Morgan

Liv Cunningham

Badger Caster / Colin Potluri

Jack on porch swing

Christening meal - Colin Potluri

Tim Greminger

Campfire - Jeremy, Liv, Ron and Cunningham, Caitlin Lowe, Colin Potluri

Closing - Curtis Seifert

Dedication - Chris Vahlkamp

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