Silver On the Sage

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For 16 summers Steve Nelson witnessed staff and participants experience influential moments time and time again.  And not just in the summertime, but year round - from 2008 to 2023 Steve worked full-time as the Associate Director of Camping, Comptroller, and Director of Camping.

Steve prides Philmont on recruiting the best of the best seasonal staff members.  And how when they arrive, they explode in awesomeness and terrific achievement.  And how proud he was to be a part of that for so many years.   

Philmont Experience:
1972 - NJLITC participant
1995 - Philmont Training Center - Professional BSA Training
1999 - Philmont Trek - 714-P2

April 2008 - June 2009 - Associate Director of Camping (Unit 6) responsible for Base Camp Operations and Seasonal Human Resources

June 2009 - December 2017 - Comptroller/Director of Business Operations (Unit 4 and then Unit 3)

January 2018  - September 2023 - Director of Camping (Unit 2)

BSA Career:

• Nevada Area Council; Reno, Nevada - District Executive - 1983 - 1986
• Boulder Dam Area Council; Las Vegas, Nevada - District Executive 1986-1987
• Left the Boy Scouts in 1987 worked at Aspen Grove Family Camp - Brigham Young University Alumni Family Camp and taught classes in the Recreation Management/Youth Leadership Department. 1987-1989
• Tendoy Area Council; Pocatello, Idaho - Senior District Executive 1990-1993
• Grand Teton Council; Idaho Falls, Idaho - Program Director, Field Director and Director of Field Service 1993-2002
• Snake River Council: Twin Falls, Idaho - Scout Executive 2002 - 2008
• Philmont Scout Ranch 2008-2023

Notable Mentions:
Mark Anderson
Sasha Nelson
Frank Reigleman
Keith Galloway
John Clark
Owen McCulloch
Chris Sawyer
Eric Martinez
Adam Herrenbruck
Robert Fudge
John Celley 
Andrew Gotchenower
Sid Covington
Hailey in Logistics 
John Murphy
Matt Lindsey
Jim Lynch
Tim Rosseisen
Tim Hansen
Joey Fernandez
Gene Schnell
Kevin Dowling

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Dr. John Alexander - esteemed Veterinarian, Texas native, Eagle Scout, Philmont Wrangler and Horsemen, Philmont Ranch Committee member, and one of the more generous people I've met to date. 

Philmont Experience:
June 1984 - Trek participant
June 2013 - Advisor
1988 - Wrangler, Beaubien & Ponil
1989-1991 - Horseman, Ponil
2016-2021 - Ranch Committee: Ranch/Conservation Task Force
2021- Ranch Committee: Advisory Board

Notable Mentions:
Jason Smallwood
Ben and Marilyn Vargas
Sean Vargas
Rod and Patty Taylor
Rich Riddle
Chuck Enloe
Rob Yarboro
Jesse Earl Sealy
Rusty Lowe
Chris Holloway
Mario Martinez
Linda Davis
CS Ranch
Jeremy Spivey
JB Brockway
Trigger
Jake Barnes
Clay O'Brien Cooper
Brad Handcock
Bob Handcock
Degus Wright
Jeff Mackee
Jim Rifel
Kevin Dowling
Dave Kenneke
Pat Blenn
Roger Hoyt
Chuck Enloe
Jeff Segler
Richard Munger
Mark Anderson

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Jack Chinn and I discuss the magical moments of the Philmont staff experience, alongside the maturity moments and interpersonal growth that happens when you toss a bunch of 20 year-olds together in the mountains of New Mexico.  Chatting with Jack also reminded me of how much stronger our memories are when gathered with friends.

Philmont Experience:
2004 - Trek participant
2008 - OA trail crew trek participant
2009 - OATC Foreman
2010 - PC Urraca
2011 - PC Cyphers
2011 - Fall Maintenance/ Cimarron Volunteer Fire Department
2012 - CD French

Notable Mentions:
Spencer Powell
Billy Rain
Slim Uribe Goertz
John Nagib
Mason Spangler
Brianna Howland
Tim Collver
Mike Ritterhouse
Amy Carlisle
Philip Lewis
Jimmy Lowe
Eli Page Goertz
Gene Schnell
Rick Smith
John Celley
Fudge
JL Ellis
Ross Robinson
Freddy
Ted
Ellen Washburne
Kira Rednizack
Henry
Robert Clemmer
Lizzy Standard
Mark Anderson

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Today I share an interview with Grace Wall, also known as Nolly.  Nolly is a current Philmont staffer and a long time scouter.  This interview embodies those moments when you meet a fellow alumni and feel instantly at ease and eager to chat about all things Philmont.   

Philmont Experience:
2019 - 12-day trek participant
2021 - PC Rich Cabins
2022 - PC Crater Lake
2023 - PC Cypher's Mine
2024 - CD Rich Cabins

Notable Mentions:
Cormac 
Jack Siebert

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Today's guest will soon begin his  27th summer on seasonal staff at Philmont Scout Ranch.  He's hiked the Appalachian Trail, the Long Trail, and summited over 40 state highpoints and 40 Colorado fourteeners.  But you may know him best from his published book - The Philmanac, and his famous Philmont cookies and desserts. 

Philmont Experience:
1978 - Trek Participant
1982 - Ranger
1983 - Seasonal Registrar
1985 - Welcome Center Manager
1986 - Trek Advisor
1987 CD -Phillips Junction
1988 CD - Phillips Junction
1989 CD - Baldy Town
1990 CD - Head of Dean
1991 CD - Cimarroncito
1992 CD - Miners Park
1993 CD - Pueblano
1994 CD - French Henry
1995 CD - Dean Cow
1996 CD - Clear Creek
1997 CD - Black Mountain
1999 CD - Rich Cabin
2002 CD - Crooked Creek
2004 CD - Miranda
2006 Cook - Cimarroncito
2008 Cook - Cimarroncito
2009 Cook - Beaubien
2011 Cook - Cimarroncito
2013 Cook - Ponil
2015 Cook - Clarks Fork
2018 Cook - Cimarroncito/Museum staff (Ute Park Fire)
2021 CD - Chase Ranch
2023 Cook - Clarks Fork
2024 - CD Dan Beard
Early 2000s - PSA Director (6 years)

Notable Mentions
Cliff Waygee
Dean Tooley
Dawn Chandler 
Doug Palmer
Lee Haddaway
Jim Foster
GS Harper
Fryer
Gene Schnell
Carlos Abuelo
Derek Shiney
Father Kevin Smith
John Eric Kauffman
John Pierce 
David O'Neil
Ed Pease
Bill Spice

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Kicking off Season 8 with the current Director of Camping, Unit 2 - Matt Hart.  Matt shares an enthusiastic commitment to Philmont’s exemplary levels of service and professionalism, from the first bus of the season to the last - and beyond. We discuss everything from recruitment, participant numbers, and BSA policy updates to Philmont capital projects, pilot programs, NM sunsets and more. 

Support the podcast!

• Monthly contributions via Patreon 
• One time donation via Venmo : Caitlin-Lowe-87714
• Podcast merchandise 

Scouting Background

• Eagle Scout from Troop 23 in Rockmart, GA
• District Executive, Senior District Executive, Program Director, Field Director Northwest GA Council, Rome, GA 1994-2002
• Scout Executive, Alapaha Area Council, Valdosta, GA-2002-2007
• Scout Executive, Suwannee River Area Council, Tallahassee, FL-2007-2010
• Scout Executive, South GA Area Council, Valdosta, GA-2010-2020
• Scout Executive, Northwest GA Council, Rome, GA-2020-2023
• Director of Camping, Philmont Scout Ranch 2023-present.

Philmont Background

• 12 Day Backcountry Treks in 2009 and 2013.
• PTC Faculty-Council Key 3-2022
• PTC Faculty-Commissioner Service-2005
• PTC Participant-(Council Key 3) 2010
• Philmont Fly Fishing Invitational-Annually from 2013-2022  

Notable Mentions:
Doug Palmer
Steve Nelson
Roger Hoyt
Shelley O'Neil
Dave Kenneke
Kevin Sticklemen
Dave Werhane
Austin St. George
Phillip Ferrier
David O'Neill
Nate Lay
Joey Fernadez
Monica Turney
Carrie Kosmicki Hairston 
Derek Shiney
Chris Sawyer
Kimberly Rayburn Hart
Chick Harvey
Linda Davis

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Donna kicks it off reminiscing back to 1986 when she gathered with friends to celebrate New Years at the ranch.  From her experiences as a rent-a-ranger and mountain trek mom to encounters with wildlife and full moon pranks, Donna embodies that special connection we all feel while sitting around a fire, gathering and reconnecting with Philmont friends.   

Girls and Women, Equity and Inclusion (GWEI)

Philmont Experience:
1978 - Trek participant
1980 - Camping dining hall staff
1981 - Camping distribution staff
1982 - Ranger
1983 - Ranger
1986 - New Years participant
2001 - PTC Participant
2011 - PSA Backcountry Liaison

Notable Mentions:
Chris Bowles
Ben Rush
Jon Antonavitch
Dean Tooley
Owen Michaelson
Dave Bogart
Chistine McCarthy-Standard
Scott Ingram
John Deal - Griz
Kathy Leach
Cliff Watje
Betty Watje
Bev Aldridge
Mr. Lloyd Knutson
Jim Foster
Willie Hittson

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Today I chat with the creator of the Instagram account "Cons Meme Cache."  Some of you may follow this social media account - where common Philmont staff experiences are presented with humor and jest.  The content creator wished to remain anonymous - but he shares the history and making of the account, as well as his experiences on staff and more. 

Philmont Experience:
2017 - Trek Participant
2019 - Trek Participant
2021 - Conservation Work Crew

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Bob and I chat about recording Tobasco Donkeys album “Sawin On The Strings,” black mountain bog wars, PSA cavalcade, New Years at the Ranch, and more.  A big thanks to Jeremy Spivey, Bob, his wife Val, and their daughter Mattie, for hosting a mini Philmont reunion and of course the chance to sing some tunes together.

Bob is a bass player for the Blood Brothers - check out their music!

Philmont Experience:
1988 - Trek participant
1990 - Trek participant
1991 - Trail Crew Trek
1992 - Trail Crew Trek / Trading post trail hire
1993 - Seally Canyon
1994 - Crater Lake
1995 - Black Mountain
1996 - CD Apache
1997 - CD Crater
1998 - CD Cyphers

Notable Mentions:
Dirty Larry Mclaughlin
Spencer Seim
Andy Gerhart
Shelley O'Neil
Chris Knolls
John Ferris Chaplain
Dave Bates
Scott Toney
Doug Fasching
Reggie Jayne
Ali Wick Meeks
Ryan Raddish
David Higginbotham
Joe Gats
Eric Voss
Reid Templeton
Ron Powers
Alex Ave 
Jag McLaughlin
Gene Schnell
Kelley Kirkwood "Cajun"
Chris Bryant
Pat (BCM)
Hunter Seim
Doug Palmer

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