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

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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

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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

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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 

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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

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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

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Mark joins the show to highlight the sustainable impact and dedicated work that the Philmont Service Corps has accomplished throughout the last year and a half.  In the second portion of our conversation, Mark shares a collection of stories from his many, many experiences at Philmont Scout Ranch.

Philmont Experience: 

Trek - 1978 1979 1991 2022
Rayado Trek - 1980

1981 Food Service
1982 83 Ranger
1984 Miners Park PC
1985 Head Rock Dean Cow
1986 88  CD Miners Park
1987 CD  Cimarroncito
1989 CD Ponil

PSA Trek 1992 93 95 97 98 99 2000 01 03 05 06 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 19 21 23
PSA Service Corps Fall and Spring 2024
PSA Life Member
Member of Scholarship Committee
Past PSA Director

Notable Mentions:

Harry Owens

Pierce Ramsey

Betty Pechaco

Ken Block

Dr. Van Allen 

McCarthy Sisters

Joey Fernandaz

Tom Washburne

Sam and Lucky Fannama

Joy and Willa Pendley

Mitch Standard

Dave Schweer

Joe Schmit

Doug Palmer

Holly Schweer

Kat Hansen

Steve Harmony

Joe Leiz

Charlie Aldredge

Tim Gremiger

Badger Cook

Cliff Wagey

Dean Tooley

Gary Richards

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Today I want to highlight a parent perspective of the impact that Scouting can have on ones family.  Specifically the family of Tom and Georgia Stoeber. Tom is a 60 year veteran of the BSA, including 25 years working as a Scouting professional.  The values of Scouting and, in particular participating in Philmont treks - gave their children leadership skills, a can do attitude, confidence to engage in conversation, share new ideas, place high value on volunteering, and more.  

Rayado Rose: The Roberta Birdie Jayne Scholarship

Philmont Experience:

1992 & 1994 - PTC Key Three Training 

1994 - PTC Family Camp 

2001 - OA Conference

2016 - Central Region Retirees Reunion 

2023 & 2025 - National Professional Retirees Reunion

Notable Mentions

Dirty Larry

Dean Tooley

Gretchen Stoeber

Troy Stoeber

Bonita Tooley

Clyde Mayor

Harold White

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Molly Gatewood joins the show to highlight the important work of the Philmont Training Center Housekeeping department.  From bathrooms and luxury tents to the mailroom and Villa Philmonte, the housekeeping staff at Philmont is integral in delivering quality experiences for participants and staff alike.  As an avid Scouter - Molly praises the organization for creating opportunities for  youth to build character, learn new skills, socialize, travel, and grow in confidence. 

Philmont Experience:

2019 - Trek participant

2024 - PTC Housekeeping

Notable Mentions:

Marlin Fuentes

Ben Jenkins

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Today Arizona Duff joins the show.  She discusses her first experience on trek, navigating the fundamental challenges and shifts that occur while on the trail.  Namely - several moments at Cypher's Mine where she began to feel the love of the Philmont staff family, as they invited her onto the stomp stage to play a tune.  

Fast forward to 2018 - Arizona examines her journey in Timber Stand Improvement and becoming a certified Sawyer.  The experience grew her appreciation for the work it takes to be good stewards of this land we all love and share.

Today, Arizona is working towards a PhD studying the history of work and labor music. She praises the Philmont music culture as a tool to share - not only history, but also encourage staff and participants to process feelings.  

Philmont Experience:

2014 - Regular Trek (South Country) 

2015 - Rayado (1st session) 

2016 - Hired TBA, Assigned PC Abreu 

2017 - Ranger 1 

2018 - Cypher's Mine / TSI Sawyer 

2019 - CD French Henry 

2020 - Hired as CD Pueblano (COVID)

2021 - Hired as CD Pueblano (Had to decline due to family medical needs) 

Notable Mentions:

Claire Ficke

Bernard / Alex

Katie Garrett

Maggie McCulloch

Jenna Trione

Marie Montegeau

Lauren Wendell Thomas

Michael Brown

Paul French

Tucker Baker

Trevor Lombardi 

Anna Washburne

Sara Kopsa

Emily Bergman

Amber Hollum

Bailey Colson

Elizabeth Doyle

Anna Krune

Kevin Becker

Spencer Harsh

Rachel Henneg

Brian Stokes

Jake Trione

Anne Mary

Drew Chapman

Regina Walker

Adam Graves

Jessie Nelson

Keagan Finger

Colleen McCulloch

Ellyn Washburne Rager

Will Garrison

Evan Stark Dykema

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