Silver On the Sage

Dave Plumb, came back on staff for "one more summer."  He had sworn off romantic relationships, when at a Tobasco Donkeys concert, he unexpectedly met the women he'd later marry and grow a family with (Meg Graham Plumb).  Prior to working on staff, Dave attended PSA treks with his father.  On these treks, he witnessed the deep connections between current and past staff, which is what made him fall in love with Philmont Scout Ranch. Dave discusses the culture of logistics, the Philmont staff connection to the Red River Ski area, and how he continues to use teachable moments to this day as a school teacher in Colorado.

Philmont Experience:
1996 - PTC Participant
1997 - Trek 
1999, 2001, 2015, 2021 - PSA Trek

Seasonal Staff
2003 - Logistics Trip Planner
2008 - Logistics Asst Mgr / Autumn Guide
2009 - CD Ring Place
2011 - Logistics Communications Mgr / Autumn Co-Coordinator
2012 - Logistics Communications Mgr 

Notable Mentions:
Doug Palmer
Brad Plumb
John Nagib
Sid Covington
Eli Page-Goertz
Nick Mullens
Stephen August Hirsch Jr from the Great State of Arizona
Kathy Stanish Mead
Meg Graham Plumb
Dom Alisindrini
Tim Collver
Desi Atwater
Sarah Burgess
Matt Murray
Allison Vinson Defrees
Ellie Nickens Turner
Tobasco Donkeys
Mike Ritterhouse
Tim Bordon
Cassandra Rokita Robinson 
Ross Robison
Ingria Jones
Jeff Ostandorff
Coralie Graham

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Tennessee native, Julie Smith Vigil, first experienced Philmont as a reluctant, 13-year-old mountain trek participant.  Afterward she told her parents she was going to move to New Mexico as soon as she could.  Julie did just that, and she never left.

Among the many jobs that Julie worked at Philmont, PTC Group Leader was one of her favorites, as well as holding claim to being the first female CD at French Henry.  Today, she is a school teacher in Cimarron, and continues to work at Philmont in the summer time. 

Julie shares her experiences of being met with with disapproval as a female at Philmont in the1980's - and how she had to work extra, and twice as hard to prove herself.   She was repeatedly asked by management to step into different departments and new roles, always saying yes - embracing the scary but exciting challenge.  Julie finishes off the interview with some fun ghost stories from her time at Baldy and French.

Philmont Experience
1981 and 1983 - Mountain Trek

1985 - Trading Post
1986 & 1988 - PTC Group Leader
1989 - Asst Program Mgr
1990 & 1991 - Assoc Director Conservation
1992 - PTC Services Mgr
1993 - PTC Seasonal Registrar
Fall 1993 - PTC Office
1994 - CD Santa Claus
1995 - CD Clark's Fork
1996 - CD Miners
1997 - Logistics Mgr
1998 - CD Cito
1999 - CD Baldy
2000 - CD French
2001 & 2002 - BCM
2003 & 2004 - Logistics Asst Mgr
2005 - BCM
2006 - Logistics Communications Mgr
2007 - 2010- Asst BCW Mgr
2011 & 2012 - Mailroom
2013 - Asst BCW Mgr
2014 - BCW Mgr
2015 - Mailroom
2016 - Mailroom Mgr
2017 - took off a summer
2018 & 2019 & 2021 - Special Projects Coordinator

Notable Mentions
Chris McCarthy Standard
Mitch Standard
Doug Palmer
Georgia - PC at French
Amy Long - First BCM
Dwight
Johnny Ulibarri
Gene Schnell
Rachel Ricklefs
Linda Anderson
Steve Nelson

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Savren Nelson is that person who's not afraid to try something new and even take it to the next level of entrepreneurship.  Savren is a warm, intelligent, and talented individual  who currently works in public health while at the same time, runs her jewelry business, S Designs.  She discusses her time at Philmont, highlighting the COPE programs, positive examples of backcountry leadership, and the dynamic challenges of being on seasonal staff during the Ute Park fire of 2018.

Philmont Experience
2015 - PC Carson Meadows
2016 - PC Dan Beard
2017 - ACD (Assistant Camp Director) Head of Dean
2018 - CD Sawmill - Season cancelled due to Ute Park Fire
2019 - CD Dan Beard
2020 BCM - Season cancelled due to pandemic 

Notable Mentions:
Claire Ficke
Rhiannon Nelson
Lela Puckett Murphy "LP"
Grant Reigleman
Tyler DuBard
Sean Murphy
Pete Scifres 
Alex Handel
Maddy Brown
Bucko Cowden

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Silver On the Sage is celebrating one year of successful podcasting today!  Dylan McDermott, singer-songwriter of the podcast song "Confluence" joins me to reflect and recollect.  We share fun trivia, podcast stats, and memories.  Today Dylan earns a living, loving what he does as a music teacher, local performer, and luthier.   

I raise my glass to everyone who has interviewed, donated, suggested content, and supported the show through and through.  Let's keeping hiking!  

Philmont Experience
2012 - PC Beaubien
2013 - PC Crater / PC Pueblano

Notable Mentions:
Carly Ficke McDermott - Jive Bookkeeping
Larry McLaughlin - Philmont Documentary
Tim Collver
Tim Borden
Jimmy Lowe
Rachel Hadaway
Dan Edwards
Chris Sawyer
Phil Lewis
Karl Hubbard
Romero Banjos
Gallup Guitar School
Caroline Ficke Johnson
Claire Ficke

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Although 8 years apart, Mandy Glenn-Clay and Tracy Glenn-Applegate,  experienced Scouting and Philmont together, and the impact it had on their lives resonates still today. The Glenn sisters share their Philmont origin stories and discuss various encounters with wildlife, the challenges of being female in Scouting in the 80's, and their appreciation for teachable moments and learning how to effectively communicate within a team setting.  Like may of us, they praise the Philmont staff community for its ability to support one another and maintain life-long friendships.

Philmont Experience Tracy:
1981 - 1984, 1992 - Trek participant

1985 - CHQ Food Service
1986 & 1987 - Ranger
1988 - Solo Conservationist at Lover's Leap Camp
1989 - Conservationist at Indian Writings (building trail from 6 mile to IW).
1990 - Associate Director of Conservation with Julie Smith Vigil

Philmont Experience Mandy:
1989, 1990, 1992 -Trek Participant

1993 - CHQ Food Service
1994 - Conservationist at Santa Claus Camp
1999 - PC Crooked Creek
 
Notable Mentions (please contact me to correct any spelling errors!)
Lori and Bill Waugh
Grizz Deal
Cliff Waetje
Mariah Hughes
Hunter Schappaugh
Peter Trebold
Julie Vigil
Lee Hughes "Fluffy"
James Batner
Kevin Silard
Kirt Wolff "Lambo"
Mark Anderson

*Correction: Mariah Hughes was also part of the Conservation department in 1988. She was an EPC at Cito.

*For more information regarding the USAFA Cadet that Tracy mentions in this episode:
https://www.philstaff.org/service-academy-ranger-history/

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Beginning in 1950, the facilities surrounding the Villa Philmonte were built, and it became the National Training Center of the Boy Scouts of America - known today as the Philmont Training Center or PTC.

Today, Andrea Watson joins the show as an authority on the Philmont Training Center.  She first arrived at Philmont in 1986 as a 7 year old, on a trip to PTC with her family. 

Andrea describes PTC as a subset of the larger Philmont culture, where a melting pot of dynamic positions and departments unite to make the magic happen.   After working seasonally at PTC, Andrea became a District Executive for the BSA with the goal of some day returning as the PTC Associate Director of Program.  Andrea achieved her goal much quicker than anticipated and in 2011 was offered, and accepted the position. 

Today, Andrea continues to work for the BSA as the Director of Outdoor Programs and Properties.  She shares a brief update on new initiatives for PTC programs as the BSA continues to evolve.  These include, goals towards reaching more diverse families as well as families without a legacy or tradition of engaging in the outdoors.

Lastly, Andrea shares stories and love for the Philmont full-time community and the incredible hard work and sacrifice that they do, to enable Philmont to succeed year after year.  She challenges us all to recognize the importance of getting families outdoors - whether that be your immediate family, work family, or a family of friends.

Philmont Experience
Participant
’86, ’87, ’92: PTC Program
’95, ’96, ’97: Trek

Seasonal Staff
2000-2001: PTC Group Leader
2002: PTC Silverados Coordinator
2003: PTC Asst Program Director
2004: PTC Program Director
2002-2004: Fall/Winter Seasonal Staff at PTC

Full-Time Staff
2011-2015: Associate Director of Program – PTC

Notable Mentions:
Mark and Linda Anderson
Diane and John Clark
Shelley O'Neill
Amy Ray Hall
Coralie Graham

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From having little experience traveling, to the 3rd day on trek being on the Baldy Saddle, Mariah Hughes had a revelation, and her life was changed for the better.  She returned home and was unrecognizable to her friends. Mariah went on to work seasonally at Philmont Scout Ranch for 9 summers. During her time as a ranger, she lived for hike-in days and the freeing confidence that a map and compass gave her.  Mariah speaks about the fatal lighting strike in 1988, of her role as CD reopening two backcountry camps that had previously been closed (Dan Beard and Crooked Creek), and she shares a mysterious tale or two. Mariah holds the title of the first and only female Director of Conservation, which was a role that Doug Palmer encouraged her to undertake - and quote, “one of the best decisions she made while working at Philmont.” Today Mariah is the Director of Operations at Snow Mountain Ranch, YMCA of the Rockies and an avid world traveler.

Philmont Experience:
1978 & 1980 - Trek participant

1983 - Health Lodge receptionist
1984 - Ranger
1985 - Ranger
1987 - Ranger
1988 - Conservation Environmental PC at Cito
1989 - CD Dan Beard
1990 - CD Crooked Creek
1991 - Associate Director of Conservation
1992 - Director of Conservation.  First and only female to hold this title to date.

Notable Mentions:
Kathy Stanish Mead
Harper Davison
Cryse Canty 
Jodi Hitchcock
Suzanne Sumank
Rose Kazuba
Forky Rudin
Cindy Werhane
Lee Hughes
Doug Palmer
Rod Taylor
Dawn Chandler
Kathy Leech
Jane Munch
Mary Stuever

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For Pete Bergene, working on the Philmont Cabin Restoration team benefited him in such a way that he could not come up with aspects of his current professional life that weren’t directly traced back to it. In this episode, Pete shares a brief history of cabin restoration  and how it’s been managed by many different departments at the ranch. He shares a rich and descriptive overview of three large projects he was a part of, including - Cypher’s Mine stomp cabin, Valle Vidal Clayton Cabin, and the Fish Camp caretakers quarters. He also walks us through the basic cabin restoration process. Pete credits camp directors, outside contractors, and National Forest archeologists as being part of the bigger picture of the cabin restoration team experience. Lastly, Pete was asked to write the proposal for, and hold the role of the first ever, full-time cabin restoration position at the ranch.

Philmont Experience:
2007 & 2009 - Trek Participant

2014 - Cabin Restoration
2015- 2017 - Cabin Restoration Foreman
( Second Season: Kit Carson Museum staff, Autumn Adventure guide, Forestry Crew)
2018-2021 - Cabin Restoration Maintenance Technician / Carpentry, Full-Time

Notable Mentions:
David O'Neill
Mark Anderson
Anthony Martinez
Kyle Sawyer
Kelly Mazzanobile
Wayne Rutherverd
Carrie Leven
Heath Bailey
Kevin Doweling
Dave Werhane
Zach Seeger
Anna Washburne
Lela Puckett Murphy

Episode photograph is courtesy of Justin Kernes

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From the day that 16-year-old, Spencer Seim was given an opportunity to lead his crew at Philmont, he gained a newfound confidence - one that he would carry with him for years.  If given the opportunity to lead, one can excel.  Spencer returned as a Rayado participant, which he says was “training for the rest of his life.” Working as a Camp Director, Spencer praises the trust, responsibility, and freedom that Philmont handed him as a young adult. He found a love for blacksmithing in the backcountry, which he still does today as a professional fly-fishing guide - forging hooks, tying classic flies, and guiding in and around Taos, NM.

From the simple joys of being soaked in a rain storm while hiking the middle fork, to ghost stories and more - Spencer lives an intentional life, built upon what he experienced at Philmont - character building, preparedness practice, and how to stay inventive.

Philmont Experience
1991 Philmont trek participant
1992 Rayado trek participant

1993 Dining Hall 
1994 PC Cypher's Mine
1995 PC Black Mountain
1996 PC Miranda
1997 CD Miranda
1998 CD Pueblano
1999 CD Black Mountain

Notable Mentions:
Hunter Seim
Jeremy Spivey
Rod Taylor
Lisa Sutton
Sharon Walsh-Seim
Larry McLaughlin
Andy Gerhart
Chris Knoll
Sophia Seim
Doug Palmer
Jim Lovell - American Astronaut
Rob Hayduke
Michael Kendrick
Eric Locklier
Ron Power
Brent Huntington
(Spellings may be incorrect - please contact me to make corrections)

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Olivia Starich shares energetic insights from working in several different departments at the Ranch.  As a ranger she was impressed by the full-circle, lasting impact of participants who later returned to work on seasonal staff.  Working in the Infirmary was the kindling that helped fuel her current path as a student in medical school.  As a BCM, she acknowledges the effort and energy it takes from Philmont seasonal and full-time management to make the magic happen.  In that regard, for many Philmont staff, working hours are "can till can't."

Olivia worked at the ranch this past summer, 2021 - and she shares that there was a ranch-wide vibe of happy anxiety, as everyone was thrilled to be there and to welcome a lot of new faces after 2020 when the ranch was not in session due to the pandemic. 

Lastly, Olivia is also an avid descriptive writer, using the five senses to convey what she, and many of us, experience at Philmont.

Philmont Experience
2003, 2004, 2005 - PTC Participant (Mustangs, 11-13 y/o girls)
2007 - Mountain Trek
2009 - Rayado

2013 - Ranger
2014 - Mountain Trek Ranger
2015 - PC Head of Dean
2016 - CD Whiteman Vega
2017 - Infirmary Medical Services Staff/Driver
2018 - Infirmary Medical Services Staff/Driver
2019 - Backcountry Manager; Autumn Infirmary Staff
2020* - Associate Chief of Medical Services; joined PSA Scholarship Committee
2021 - Infirmary Volunteer; PSA Scholarship Committee

Notable Mentions:
Dawn Sally
Christine Salisbury
Eric Martinez
Chris Sawyer
Lela Puckett Murphy
Sam Schoevaars
Grant Reigleman
Nate Lay
Bridgett Hogan
Heidi Johnson
Caroline Davis
Sean Murphy
Mark Anderson
Stasha Beermann
Keith Nelson
Kyle Knoll
Pete Bergene
Yvonne Skrzypczak
Tim Bower

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