Silver On the Sage

"To ensure that every person had the best program that they could possibly have."

In this weeks episode, I'm excited to chat with Katy (Cox) McCallon about the innerworkings of the Philmont Training Center (PTC).  Katy's Philmont staff experience is rooted in family and Scouting.  As a youth, Katy enjoyed participating in Venturing, earning the Outdoor Bronze, Gold, Ranger, Silver, and council Venturing Leadership Awards. Katy's parents met at Philmont back in 1984.  Katy went on to meet and marry a fellow staffer herself - Jesse McCallon.  The two met in 2011, were engaged atop the Tooth of Time, and married at the Villa 2014! Katy credits her experience working at PTC to her career roles in Human Resources, and her current commitment to give back to local Scouting as a Volunteer.  Thank you Katy! 

Philmont Years
2009-2014, PTC Seasonal Registrar

Katy would like to support the Seton Museum,
 https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/museums/

Dawn Chandler Artwork,
https://www.taosdawn.com/

and Eric Martinez photography
https://photomartinez.com/

Support the show

“You get to experience nature better because you're in it, for every sunrise and sunset.”

Philmont Years
2010 - Conservationist at Beaubien (promoted to lead)
2011 - Conservationist Saw Crew at Copper Park
2013 - Conservationist Saw Crew Forman - various locations 

Matt Galchus, also known as, “Matty G!” gives a candid yet professional interview about his time working seasonally in the Philmont conservation department, and contributing today via PSA Volunteer Vacation. Matt currently lives in Upstate New York and has found success in many aspects of life, including his entrepreneurial endeavor to combat irritation from spicy food consumption!  With humor and wisdom, Matt gives an inside perspective of his experience as a backcountry conservationist.

*Notes: 

• The fire that Matt mentioned was the Whites Peak Fire which started on June 13, 2013. It threatened Philmont’s southern border, hence evacuating the southernmost backcountry camps. Thankfully the fire was contained and did not reach the Ranch itself.  
• Regarding the Conservationist short-shorts fad, the man that Matt wants to credit is the one and only - Michael Serio. 
• Lastly, it turns out that the internet in the Des Moines, Iowa area is not always reliable. Still working to trouble-shoot this! Whew. 

Check out Matt’s dietary supplement: After Burn at https://afterburnsupplement.com/ You can purchase a sample of the supplement, t-shirt with the epic logo, and more! 

Matt also wants to support Philmont alumni Justin Kernes and his latest book Last Summer At Camp. https://www.justinkernes.com  

For more on this episode visit the website: https://silveronthesagepod.wixsite.com/philmont 

Support the show

A quick introduction of the podcast and what listeners can expect to hear each week!

Visit https://silveronthesagepod.wixsite.com/philmont for more information about Silver On the Sage Podcast.

Thank you for listening!

Your Host,
Caitlin Lowe

Support the show

Michael Stamat, North Carolina native, joins me for a witty chat, discussing his four years working security staff at Philmont. Hop in the car and journey with Stamat from coast to coast, as he picks up staffers along the way, and arrives at Philmont in time for summer staff training. Go behind-the-scenes with Stamat has he de-bunks myths of mischief and shares stories of the chance situations that security staff encounter. Life-long Scouter and camper, Stamat shares a unique and full-circle perspective of the many positive benefits that camp communities offer.  *Stamat had some facts wrong.  Rick informed him that the Red Dawn scene was NOT filmed in Cimarron, but was filmed in Las Vegas, NM.  Thank you Stamat for getting us the correct information! 

Philmont Years

• 2009 - Security
• 2010 - Security
• 2011 - Security
• 2012 - Security

Stamat would like to ask folks to reach out to their local Council and sign up to be merit badge counselors, offer to help with High Adventure crew preparations, or get involved with local troops/packs. "We can't forget that without Scouting, Philmont won't exist."

Visit https://silveronthesagepod.wixsite.com/philmont for more about this episode!

Support the show

Kira comes alive in this episode sharing stories about her misfit adventure that led her to Philmont as a participant in 2004, and then again as a staff member in 2008.  She shares her love for Indian Writings, where with her staff she re-invented program utilizing innovative tactics, making the camp irresistible to all participants and visitors. Kira shares about her unique, and life-changing interactions with staff leadership, which allowed her to grow and overcome challenges.  Thank you Kira, for being my second ever interviewee!  Your storytelling is top-notch and your candid personality is infectious.  Cheers friend!  

Philmont Years

• 2004 - Participant (702-k8)
• 2008 - Program Counselor Clarks Fork
• 2009 - Program Counselor Cypher's Mine
• 2012 - Camp Director/Archaeologist Indian Writings
• 2011 - Camp Director Cypher's Mine

Follow along and subscribe to Kira's YouTube channel, where she covers an array of genres from Avett Brothers and Lord of the Rings to traditional folk tunes and musical theatre. https://www.youtube.com/c/KiraRedzinak

Visit https://silveronthesagepod.wixsite.com/philmont for more about this episode!

Support the show

In this episode, I get to chat with Lela Murphy, the great-granddaughter of Waite Phillips. We discuss the benefits of Lela's diverse positions on Philmont staff, and how it allowed her to better connect with and appreciate the Ranch as a whole. We touch on timely topics such as implications of being a female in the Ranger department, and the oddities of ranch-wide departmental rivalries. Lela is married to her soulmate and Phil-fling, Sean Murphy, and shares heart-warming moments of their time together at Philmont. Lela is currently working as a second grade teacher in Texas, with aspirations to one day teach in non-traditional learning environments.

Lela was my very first interviewee. I'm so thankful for her willingness and genuine support of this podcast. Her humble and down-to-earth personality, mixed with her energy of good vibes, makes her a true motivator and model servant-leader. Thanks Lela! Keep the stoke high!

Philmont Years

• 2012 - Villa Tour Guide
• 2013 - Ranger
• 2014 - PC Head of Dean
• 2015 - CD Carson Meadows
• 2016 - CD Head of Dean
• 2017 - Infirmary Driver
• 2017 - Winter PTC

Lela wants to support fellow Philmont alumni, Savren Nelson and her small jewelry business at www.sdesigns.org. 

Lela also wants to support the family and friends of Abe Platzer who recently passed away. Abe was a PC at Carson Meadows in 2015.  Donations can be sent to the Philmont Staff Association.  More info on the website below:

Visit https://silveronthesagepod.wixsite.com/philmont for more about this episode!

Support the show