Kicking off our next mini-series: Advisors of Philmont Scout Ranch.   

Chris Ford has been continuously registered with BSA since 1962 when he joined cub scouts.  In 1973 he was offered a late contract to be a Ranger, but had to decline.  Since then he’s been on 9 treks, 7 of which have been co-ed.  He estimates that he's hiked over 700 miles at Philmont.  Representing Venturing, he shares his experiences as an Advisor.

Philmont Experience:
1971 - Trek participant, crew leader
1995 - Council Contingent Leader
2006 - Council Contingent Leader 
2008 - Council Contingent Leader
2010 - Lead Advisor 
2012 - Lead Advisor
2014 - Lead Advisor
2018 - Lead Advisor - Cancelled: Ute Park Fire.
2019 - Crew Planner (did not trek)
2021 - Lead Advisor 

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For today’s guest, Pete Scifres, immersing himself in the wonderous and simple rhythms of nature while on staff at Philmont Scout Ranch, freed him from the ramifications of years as a combat engineer in the US army.  Pete discusses the challenges of going from military style leadership to Philmont leadership, the fulfilling opportunity to work on the heavy equipment crew after the Ute Park fire in 2018, and his affinity for the Cimarron 4th of July rodeo. Today Pete works as a professional gunsmith in Albuquerque, NM and returns to the ranch each summer to help train the firearms specialist.

Philmont Experience:
2015 - PC Sawmill
2017 - CD Harlan
2018 - Winter TOTT Clerk.  CD Miranda/Heavy equipment crew. Fall Cons
2019 - BCM.  Fall Cons - Masticator Operator
2020 - BCM (Cancelled due to covid).
2021 - BCW Firearms specialist

Notable Mentions:
Grant Reigleman
Carter Smith
Carson Mcray
Sean Murphy
Charlie Beaser
John Celley
Jordan Meade

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I was inspired by today’s guests, Liz and Bob Bush, in their accomplishment of operating and owning a business that they refer to as “they’re own backcountry camp.”  At Buckley’s Mountainside Canoes, you’ll find Liz the logistics coordinator and Bob the Porch Director, there to ensure all enjoy the Chippawa River in Isabella county, Michigan.

Philmont Experience:

Bob
1991 - Trek participant
1994 - Trek participant
1994 - Ranger (trail hire)
1995 - Ranger (Rayado 2nd season)
1996 - PC Pueblano
1997 - PC Cyphers Mine
1998 - CD Crater Lake

Liz
1995 - Rayado participant
1996 - Ranger
1997 - Rayado Ranger
1998 - CD Abreu

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My personal favorite version of Peggy-O is that sung by Ben Hoffman at the Crater Lake campfire bowl in 2011.  My second favorite version is by Nicholas Edward Williams, on his album titled Folk Songs For Old Times' Sake. Third favorite is a reggae version by Goose on The Summit.

For the rest of the story - check out today’s episode with special guest host Jo Bob of Camp Kids Podcast!

Philmont Experience:
2007 - PC Beaubien
2008 - PC Crooked Creek
2009 - Photographer NPS
2010 - CD Fish Camp
2011 - CD Abreu
2012 - CD Beaubien
2013 - Backcountry Manager

2017 - 2019: PSA Board of Directors

2021 - Present: Host and Producer Silver On the Sage Podcast

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Donnie discusses summiting the peaks of life - once you've conquered one, chase another.  Don't stay put, keep moving, creating, and growing.  Find people who support that in your life.

Philmont Experience:
1996 - OATC Participant
2002 - Work crew / Fire Rehab 
2003 - Miranda
2004 - CD Clear
2005 - CD Pueblano 
2006 & 2007 - Fire Ecology Specialist, Unit 98 

Notable Mentions:
John Clark
Unkl aka Bruce Wagner
Troy Leewright
Marcus Rynerson
David O'Neill
Ryan Mysky
Adam Throptburn
Owen Cook
Anita
Blake Longworth
John Schroder
Andrew Bass
Tim Collver
Johnathan Short
Doug Palmer
Mark Anderson
Allison Vinson
Bob Ricklefs
Seth Mangini
Trisha Brown
Nancy Coleman
Jackie Clark Zenzin
Devan Collier
Wayne Graham
Martin Gibson

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Silver On the Sage podcast’s largest group interview yet - thee original 1997 staff who wrote and performed Trail the Rock Opera at Cyphers Mine on this very day - August 9th - 26 years ago.  In addition, PJ Parmar joins the conversation - not only was he in the audience on the night of the original performance, but he also led the remake of Trail the rock opera in 2003.  In this interview we discuss the forbidden love affair between Johnny Tread and Molly McCloud and of course the origin of the impactful tune “I Don’t Mind.” 

Episode Sponsor: Zia Fly

Notable Mentions:
Larry McLaughlin
Evan McLaughlin
Topher Busch
Jason Gaskin
James Bakner
Bill Spice
Doug Palmer

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To wrap up Season 6, Jon and Kim Copeland share their stories and highlight the work they’re doing to maintain and encourage the Duty to God aspect of Scouting. Today, Jon and Kim are active participants in Philmont’s Chapel Refurbishment project, led by Chaplain Chip Turner and the Association of Baptists for Scouting.

Philmont Experience Jon:
1988 & 90 - Trek participant
1991 - Rayado Participant
1992 - Ranger
1993 - Ranger
1994 - Logistics
2015 & 2019 - Trek advisor
2021, 22, & 23 - Association of Baptist Scouts: Chapel Refurbishment
2014 - current: PSA Tech Committee, PSA Facebook page Admin

Philmont Experience Kim:
1994 - PTC Assistant South Tent City Manager
2002 - Ladies Autumn Adventure trek

Notable Mentions:
Doug Fasching
Dollie O'Neill
Steve Nelson
Steve and Doug Rayado Rangers
Chip Turner
Dale and Donna Copeland
Tom Giugni
Doug Fasching
Sam and Allison DeFrees

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Today I bring you an interview with current Philmont staffer, Paul French.  We kick it off by chatting about Paul’s experiences as a participant on Rayado.  We go on to discuss Paul’s passion for Philmont’s interpretive backcountry program, and how it’s a gateway to spark curiosity and humanize history.  Paul also shares his thoughts on current restraints on seasonal staffing including compensation and accessibility.

Philmont Experience:
2014 - 12 day trek participant
2015 - Rayado participant
2017 - Activities Staff
2018 - Ranger / TSI
2019 - PC Metcalf Station
2021 - CD Pueblano
2022 - CD Metcalf Station
2022 Fall - Backcountry Warehouse Clerk / Winter - BCW Manager
2023 - CD Baldy town

Notable Mentions:
Trevor Lombardi
Tucker Baker
Andrew Hendrix
Eric Witherington
Matt Shoemaker
Elliot Hoinville
Jack Siebert
Cormac Losbrook
Jack Holesure
David O'Neill
Arizona Duff

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An informative and thoughtful interview with current Associate Director of Camping, Phillip Ferrier.   We discuss the dynamic aspects of Human Resources - from staff training and discipline to cultural diversity and inclusiveness.  We also consider the recruitment needs for future staff and participants.

Notable Links:
Sherry Hamilton, Cimarron High School art teacher, organizes international trips for the high school kids through a group she’s called the Cimarron World Travelers.

Elevation Sound & Events 

BSA Experience:

• Camp Tapico (Michigan Crossroads Council) -  Summers of 2002-2007 & 2010-2012: Counselor in Training, Aquatics staff, Handicraft Director, Head Commissioner, COPE & Climbing Director, Program Director
• Camp Turrell (Northern New Jersey Council) – 2008 Summer: Pathfinder (First Year Camper) Director
• Florida Sea Base - 2012 Spring; 2013 Spring, Summer & Autumn, 2014 Spring, 2014-2015 winter: Coral Reef Mate, Sea Exploring Mate, Sailing Commissioner
• Summit Bechtel Reserve (Paul R. Christen High Adventure Base) - 2014 Summer & Autumn: Climbing Manager
• Summit Bechtel Reserve – February 2015 to May 2019: Director, James C. Justice National Scout Camp
• Philmont Scout Ranch – June 2019 to present: Associate Director of Camping – Base Camp Operations & Seasonal Personnel

Notable Mentions:
Nick Hutchinson
Shelley O'Neill
Steve Nelson
Chris Sawyer
Eric Martinez
Owen McCulloch
John Van Dreese
David O'Neil
Nate Lay
Austin St. George
Monic Turney
Joey Martinez
Derek Shiney
Slim Uribe-Goertz
Bryan Hayck
Tom Hellming
Betty
Jo
Heather
Kim Taylor
Carrie Hariston
Beth Carole
Ben Herman
Stosha
Ben Harper
Rob Ridgeway
Dave Kopsa
Issac
Troy
Ryan Jackson
Sherry Hamilton
Matt Hart
Mike Baretta

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Philmont staff trail hire, Cameron Loechl joins the show.  Cameron was hired off the trail in 2004 to be a cook at Beaubien. We have fun discussing that transition from participant to staff, and the immense amount of responsibility Philmont entrusts in its seasonal staff each summer.

He shares stories of impromptu Tobasco Donkeys concerts at Cypher’s mine, Fourth of July mud wrestling, The 2006 Casa Fire that threatened Philmont property, and more.

CureSearch Ultimate Hike - Support Barb Loechl

Philmont Experience:
1999 - Trek participant
2004 - Trek participant
2004 - Beaubien cook, hired off the trail
2005 - PC Sawmill
2006 - Cabin Restoration

Notable Mentions:
Chris Ford
Kim and Jenny Ford
Eric
Liz Bleeker
Mario Cambardella
Rick Smith aka Dirty Rick
Dirty Larry McLaughlin
Andy Gerhart
Iron John Logan

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