I’ve known of Ellie Nickens Turner for quite some time - she’s friends with my friends, she's a Tobasco Donkeys member, and in the evenings, her fiddle and vocals fill my kitchen as I sweep. I was able to spend quality time with her in 2023 at Philmont, and felt that instant, familiar connection as a fellow staffer, mom, and adventure seeker.

Philmont Experience:
2003 - Mountain Trek participant
2004 - Mountain Trek participant
2005 - Rayado participant

2006 - Ranger / Tobasco Donkeys
2007 - Ponil
2008 - Rich Cabins

Notable Mentions:
Kyle Egmeyer
Robert Fudge
Dirty Larry
Doug Palmer
Michael Henneberry
Andy Gerhart
Mike
Peter Bingen
Ry Taylor
Rod Taylor
Tim Collver
GS Harper
Iron John Logan
Allison Vinson DeFrees
Abby Cashman Hugivman
Meg (Graham) and Dave Plumb
Jimmy Lowe
Michael and Martin Stamat

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Today we continue our Advisors of Philmont mini-series with Steve Chase.  To prepare for his role as a first time lead Advisor, Steve participated in the Philmont Advisor Skills School also known as the PASS program.  Steve shares his insights including the importance of nominating a crew leader prior to arriving at Philmont, preparing the crew for potential disappointments consequential to inclement weather or injuries on the trail, and the pros and cons of the Father/Son dynamic within the crew.
 
Philmont Experience:
1997 - Security staff
1998 - Ranger
1999 - Rayado Ranger
2022 - Lead Advisor 7 Day Trek

Notable Mentions:
Dwight Stein
David Setzer
Ranger Janell
Luke Heidal
Tobasco Donkeys
Rod Taylor
Ranger Andrew
Jeff Cress
Facebook: Philmont Trek Talk - Prep, News, Info
Kathleen's Burrito Banquet
Steve Nelson

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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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