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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Today's episode features two seasonal staffers who are currently at the ranch for the 2023 summer season: Kiley Conner - Base Camp Manager and Chase Anderson - Chief Ranger.  They speak of their goals to impact lives in the same fashion that their own lives were changed for the better by the Philmont experience.

Keith Walters 100th Maverick Rodeo posters and prints
 
Philmont Experience:
Kiley Conner
2016 - 12 day trek
2017 - Ranger / Fall Forestry Work Crew
2018 - Ranger / TSI
2019 - Ranger Trainer / Autumn Guide
2020 - Service Academy Coordinator (RIP) / Autumn Guide
2021 - Autumn Cavalcade participant
2023 - Base Camp Manager

Chase Anderson
2009 - 12 day trek
2017 - Ranger / Autumn Guide / Winter Adventure Guide/Coordinator
2018 - Ranger Trainer/TSI and Autumn Guide
2019 - Ranger Trainer / Autumn Guide
2020 - Associate Chief Ranger (RIP) / Autumn Guide
2021 - Autumn Cavalcade participant
2023 - Chief Ranger

Notable Mentions:
Chris Burk
Bill Chris
Eric Martinez
Todd Krentz
Ruel Holt
Sarah Roytech
Kat Rassussen
Caitlin Cormichael
Carson McCrea
Phillip Ferrier
Tim Collver

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Allison (Vinson) DeFrees joins the show to chat about our connection to Philmont via the concept of Sense of Place.   

Philmont Experience:
2006 - ROCS participant
2007 - PC Dan Beard
2008 - PC Rich Cabins
2009 - CD Urracca
2010 - Invasive Species Specialist, Autumn Guide
2012 - Trek participant
2013 - Logistics / Jamboree
2018 - 2019 - Full time PSR resident

Notable Mentions
Chris Reed
Robert Reed
Allison King
Kari Anderson
Kelly Tobin
Laura Munch 
Mary Stuver
Dave Bates
Mark Anderson
John Celley
Randa Celley
Mark Bryson
Ben Sparks
Cliff Eade
Tim Collver
Tobasco Donkeys
Ellie Nickens Turner
Iron John Logan
Rosendo Gallegos
Seth Mangini
Rod Taylor
Dave Plumb
Chris Sawyer
Sam DeFrees
Jim and Marianne MacGilivray
Dave Kopsa
Pete Bergone
Joe Duffield
Molly Hariston
Jason Maz

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Louise (Lopez) Mesaric was born in Santa Fe in 1941 and grew up in Cimarron, NM.  In this episode she shares fond memories of living at Philmont with her late husband, Larry Mesaric who worked full-time for the ranch as a horseman and cattle foreman from the early 1960s to early 1970s. 

Notable Mentions:
Leo Martinez
Aunt Rosie
Rudolph Schwartz
McDaniels Ranch
Boss Sanchez
Bengie Vargas
Mike Vargas
Larry Mesaric
Charlie and Esther
John and Margarette
John Mayner
Richard Munger
Laura Mesaric
Tracy Mesaric
Mr. Junker
Mr. Davis
Felipe
Pappy Schall
Gretchen Sammis
Gene Pompi
Grandpa Chase
Henry Lambert
David Adere
Eddie, Arabella, Gloria Sanchez
Grace and Bud
Vera Gourley
James Sitzberger
Larry Davis

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Rod Taylor, Eagle Scout and Texas native, worked full-time as a Philmont cowboy and Cattle Foreman for 34 years. Before that he trekked twice as a participant and worked seasonally for 5 summers.  Today he enjoys retirement and resides in Cimarron, NM.

2023 Philmont Wrangler Reunion website

Closing song by Jessica Seifert, Slim Uribe-Goertz, and Rod Taylor.

Philmont Experience:
1972 - Participant
1973 - Participant
1974 - PC French Henry
1975 - PC Beaubien
1976  - Wrangler Beaubien
1977 - Horseman Beaubien
1978 - Cavalcade Horseman
1983-2017 - Full-time Cowboy

Notable Mentions:
Patti Taylor
Steve Lewis
Carol Munch
Boss Sanchez
Bob Knox
Bob Rickleffs
Doug Johnson
Ben Sloan
Chope Phillips
Ben Vargas
Jane Munch
Chuck Enloe
Pep and Donna Archuleta
Hank Wiesscamp
Mollie Gruver
Margie Martinez
Joanne & Wiggs Martinez
Ry Taylor
Mason Taylor
Will Taylor
Jesse Martinez
Gene Schenell
Chris Hogan
Brian Thompson
Johnny Nelson
Doug Johnson
Jeremiah Johnson

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Christine (Salisbury) Sammons joins the show to discuss her nine summers working in the Ranger department, three of which she served as Philmont’s Chief Ranger. 

Show notes link: 2023 Wrangler Reunion

Philmont Experience:
2004 - Trek participant
2005 & 06 - Ranger
2007 & 08 - Ranger Trainer
2009 &10 - Associate Chief Ranger
2009 - Fall autumn guide
2010 - Fall autumn coordinator
2011 - 2013 - Chief Ranger
2014 - Outfitting Services Manager

Notable Mentions
Mark Anderson
Chris Sawyer
Kirstin Anderson
Jada Day 
Eric Martinez
Jenna Anderson

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Today Jason Maz joins the show.  We discuss everything from neurodivergence, native bee populations, and canoe portaging at Wilson Mesa to the challenges of the Rayado Trek Coordinator role and the operational processes that take place during a Philmont Search and Rescue.  Jason lives in the mountains of Vermont and works as a contracted ecologist, University educator, and economic pollination researcher. 

"Why We Run," featuring Bernd Heinrich

WATERMAN FUND ESSAY WINNER: Splitting Clouds at the Edge of the World: How Had I Never Noticed It Before? by Jason Mazurowski

Philmont Experience:
2011 - Ranger
2012 - Ranger trainer
2013 - Rayado trek coordinator
2014 - Assistant Chief Ranger (ACR)
2015 - ACR

Second seasons:
Autumn 2013 - Maintenance
Winter 2013/14 - Winter adventure guide
Autumn 2014 - Autumn adventure guide
Winter 2014/15 - Winter adventure coordinator

Notable Mentions:
Collin Bowser
Jason Contino
Andy Taylor
Eric Martinez
Bernd Heinrich
Mark Anderson

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As a city kid, Jack was initially apprehensive about trekking at Philmont and taking on true High Adventure. But in 2017, as an 18 year old on trek, they had the time of their life. Jack was deeply inspired by the music and the people, and simply could not believe a place like Philmont existed.
  
Today’s episode closes with Train song by the Metcalf 2022 staff, from their album titled “Sally No. 1 Pride and Glory.”

Photo credit: Marielle Scott

Philmont Experience:
2017 - Regular Trek Participant
2018 - TSI Crew/PC Beaubien
2020 - PC Pueblano (Covid, never was)
2021 - PC Pueblano
Fall 2021 - Forestry Crew (Injured, never was)
2022 - PC Metcalf Station
2023 - CD Urraca

Notable Mentions:
Ford Lee
Erin Duffy
Mary Laben
Kevin Dowling
Annie Anderson
Bonnie Miller
Paul French
Elliot Hoinbell
David O’Neill
George Birch
Steve Nelson
Garret Witherington

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Zak shares his love for Zastrow and contends that the role of Camp Director is the best job on the ranch.  And that Philmont is the perfect environment for growing young adults - where problem solving and self-sufficiency is demanded of you.
 
YouTube link to The Agitators - backcountry musical from Crater Lake 2011

Note: The drawing of Zak climbing a tree and pulling lightning from the sky -
The drawing was done by Brandon Thomas, who worked at Philmont in 2011.

Closing song: "All Men are my Brothers." Sung by Zak and Karl Sparks.

Philmont Experience:
2003 - Regular trek
2006 - Regular trek
2007 - PC Zastrow
2008 - PC Pueblano
2009 - PC Black Mountain
2010 - PC Pueblano
2011 - CD Crater Lake
2014 - PSA Staff Trek
2019 - PSA Staff Trek
2021 - PSA Staff Trek

Notable Mentions:
Tim Collver
Sarah Dunn-Rankin

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