Silver On the Sage

In this episode, we chat about Mike's seasonal experiences in logistics, Baldy lightning strikes, and the happy chaos of running big camps like Cito.   Mike arrives with prompt intention, as we sip coffee, and discuss life goals - like how to take a leap into a new career or a new creative outlet.   Mike has published his first novel, The Long Walk Home .  Check it out in the link below, pre-...

Kicking off Season 10 of Silver On The Sage Podcast!  To celebrate, the legendary Eric Voss joins the show. Voss and I chat about the precious solitude of the remote backcountry in the 90s, 4th of July mishaps, cold beer, and more.  Voss made a substantial impact while at the ranch, through his positive energy and epic harmonica skills showcased on the Tobasco Donkeys albums. Philmont Experience:...

Scott discusses his work with the Philmont Ambassador Program. He also shares stories of burros and bears - and log rolling at Crater lake during his time on trek as a participant in the 70s.    Interested in becoming a Philmont Ambassador? Check out the Ambassador Resources here . Philmont Experience: 1975 - Trek Participant 2006 - Trek Advisor 2013 - Trek Advisor 2018 & 2021 - Wood Badge Sta...

In this episode, we chat about Tim's experience as a scout and USAFA Ranger.  Tim is the current Vice President of Service for the Philmont Staff Association.  From Phil-break and Volunteer Vacation to Service Corps and Special projects, if you're looking for a way to give back and go back to the ranch - this episode is for you! Philmont Experience: 1983 - Trek participant 1984 - Trek pa...

Inviting you to help us celebrate Dia De Los Muertos on the podcast! Please send in a audio recording of a story, a memory, or a lasting impact of a deceased loved one from Philmont Scout Ranch or surrounding New Mexico area.  Many of us have been touched by those larger than life figures - such as Gene Schenll, Doug Palmer, Joe Davis, Bob Funk, and more - but please feel free to include family me...

Dan Edwards, ironically hated backpacking until his first Philmont trek, where he learned to love it.  Specifically he learned to be comfortable being uncomfortable - because morale was so high and the backcountry camp camaraderie and activities were so impactful.   Philmont Experience: 2006 - Trek Participant 2012 - Ranger / Assistant Cook Beaubien 2013 - PC Crater Lake  2014 - PC Clarks Fork 201...

Thirty-five summers ago Gretchen followed her cousin out to Philmont Scout Ranch hoping to be offered a job.  Fate rewarded her, and she spent four  summers working at Camping headquarters dining hall.  Rather than bagging peaks and hiking expansive distances, Gretchen valued making connections with staff and campers daily in the dining hall. She fell in love with Philmont Scout Ranch, where learn...

Brian Hobrock is Philmont's current Ranch Department Livestock Technician and Chase Ranch cowboy.  As a young wrangler in the 80's, Brian encountered challenging moments that resulted in resilience and commitment to the cowboy way of life.  He shares stories as Bucky the Burro wrangler at Miranda, and how after 20 years away from the ranch, the mountains were still calling.   Philmont Ex...

Harold is a National Scouting Professional and museum specialist at the National Scouting Muesum.  He wears many hats, tending to exhibits, collections, electronic displays, virtual tours, and more.  He is also the creator of the popular Artifact of the Week video series, which highlights the history, culture, and influences of Philmont Scout Ranch and surrounding New Mexico areas.  Philmont Exper...

Troy credits Philmont for diversity exposure, alongside an environment of staff camaraderie and solidarity.  He shares numerous stories including the Flip SAR incident, the Cypher's Mine Dirty Boys,  and a tobasco donkey spa day gone wrong.   Philmont Experience: 1986 - NJLIC (the National Junior Leader Instructor Camp) 1987 - Rayado participant  1988 - Trail Crew participant 1989 - CHQ Tradi...

Today I chat with third generation Philmonter, Will Kemple-Taylor.  Both his grandparents and parents worked at the ranch.  And He grew up creek stomping in the Uracca, building forts in scrub oak, and embodying the notion of wild and untamed.   In this special episode to kick off summer, Will chats about youthful pranks gone wrong, the good vibes of backcountry shows, award winning Camp Directors...

Max Wang is a life long-Scouter and Eagle Scout.  His scouting journey has taken him from one cost to another, and today he continues to be active in Sea Scouts in Arlington, VA.  Max recounts impactful stories from his time on trek as a participant, and highlights the various transferable skills he learned while working in Logistics in 2017 - including emergency management and incident command. ...

Mark joins the show to highlight the sustainable impact and dedicated work that the Philmont Service Corps has accomplished throughout the last year and a half.  In the second portion of our conversation, Mark shares a collection of stories from his many, many experiences at Philmont Scout Ranch. Philmont Experience:  Trek - 1978 1979 1991 2022 Rayado Trek - 1980 1981 Food Service 1982 83 Ranger 1...

Today I want to highlight a parent perspective of the impact that Scouting can have on ones family.  Specifically the family of Tom and Georgia Stoeber. Tom is a 60 year veteran of the BSA, including 25 years working as a Scouting professional.  The values of Scouting and, in particular participating in Philmont treks - gave their children leadership skills, a can do attitude, confidence to engage...

Molly Gatewood joins the show to highlight the important work of the Philmont Training Center Housekeeping department.  From bathrooms and luxury tents to the mailroom and Villa Philmonte, the housekeeping staff at Philmont is integral in delivering quality experiences for participants and staff alike.  As an avid Scouter - Molly praises the organization for creating opportunities for  youth to bu...

Today Arizona Duff joins the show.  She discusses her first experience on trek, navigating the fundamental challenges and shifts that occur while on the trail.  Namely - several moments at Cypher's Mine where she began to feel the love of the Philmont staff family, as they invited her onto the stomp stage to play a tune.   Fast forward to 2018 - Arizona examines her journey in Timber Stand Im...

This year, 2025, the Philmont Training Center will celebrate 75 years of service as the National Volunteer Training center for Scouting America.  To commemorate this milestone, PTC staff and volunteers are planning a summer long celebration including a special anniversary week from June 29 - July 5.  Today, Dennis Kampa and Nancy Farrell share details, schedules, history and more. Dennis Kampa ema...

Today Kara Noonan Stevens joins the show to share her experiences on staff in the 90s and on staff last summer at the Welcome Center.  She describes the Welcome Center as "Philmont's Front Porch."  It's where all crews begin their Philmont journey, and hence makes an important first impression.  It's also a place where Welcome center staff can work hard and be able to rela...

Dan and Karen Ashton met at Philmont in 1977, and recently celebrated 31 years of marriage.  Their story is untraditional and adventurous - much like the paths we traverse in the rugged backcountry hills.  The couple shares stories as though we were casually grouped around a campfire, like old friends do.   Philmont Experience Dan: 1973 & 1974 – Trek participant 1975 – Kit Carson Man Trek 1976...

Happy birthday Silver On the Sage Podcast!  Today the podcast begins it's fifth year of sharing stories and highlighting the immeasurable impact that Philmont has had on all of our lives. As of today, the show has totaled 95,000 downloads. We have aired 166 episodes, and reached audiences in over 13 countries, and 315 cities.  I'm so honored to continue to host and produce this podcast,...

David is currently the Director of Wilderness Adventures at Northern Tier, and was formerly a Senior Associate Director of Program at Philmont Scout Ranch.  During his thirteen year tenure at Philmont he implemented several new safety and risk management procedures, enhanced Philmont's shooting sports program, expanded backcountry instrument inventory, refined backcountry warehouse usage data...

Today we travel to 2012 when Jeremy Cunningham and I, along with several other phenomenal individuals, spent the summer at Beaubien - calling it our home.  This episode is special for me because it's the first interview I've done with a fellow staff member. Jeremy and I chat about his one and only summer on staff - the family bond amongst co-workers, working hard to delivery a world clas...

As we close out Season 8 of Silver On the Sage Podcast - I share with you an episode from the vault.  In late spring of 2021 I interviewed my sister Claire Ficke.  We had intentions to co-host the podcast that summer, but - had to delay the idea.  All the same - this episode still holds relevance, meaning, and nuggets of wisdom too good not to share.    Philmont Experience: 2013 - PC Beaubien 2014...

In today's episode I get to chat with the current Director of Program at the Philmont Training Center, Maddy Houk. In addition to discussing what this new era of PTC has to offer, we highlight the success of a special project that Maddy is very passionate about - the Zia Experience.  The Zia experience is a modified BSA Family Adventure Camp program focusing on giving Scouts with special need...

Eric Locklar, known to several of you as Lock, joins the show to share many a story and a heartfelt appreciation for all that Philmont Scout Ranch has given him. From the Ponil Rootbeer challenege to the 1996 Harlan Tornado radio call - Lock embodies the spirit of work hard, play hard.  He expresses his dedication to the Philmont scouting experience and to the late Doug Palmer as a mentor and life...