Hike On

Marking the final episode of Season 2 of Hike On, this episode explores the power that challenging work in Philmont's backcountry holds for participants. Along trails and streams, through forests and pastures countless Scouts over the years have been deeply impacted through their work with the Conservation Department. We explore this theme with a participant from an Order of the Arrow Trail Crew trek this past summer, learning what these lasting, positive impacts are and examining what benefits a special trek holds for its participants. Learn more: philmontscoutranch.org Thank you to Taos Mountain Outfitters for supporting our storytelling projects: taosmountainoutfitters.com

This past summer Philmont hosted its first ever trail race. Featuring four races, a 50-miler, marathon, heavy half (18-miles) and Tooth Ridge sprint, participants from across the country came to the Ranch to race. Today on Hike On we explore what it meant to the participants to be a part of this new direction for Philmont and what it meant to them to experience the backcountry in this unique way. Learn more: philmontscoutranch.org Thank you to Taos Mountain Outfitters for supporting our storytelling projects: taosmountainoutfitters.com

Did you know that you could adventure through Philmont's mountains on horseback? During a weeklong Cavalcade you'll ride along streams, through meadows and through our forests as you travel from camp to camp while experiencing Philmont in a special way. This week on Hike On we explore what a Cavalcade trek is like, what it means to its participants and how the West is brought to life through this unique lens. Learn more: philmontscoutranch.org Thank you to Taos Mountain Outfitters for supporting our storytelling projects: taosmountainoutfitters.com

2022 marks two important anniversaries: the 50th anniversary of women in the Ranger Department and the 50th anniversary of the Service Academy program. For 50 years, women have shaped the Ranger Department for the better and the United States' military academies have sent students to serve as rangers, providing a valuable resource for Philmont and life-changing leadership experience for the students. Today we explore both of these anniversaries through stories from rangers who have seen Philmont in all its forms across these past five decades. Learn more: philmontscoutranch.org Thank you to Taos Mountain Outfitters for supporting our storytelling projects: taosmountainoutfitters.com

For countless Scouts, backcountry music has taught them the land's history and inspired a deeper Philmont experience. This vital aspect of a Philmont trek is one cherished by participants and staff alike. Today we explore music's role in changing the lives of all who pass along these trails. Learn more: philmontscoutranch.org Thank you to Taos Mountain Outfitters for supporting our storytelling projects: taosmountainoutfitters.com

Return to the laughter and good times found at Philmont by stepping into the camper dining hall. The basecamp dining hall is where Scouts heading out onto the trail and returning from trek anxiously await departure and swap stories. Today we explore those stories by joining crews at their table as they tell us of their hopes for the trail and regale us with tales of triumph and challenge from trek. Learn more: philmontscoutranch.org Thank you to Taos Mountain Outfitters for supporting our storytelling projects. taosmountainoutfitters.com

The Philmont "leadership laboratory" has helped teach generations of participants and staff valuable lessons that can be applied throughout one's career. Our guests today are former Air Force Chief of Staff General Dave Goldfein and U.S. Air Force Academy Professor Thomas Swaim who have applied the lessons they learned in their youth to the highest levels of leadership within the United States Air Force. Goldfein, served as the 21st Chief of Staff from 2016 to 2020 and was inducted as a distinguished Philmont Staff Alumni in 2019. Swaim, who is now the Military and Strategic Studies Department head at the Academy, now works with Cadets to integrate the Philmont experience into their future influence as military officers. 

Once you return home from Philmont, it can be difficult to share the magic that you felt on the Ranch. A big part of this comes from the indescribable beauty of the land, but an even greater part comes from the relationships forged by the adversity overcome on trek or the lessons learned as a member of the Philmont staff. Today we talk to scouts, staff and advisors about how their Philmont experience changed them and who made that possible. Learn more: philmontscoutranch.org

An important Philmont Scout Ranch motto is "Change Lives." The phrase has often been held up as the pinnacle of Philmont's mission. However, can we more critically examine whether or not Philmont really changes lives? For the completion of her Master's degree at the University of Utah, former Ranger Mary Godwin set out to answer this question. Listen today as she explores what she found and how the research can help Philmont change even more lives. Learn more: philmontscoutranch.org

The story of Philmont begins long before Waite Phillips or the Scouting movement. The land that today is known as Philmont Scout Ranch has been inhabited for thousands of years, had many different owners, played a role in our nation's history, and has been shaped by human society for far longer than we may think. Listen in today as we are joined by Eric Smallwood, a historian well-versed in Philmont's history, to explore the history of the land that we now call Philmont and the many people who have called it home over the ages. Learn more: philmontscoutranch.org