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My 18 year old son (and mainmost duckhunting partner) flew out of N.O. this morning for a summer job at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico this morning. Momma's all weepy as he'll be gone until mid August. He'll be a Philmont Ranger guiding backpacking treks in the Rockies all summer. In spite of the fact that he'll be living in a canvas wall tent all summer he's still a Lucky Dog! Any of you guys ever been?

Took my 13 year old son during the summer of 1990 just before I left for the Gulf War. I was one of the 5 adult leaders for my son's scout troop. We had the Rangers like your son going to do for the first two days/one night to make sure we were good to go. I thought they did a pretty good job. I'm a country boy, hunt and fished all my life, was a scout and with the military training I'd received I wasn't too worried about myself but some of the other leaders and scouts with my group gained alot from them. I seemed to remember at the time you had to have gone there as a scout to get the Ranger job. Is that still true?

I went almost 30 years ago- it was an awesome trip. I wish I had gone there more than once.

He went as a scout in '06 and served as crew leader. Got his eagle since and applied when he turned 18. Usually first year guys work at base camp but he got lucky. He'll only make 900/month but he gets three squares a day even on days off and has no where to spend it. He figured with gas like it is he'd end up w/ more money than if he stayed here and worked.

I went back in the late 70's and it was the most challenging thing I experienced for a long long time. I wish all Scouts could go.

By the way, they hire lots of staff (over 1000...a good number are hot outdoorsy chicks) each year and about half are former Scouts. I told him too late that he should have gotten some of his buddies to go too.

I went the summer of 1990 and can remember that place like I just got back last week. I can't wait till my boy is old enough to go with the scouts because I'll sure be signing up as one of the adults to go.

One of our Rangers was a hot outdoorsy chick. Not hard on the eyes as I remember. Had a pretty good time.

a lot of people from my scout troop went. i never got to go, though.

went in 1992 trek #23. also went to a high adventure camp in Minniesota on a canoeing trip that was awesume. cant wait till my son is old enough to go so I can go back.

we did the ultimate in 1999 i think, one of the best times in my life. beautiful country! the kind of country that teaches you that the simple things in life are what matter most.

Any body remember this? For Food, For Rainment, For Life, For Opportunity, For Friendship, Fellowship, and Forgiveness we thank you O' Lord. Amen.

I've been on three treks out there in the late 80's/ early 90's. I also got to work there summer of 92. I had a great time as I'm sure your son will too. Met some great people, got my first fly rod and overall had one of the best summers of my life! Congrats to your son! I wish I could go back some time myself.

Softly falls the light of day
as our campfire fades away
silently each scout should ask
have I done my daily task

Have I done and have i dared
everything to be prepared

Biggest regret I have about scouting....I never went. Hoping my son will go someday.

HECK YEAH!! Your son is one lucky son of a gun! Tell Momma not to cry. He'll regale(sp) you all with the tales of his exploits when he returns. Y'all will love it. The memories he makes out there will last a lifetime - just like those made in the duck blind.

I only have one question - - - - - is it too late for me to go back?

Showing my age here,I went in the summer off 77.
Evening before we were supposed to return to base camp we were camped near the top of Tooth of Time and it came up and serious thunderstorm.Our scoutleader decided we should go on into basecamp because of the lightning.Well on the way down one of the guys slipped,fell and broke his arm.
Got a cousin that lives up that way,she's a schoolteacher in Mosquero,N.M.

I hate it! Never been but had a girlfriend in 1978 that went to work for the summer. She met some guy working there too. She came back and we split up. I guess he had a bigger hiking STICK! We as Sea Explores would take our 65' boat from N.O. to the Bahamas. That was an awsesome experience. We kids stood the watches and did the navigating and engineroom checks and maint. Adults were along for the ride.