Silver On the Sage Hosted by: Caitlin Lowe

Kicking off Season 8 with the current Director of Camping, Unit 2 - Matt Hart.  Matt shares an enthusiastic commitment to Philmont’s exemplary levels of service and professionalism, from the first bus of the season to the last - and beyond. We discuss everything from recruitment, participant numbers, and BSA policy updates to Philmont capital projects, pilot programs, NM sunsets and more. 

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Monthly contributions via Patreon One time donation via Venmo : Caitlin-Lowe-87714Podcast merchandise Scouting Background
Eagle Scout from Troop 23 in Rockmart, GADistrict Executive, Senior District Executive, Program Director, Field Director Northwest GA Council, Rome, GA 1994-2002Scout Executive, Alapaha Area Council, Valdosta, GA-2002-2007Scout Executive, Suwannee River Area Council, Tallahassee, FL-2007-2010Scout Executive, South GA Area Council, Valdosta, GA-2010-2020Scout Executive, Northwest GA Council, Rome, GA-2020-2023Director of Camping, Philmont Scout Ranch 2023-present.Philmont Background
12 Day Backcountry Treks in 2009 and 2013.PTC Faculty-Council Key 3-2022PTC Faculty-Commissioner Service-2005PTC Participant-(Council Key 3) 2010Philmont Fly Fishing Invitational-Annually from 2013-2022  Notable Mentions:
Doug Palmer
Steve Nelson
Roger Hoyt
Shelley O'Neil
Dave Kenneke
Kevin Sticklemen
Dave Werhane
Austin St. George
Phillip Ferrier
David O'Neill
Nate Lay
Joey Fernadez
Monica Turney
Carrie Kosmicki Hairston 
Derek Shiney
Chris Sawyer
Kimberly Rayburn Hart
Chick Harvey
Linda Davis
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Donna kicks it off reminiscing back to 1986 when she gathered with friends to celebrate New Years at the ranch.  From her experiences as a rent-a-ranger and mountain trek mom to encounters with wildlife and full moon pranks, Donna embodies that special connection we all feel while sitting around a fire, gathering and reconnecting with Philmont friends.   

Girls and Women, Equity and Inclusion (GWEI)

Philmont Experience:
1978 - Trek participant
1980 - Camping dining hall staff
1981 - Camping distribution staff
1982 - Ranger
1983 - Ranger
1986 - New Years participant
2001 - PTC Participant
2011 - PSA Backcountry Liaison

Notable Mentions:
Chris Bowles
Ben Rush
Jon Antonavitch
Dean Tooley
Owen Michaelson
Dave Bogart
Chistine McCarthy-Standard
Scott Ingram
John Deal - Griz
Kathy Leach
Cliff Watje
Betty Watje
Bev Aldridge
Mr. Lloyd Knutson
Jim Foster
Willie Hittson
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Today I chat with the creator of the Instagram account "Cons Meme Cache."  Some of you may follow this social media account - where common Philmont staff experiences are presented with humor and jest.  The content creator wished to remain anonymous - but he shares the history and making of the account, as well as his experiences on staff and more. 

Philmont Experience:
2017 - Trek Participant
2019 - Trek Participant
2021 - Conservation Work Crew
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Bob and I chat about recording Tobasco Donkeys album “Sawin On The Strings,” black mountain bog wars, PSA cavalcade, New Years at the Ranch, and more.  A big thanks to Jeremy Spivey, Bob, his wife Val, and their daughter Mattie, for hosting a mini Philmont reunion and of course the chance to sing some tunes together.

Bob is a bass player for the Blood Brothers - check out their music!

Philmont Experience:
1988 - Trek participant
1990 - Trek participant
1991 - Trail Crew Trek
1992 - Trail Crew Trek / Trading post trail hire
1993 - Seally Canyon
1994 - Crater Lake
1995 - Black Mountain
1996 - CD Apache
1997 - CD Crater
1998 - CD Cyphers

Notable Mentions:
Dirty Larry Mclaughlin
Spencer Seim
Andy Gerhart
Shelley O'Neil
Chris Knolls
John Ferris Chaplain
Dave Bates
Scott Toney
Doug Fasching
Reggie Jayne
Ali Wick Meeks
Ryan Raddish
David Higginbotham
Joe Gats
Eric Voss
Reid Templeton
Ron Powers
Alex Ave 
Jag McLaughlin
Gene Schnell
Kelley Kirkwood "Cajun"
Chris Bryant
Pat (BCM)
Hunter Seim
Doug Palmer
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Conservation veteran, Crockett joins the show to share his experience and expertise in trail and campsite infrastructure, installation, and sustainability at Philmont Scout Ranch. 

Philmont Experience:
Summer '12 - Sustainability
Summer '13 - Environmental Educator, TCT & ROCS
Summer '14 - Conservation Site Foreman - Whiteman Vega
Summer '15 - Conservation Field Coordinator
Fall '15 - Trail Survey Team w/ Jordan Moede
May '16 - Nov '17 - Conservation Field Manager
Winter '18 - Conservation Hiring Support Staff
Summer '18 - Recreation Resource Specialist
Sept '18 - Dec '21 - Conservation Field Manager (full-time)

Notable Mentions:
Max McCale
David Pedrick
Carrie Anderson
Logan Hardin
John Celley
Kevin Dowling
Zach Seager
Casey Meyers
Jeb Redwine
Bryce Stephenson
Ben Harper
Conner Oxburger
Marty - Forester
Mary Steuver
Nate Lay
Chris Sawyer
Limmer Boot Company
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Between sips of coffee and contemplative grins - Ben and Marilyn Vargas share stories of love, dedication, and incredible hard work during their time living at Philmont Scout Ranch.  As second parents to many seasonal wranglers, Ben and Marilyn are humble celebrities among the Ranch Department, and I want to thank them for inviting me into their home and sharing just a small portion of the immeasurable impact they’ve had on so many lives.

I’d like to note that this episode was generously and anonymously sponsored by a member of the Old Horse Department, whom without, the making of this episode would not have been possible. I thank you.

Support the show and enjoy some tunes - "The Places We Call Home" by The Calico Stray.

Philmont Experience
Ben Vargas
Seasonal Staff
1964 - Rayado grounds
1965 - Rayado Dining Hall
1966 - Trading Post staff
1967 - Wrangler
1968 - Horseman
1969 - Horseman
1970 - Horseman

Full Time
1971 - Fence Crew then moved to Cowboy
1972 - 1979 - Cowboy
1980 - Horse Forman
2018 - Livestock Foreman

Marilyn Vargas
Seasonal Staff
1974 - Small Fry Director
1976 - 1979 - Nursery Director

Part Time
1980 - 1984 - Housekeeping

Full Time
1985 - 2018 - Assistant to General Manager (2015 promoted to Assistant to GM and Team Leader Administrative/Housekeeping).

Notable Mentions
Leo Martinez
Bob Knox
Jim Bird
Lee Mariett
Mark Anderson
Paul Claussen
Chuck Binger
Bill Spice
Keith Galloway
John Clark
Kevin Dowling
Austin Vargas
Kelly Vargas
Chope Phillips
BJ - Lost Ranger
Danny Sloan
Dollie O'Neill
Casey Lyman
Dr. John Alexander
John Bell
Jason Smallwood
Brad Newberry
Bob Rickleffs
Rusty Lowe
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