Announcing Our 2020 Board

by | Aug 11, 2019 | Announcements

National Officers

  • Dr. Daniel Miller, President
  • Denice Toney, VP Membership
  • Bryan Delaney, VP Service
  • Mitch Standard, VP Development
  • Charlie Aldredge, Treasurer
  • AnneMarie Pinkenburg, Secretary

National Directors

  • Sarah Burgess
  • Annaliese Parker
  • Steve Rick
  • Tim Rosseisen
  • Christine Salisbury Sammons
  • Randy Saunders
  • Phil Winegardner

Regional Directors – Northeast

  • Catherine Crouch Mirick
  • Ken Davis

Regional Directors – Central

  • Dave Fromm
  • Brad Plumb

Regional Directors – Southern

  • Jim Lynch
  • Kristi Noble

Regional Directors – Western

  • Tom Giugni
  • Rick Kagawa

See 2020 Board bios.

2019 Silent Auction at the Reunion

by | May 11, 2019 | Annual Reunion & Trek

2019 Silent Auction at the Reunion

Silent Auction Begins

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The Biggerer and Betterer Silent Auction

The Biggest & Best PSA Silent Auction at the PSA Annual Reunion will open Saturday morning, July 27 at 8:00 am and close in the afternoon at 4:30 pm.

To make it the biggerer and betterer silent auction, we really need your help. PSA members always come through, so let’s do it once more. We need auction items. Search your drawers, your closets, and your garage. What items would really be desired by PSA members? And remember, they don’t have to be Philmont or Scouting related—anything that might interest a PSAer is welcome.

100% of  funds generated by the Biggerer and Betterer Silent Auction go to the Staff Scholarship Fund. The more we raise, the more scholarships we can award.

Send in your small items now, but please contact the office before shipping those items so our staff knows what to expect. Larger items need to be held till July 1st since we don’t have any storage.

Don’t send staff shirts from the past 20 years, but if you have an old yellow “bumblebee” staff shirt, we’d like to have it—those have become collectors’ items!

For information or to make donations, contact:
Dollie O’Neill [email protected]

Ship items to:
Philmont Staff Association, 17 Deer Run Rd, Cimarron, NM 87714

2019 PSA Summer Reunion at the PTC

by | Apr 7, 2019 | Annual Reunion & Trek, Gathering

Register an adult (18 and up) for $65 or a child (5-17) for $30 online. Children 4 and younger are free.

The Philmont Staff Association’s 2019 Summer Reunion will be held on the weekend of July 26-28 at the Philmont Training Center (PTC). You and your family are invited to participate in a weekend of activities, service, fellowship, and sharing memories. The Philmont Training Center is the perfect venue for our reunion. The facilities at PTC are first class. Tents are large two-person wall canvas on wooden or concrete floors with electricity, lighting, a wardrobe, and two twin beds. Each tent city has restrooms and family shower houses with hot water. There is also a laundromat, so, bring the family to the reunion as part of your summer vacation.

Some of the tentative activities for the weekend include: day hikes, a conservation service project, campfire programs, tours of the Villa Philmonte, and a silent auction. The new National Scouting Museum will be open and a “must see” on your weekend agenda. The PSA’s Annual Business Meeting will be on the schedule during the weekend, too.

This schedule is subject to change as we get closer that weekend.

Friday, July 26th

  • 1–5 pm Check-in at the Philmont Training Center; tent assignments will posted at the PTC and PSA Offices
  • 5:30–6:30 pm dinner at PTC Dining Hall
  • 6:45–7:45 pm Fire Recovery Presentation, Zach Seeger and Mike Crockett
  • 8:00 pm “Palnick Porch Talk” Ice Cream Social, Murphy-Lynch Veranda at PTC Dining Hall

Saturday, July 27th

  • 7 am Breakfast
  • 8 am Meet at PTC parking lot for hike, TBD
  • 8 am Silent Auction opens (4:30 pm close), Marchetti Room, National Scouting Museum
  • 12–1 pm lunch at PTC Dining Hall
  • 1:30–2:30 pm Philmont Fire Station Tour
  • 3–4 pm Annual Meeting, PTC Assembly Hall
  • 4:30 pm Silent Auction closes
  • 5:30–6:30 pm dinner at PTC Dining Hall
  • 6:30 pm Group Photo Villa Lawn
  • 7:15 pm Silver Sage and Distinguished Alumni Awards, PTC Assembly Hall
  • Silver Sage Reception, after the awards presentation

Sunday, July 28th

  • 7 am Breakfast
  • 8 am PSA Treks check-in at CHQ Welcome Center
  • 8–9 am PSA Reunion attendees move out PTC tents. Must be moved out by 9 am to allow time for staff to prepare for Sunday check-in for PTC Participants
  • 10 am–12 noon PSA Reunion participants possible visit or schedule a tour the Chase Ranch, Villa Philmonte or Rayado
  • 12 noon Departure

2019 Autumn Adventure Trek

by | Mar 28, 2019 | Gathering, Treks

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2019 Autumn Adventure Trek

Purchase now...

By Steven and Cynthia Truemper

See Philmont from a different perspective than the hustle and bustle of the summer that you experienced while being on staff, enjoy the stillness and serenity of the Philmont backcountry, backpack through the golden aspens and listen for bugling elk. Join the PSA this October for the Twelfth Annual PSA Autumn Adventure Trek. The backcountry camps have already gathered so the program will consist of hiking, sightseeing and fellowship.

Trek dates are October 13–19, 2019, and the cost is $305 per person. Optional day early arrival for an additional $25.

Registration and payment is different this year than it has been in the past. Please see details at the end of this post.

Register now.

Schedule
  • Saturday – optional meet and greet, 7 PM
  • Sunday – report to the Welcome Center at 9 AM, basecamp checkout and hit the trail*
  • Friday – return from trail
  • Saturday – depart Philmont

*Indian Writings base will head to IW.

Basecamp tents are available for the night before and the night after the trek.

Cost and Eligibility
  • Be physically and mentally fit
  • Be a member of the PSA or Trek-eligible family member
  • Be a member of the BSA
  • Have a completed Philmont medical form
  • Be 14 years old OR completed 8th grade and be at least 13 years of age prior to participation
Trek Space and Eligible Members

There will be 14 trekker slots (42 total) available for us to fill each of three sessions, don’t wait to register or it will be too late! The PSA Autumn Adventure Trek allows you to bring friends and family members who meet the eligibility requirements listed above.

Special Award Patch

Persons completing the Autumn Adventure Trek will receive a special award patch. It must be earned; it cannot be purchased.

Registration Cut-off

Registration cut-off is Monday September 9, 2019.

Questions about the PSA Autumn Adventure?

4 + 2 =

PSA Registration; Philmont Payment and Refunds

  1. Register here on the PSA website, but…
  2. Payment is made directly to Philmont, not the PSA (address below)
  3. Philmont accepts check only, no credit cards or PayPal
  4. Make check payable to: “Philmont Scout Ranch”
  5. In the memo, please write: "728-PSA 2019", “PSA Volunteer Vacation”, "PSA Autumn Adventure" or whatever your event name is.
  6. Philmont’s refund policy: ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. THEY CANNOT BE APPLIED TO FUTURE PSA TREKS OR EVENTS. Emergency situations will be handled by Philmont (not the PSA) on an individual basis.

Send check to this address:
Philmont Scout Ranch
17 Deer Run Road
Cimarron, NM 87714

The PSA reserves the right to deny or revoke registration where appropriate.

Cancellation date: Monday, September 9th, 2019.

2019 Volunteer Vacation

by | Feb 21, 2019 | Gathering, Service Projects

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2019 Volunteer Vacation

Register Now

The Trail to Cito peak—Year 4

We didn’t make it to Cito Peak last September. Instead the Vacation Volunteers were redirected to a rush project – co-working with the Conservation Staff to punch through 3,300 feet of new trail to provide 2019 crews with more than one route into and out of Sawmill. Mission accomplished!

Barring any new unforeseen priorities, the 2019 Volunteer Vacation will return to work on the Cito Peak Trail.

The Philmont Staff Association and Philmont Scout Ranch are pleased to again offer this opportunity in 2019. This will be the 4th year for the very exciting and tremendously rewarding Volunteer Vacation. Past participants have experienced a fantastic week in the backcountry, hard physical work, and the ultimate satisfaction of giving back to Philmont.

The dates are September 14 to 21, 2019. The cost is only $225. Registration opens March 1, 2019 at noon, Mountain Time. Registration deadline is August 15th, 2019. Please see Registration, Payments, and Refunds at the end of this article.

Carrying On in 2019

The Volunteer Vacation in 2019 will continue with the construction of a new spur trail to the top of Cimarroncito Peak. Workers will push closer to the summit. This spur trail connects to the new Cyphers Mine / Thunder Ridge Trail, recently constructed in the area. These trails are helping to open a seldom used part of Philmont essential in the aftermath of the 2018 fire. There has never been a trail to Cito Peak. Your work will be instrumental in making this happen.

This program is available to PSA members and their eligible family members. The minimum age is 16 years by date of participation. Trek-eligible family members include your spouse, child or stepchild, sibling, parent, grandparent, grandchild, niece, nephew or in-law of the PSA member. Please do not register anyone who does not meet these requirements.

If females under the age of 21 years are registered, we will attempt to make accommodation for Youth Protection requirements. If we cannot meet Youth Protection requirements (having a female over 21 participate) we will return the entire registration fee.

The full Philmont medical form is required – the same 7 page form required for summer Trekkers. Please note, just because your doctor certifies you, it does not mean this program is for you. Volunteer Vacation requires hard work, long hours, a good crew spirit, backpacking ability and a sense of humor. This program is not leisurely and is not for those who are afraid of sore muscles, getting dirty, and who cannot maintain a great attitude when the going gets tough. The PSA reserves the right to return the entire registration fee of any person who would be inappropriate for this program.

Here’s the tentative schedule for the 2019 PSA Volunteer Vacation. Please note, this entire schedule could change dramatically based on Philmont’s needs. We’ll keep everyone informed as the year progresses.

Volunteer Vacation Schedule

Saturday, September 14

Arrive at Philmont during the day. First meal will be dinner in the PTC Dining Hall. In the evening, the Conservation Department will begin the program with introductions and specific plans, gear and packing advice, and general Q&A.

Sunday, September 15

Breakfast at PTC and then depart for the drop-off point just above Sawmill. Next, a short hike to Whistle Punk trail camp, set up camp, and have lunch. Following lunch, you will receive Philmont tools and trail construction instruction, start trail construction work, and have fun.

Monday-Wednesday, September 16-18

Trail construction work (and more fun). There should be time to climb Cito Peak!

Thursday, September 19

Final wrap-up of trail construction work, break camp, clean up the Whistle Punk campsite, and then hike or ride to another campsite. The final campsite will depend on the number of participants, availability of transportation vehicles, weather, etc. Volunteers will spend the night at this new location, relaxing and enjoying traditional Philmont camping.

Friday, September 20

In the morning, possible side-hikes based on the location. By midday or early afternoon, Volunteers will be transported back to Base Camp. Friday evening’s dinner will be a celebration of the week and recognition for what you have given back to Philmont. Participants will be awarded the coveted Volunteer Vacation patch.

Saturday, September 21

Depart Philmont after breakfast. Take a proud and satisfying look back at Cimarroncito Peak (and the Tooth, of course)!

Common Questions and Answers

What’s it like?

Download the detailed High Country article from 2016 providing a full explanation of everything that takes place.

What will we eat?

Both trail food and large quantities of FRESH food to insure sufficient calories. This will be a much better menu than the standard trail food menu. Cooking, cleanup, and water crews will be established.

Will we need to carry a full back pack?

Yes and no.

Philmont will pre-stage food, tools, and all crew equipment at Whistle Punk. However, the unused room in your pack will need to be filled with extra (and heavier) work clothes along with warm clothes (jackets, gloves, long underwear, headgear, etc). Extra gear can be shipped back to Base Camp after trail work is completed, but you will then be carrying traditional crew gear and food when hiking to your campsite on Thursday.

Philmont backpacks are available at no charge if needed.

Do we need a tent?

Yes.

You will be sleeping in normal backpacking tents for 5 of your 7 nights at Philmont. You can bring your own tent or use the standard issue Philmont Thunder Ridge 2-person tent (no charge). Tent pairings and partners will be discussed as the participant list is completed.

Will it be cold?

Probably.

Whistle Punk is almost 10,032 feet, and by September 15th, autumn will be setting in. You will need warm clothes and a warm sleeping bag.

Where is Whistle Punk?

Whistle Punk is located south, and uphill, of the trail from Sawmill to Thunder Ridge. There is a spring nearby. This camp was first used in 2016.

What does Whistle Punk mean?

A Whistle Punk is the lumberjack who operated the signal wire running to a donkey engine whistle. The camp was given this name because it is near an old logging camp.

How many people can sign up?

Philmont would like to work with a group of 24 to 30 volunteers. If we exceed that number, a wait list will be established.

Email us if you have further questions

11 + 5 =

PSA Registration; Philmont Payment and Refunds

  1. Register here on the PSA website, but…
  2. Payment is made directly to Philmont, not the PSA (address below)
  3. Philmont accepts check only, no credit cards or PayPal
  4. Make check payable to: “Philmont Scout Ranch”
  5. In the memo, please write: "728-PSA 2019", “PSA Volunteer Vacation”, "PSA Autumn Adventure" or whatever your event name is.
  6. Philmont’s refund policy: ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. THEY CANNOT BE APPLIED TO FUTURE PSA TREKS OR EVENTS. Emergency situations will be handled by Philmont (not the PSA) on an individual basis.

Send check to this address:
Philmont Scout Ranch
17 Deer Run Road
Cimarron, NM 87714

The PSA reserves the right to deny or revoke registration where appropriate.

2019 Volunteer Vacation registration opens at noon Mountain Time on March 1, 2019. 24 slots will be available upon opening.

Registration deadline: August 15, 2019.