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 email: denkampa@gmail.com

PTC 75th Anniversary information

Philmont Training Center

The Calico Stray

The Other Side of the Road: The Story of the Philmont Training Center - originally published in 2009 (a revision will be published soon). All proceeds have gone, and will continue to go to the Philmont Staff Association.

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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 relax enough to realize that its a good thing to not always be busy or hurried. That you in fact can sit and watch the world go by.

Episode Sponsor: Tom Munch

Philmont Experience

1990 - Ranger / Rayado / Mountain Trek / Rent-A-Ranger

1991 - Training Ranger

1992 - CD Dan Beard

1993 - CD Crooked Creek

Notable Mentions:

Steve Hood

Jenny McMann

Cindy Werhane

Terri Heimern

John and Jenny Craig

Buddy Morse

Bryce Stevens

Ellwyn Stevens

Tim Rosseisen

Nick Bliss

Tom Munch

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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 – CHQ Dining Hall
1977 – Beaubien Cook

Philmont Experience Karen:
1975, 77, & 78 – Trek participant
1979 – CHQ Trading Post
1983 – PTC Trading Post Assistant Manager
1984 – PTC Tranding Post Manager
2019 – Museum Docent

Notable Mentions:
Henry Wicksen
Charlie Aldredge
Doug & Betty Palmer
Bill Tate
Hans Peterson
Rod Taylor
Steve Zimmer
Dave Kenneke
The Otts
Dean Tooley

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