Karen Heim-Baugh, Ed.D.
District Scouting Coordinator, South Indiana Conference
(For current dates and
details please see the Philmont Conferences and
Expeditions.)
Several years had passed since the last time I went to Philmont Training Center. The last time I attended Philmont was to learn more about United Methodist Scouting. This would be my fourth time and I was going as an assistant instructor and excited to see the mountains again. Southern Indiana is not known for having any mountains! I was also going a couple of days early to experience the "west". A rodeo was scheduled for the fourth of July following a parade in downtown Cimarron.
Philmont was as gorgeous and as fun as I had remembered. The training session was filled with
talented, enthusiastic adults who brought and shared many wonderful ideas. We not only had the opportunity to interact with each other but also to have discussions with the national staff from the Boy Scouts of America and Programs of Religious Activities with Youth, also known by its acronym-P.R.A.Y.. We also had many discussions with others attending and teaching other workshops from other faith groups. The week was not all work and no play. Campfires, cracker barrels, a western dance/ barbecue, crafts, a day off for hiking, touring and shopping and goofing off with new friends made the week memorable as well as educational.
For those of you reading who have never been to the Philmont Training Center, let me tell you more specifically about the camp. Philmont, besides being a high adventure camp, is also the National Training Center for the Boy Scouts of America. It is located on 137,000 acres in northeastern New Mexico near the city of Cimarron. The mountains are beautiful and are part of the famous Santa Fe Trail. Well, I hope you get the picture. When you are at Philmont, you know you are in the great western outdoors. Antelope, deer, and many other wild animals abound and enhance the scenery.
Philmont Training Center offers many opportunities for
Scouters to learn and grow with their scouting knowledge. One week every summer is designated as Relationships Week. The Scouting as a Ministry in the United Methodist Church workshop always occurs during this week. Participants register several months prior. They check in on Sunday afternoon and classes officially start on Monday. Sessions occur on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Wednesday is considered family day or just a day to see the sights and enjoy Philmont and the surrounding area. One of the participants in this year's workshop wrote:
"I want to thank you for arranging for my two sons and I to attend Philmont. The two boys and I had a tremendous time and I think you can safely say that we truly had a mountain top experience. "Saturday everyone heads for home.
A few topics that will be covered include the newest resources from
BSA, religious emblems and newly revised material from PRAY., United Methodist recognition awards for youth and adults, the how and why of using scouting as a church ministry, and information about other youth agencies that our church works with including Girl Scouts of the USA, Camp Fire USA and 4-H.Additional topics include retreats and encampments, bishop’s dinners, and Ten Commandment hikes. It will prove to be an exciting, fun and educational week and everyone attending will take home new ideas, many new resource materials and memories for a lifetime.
Every Philmont experience is family based so spouses and children are welcome
to attend and will have programs of their own to attend while you are in
class. Every time I have attended Philmont, even when I was doing a lot of the
teaching, I have learned so much and had such a wonderful vacation as well. I
encourage everyone to try Philmont at least once ……and
bring your family.
The United Methodist Church
Scouting Ministry workshop is a collaborative effort of the BSA, the office of
Scouting Ministries of the General Commission of United Methodist Men (GCUMM)
and the National Association of United Methodist Scouters (NAUMS).
Let us know if you would like to attend so that we can get you information about the training and see that you receive a formal invitation Hope to see you there… and don’t forget your cowboy hat!
To receive an invitation or for more information please
email Mark Stowe or call 615-340-7129.
