Submitted by Eagle Scout Nav Nalajala in Troop 130
It’s been just over a month since Troop 130 returned from Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico! They were one of the few crews from our council to embark on this challenging yet rewarding journey in New Mexico, accompanied by advisors Tevis Vandergriff, Robert Mercer, and Benjamin Cripe. The crew spent 7 days backpacking across breathtaking landscapes, forging lasting bonds, and were pushed to their physical and especially mental limits.
Scout Henry Tallarino perfectly captured the essence of Philmont: "Every Scout has to go to Philmont. It's a form of a pilgrimage." Philmont offers such a unique blend of adventure along with personal and spiritual growth for Scouts. Scouts are tested not just physically but also emotionally and mentally: “We had our downs and ups, but we got through them together. That was the important part” reflects Luke Chambers, who served as the chaplain on the trip.
After being devastated by forest fires (especially the 2018 Ute Park fire), more of the ranch opens up every year for backpacking. “It’s wonderful to see how Philmont is coming back together. I’m glad that we could help through our trail building service project” remarks Navneeth Nalajala. That’s another important part of Philmont: leave no trace. This encompasses a large part of the trip, from cooking guidelines to trail conservation.
Troop 130 unanimously agrees – Philmont was an experience of a lifetime. They gained a newfound love for nature and wildlife. The crew also encountered unexpected situations, like the inevitable wrong turn on the trial. However, these experiences fostered resilience and a strong sense of camaraderie within the crew. The crew agrees they left Philmont changed, and are eager to return and also embark on future high-adventure experiences at other Scouting bases. As Scout Ansh Dwivedi puts it: “I’m going to have to go back to Philmont. No matter what.”
