Joe Wilson: “a highlight of the August district work period was to accompany my 15-year-old son Hunter on a 70-mile backpacking trek…”

“a highlight of the August district work period was to accompany my 15-year-old son Hunter on a 70-mile backpacking trek at the Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. Philmont is correctly identified as a scouting paradise due to the multitude of camps and breathtaking views of mountain ranges and Southwestern mesas. This 137,000-acre area ecological wonder is the result of its benefactor, the late Waite Phillips, who donated the properties now defined as the world's largest camping organization, staffed by 900 employees for over 25,000 hikers who come annually from every State. I saw firsthand the accomplishments of dedicated adult volunteers, Mike Apfeld and Jeff Geygan of the Milwaukee County Scout Council, who guided our crew of nine scouts, Crew Leader Brendan Apfeld, Daniel Gerlach, J.P. Geygan, Nicholas Haynes, Michael Mastroianni, Christopher Murphy, Danny Brownfield, John McClellan, Jr., and Hunter Wilson. They achieved climbing the ranch's highest peak on Baldy Mountain of 12,441 feet, encouraged by Ranger Michael Ferrin. Philmont Scout Ranch is a treasure for all Americans to enjoy, and I urge my colleagues to encourage their scout troops to participate in the exhilarating Philmont experience.”