Philmont Scout Ranch

Villa Gardener

May - August 2022 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

The overall experience, including learning how to operate gardening tools, clean facilities properly, work with new natives and ornamental plants, meet new people from all across the nation, learn how to drive a manual, the off time activity opportunities such as hiking in the backcountry, wall climbing, visiting new and old Cimarron, etc.

What I wish was different

Having a better internet connection where I lived (in a staff tent community) so I could have better access to connecting to those I miss and love back home

Advice

Always be willing to put yourself out there! Make new friends! Always speak your mind! Be confident, brave, bold, and energetic!

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Ranger

May - August 2021 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

Great community, very rewarding experience

What I wish was different

Slightly better pay and I honestly wish the season was longer

Advice

My biggest takeaway from working at Philmont is how refreshing it is to take advantage of a diverse experience. I’ve had a great experience at UC, but I needed a break this summer. Going across the country was the best thing I could’ve done for myself at that time.

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Ranger

May - August 2021 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

I loved almost everything about this job. Food and housing are provided, and you are allowed to hike the backcountry on your days off. It's an incredibly rewarding job because you get to teach people new skills and see them put them to use. The coworkers are amazing too. It is common to hear the phrase, "Come once for the mountains, come back for the people," around the ranch.

What I wish was different

The schedule was a bit tough to adjust to. As a Ranger you work 4 day rotations, sometimes these are back to back, other times they are not. Days of the week do not matter, only today, tomorrow, the next day, the future, the future as it seems, and the future as it may become. Once you get used to it, it isn't so bad though.

Advice

Don't show up with expectations of everything going perfectly, that's just not how the world works. This job is chaotic in the best way possible. Also, only bring about 3 outfits of your regular clothes (plus your scout uniform if you have one) and maybe 2 pairs of non-hiking shoes. You won't need as much as you might think

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Philmont Ranger

May - August 2019 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

Great atmosphere

What I wish was different

Better food and communication from top levels

Advice

Hike Wilson Mesa and Mount Baldy

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Assistant Manager of Tooth of Time Traders

May - August 2019 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

Interacting with other individuals my age in a beautiful environment.

What I wish was different

Communication between full time staff and seasonal staff.

Advice

Go in with an open mind and ready to work!

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Ranger

May - August 2019 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

I loved being outdoors, the genuine friends I made, and the freedom to backpack for a buck.

What I wish was different

I wish I had done a rowdy crew. (Rayado)

Advice

This job isn't a job. It is genuine happiness that you get paid for. However, everyone who got an offer to work here didn't do it for the money.

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Program Counselor

May - August 2019 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

Working outdoors everyday and teaching boy scouts fun experiences

What I wish was different

The time off and some of the people i worked with were frustrating, but that's ok.

Advice

Do it, It is the most developmental experience of your lifetime and you'll have fun doing it!

1 One person found this helpful

Nursing assistant/registered nurse

May - August 2019 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

I absolutely loved getting to know the people there. The whole atmosphere was awesome, and getting to go hike and do programs on my days off was so much fun!

What I wish was different

Advice

My advice is to go work at Philmont! It is an incredible opportunity. Embrace it and learn from it!

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Conservation Worker

May - August 2019 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

Working in 140,000 acres of mountainous backcountry.

What I wish was different

The Boy Scouts of America is a very conservative organization with a heavy focus on religion. This can be off putting to non religious people.

Advice

Philmont is a great place to work if you want to get away from the city for the summer. You'll probably live in a tent, but all your meals are taken care of.

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Forestry Foreman

April - August 2019 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

I love camping in the woods for weeks at a time and running a chainsaw crew.

What I wish was different

More time to finish the project.

Advice

If you love the outdoors then totally go and work at Philmont.

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Ranger

May - August 2019 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

Hiking/teaching Scouts camping principles

What I wish was different

Advice

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Prep Cook

May - August 2019 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

The job was fun and I met a lot of good people.

What I wish was different

The management was not very efficient.

Advice

Get really good at time management.

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Logistics Communications Coordinator

May - August 2019 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

I have worked for Philmont Scout Ranch for several summers, starting out as a Program Councilor and moving my way up the chain of leadership. I was originally hired as just a member of the Logistics team but due to someone receiving a different job opportunity, a position of leadership was opened up and the hiring team filled the position with myself. I had no idea what I was going into when I started but I knew that there was a level of trust and belief in me that the hiring team saw. Over the summer I had opportunities to take command of many situations, emergencies and non-emergent. I also gained skills, knowledge, and connections I never thought I would get the chance to learn. The work environment was a place of positive and cooperation, if I needed to talk with someone about an issue or concern, I could. Additionally, I was able to work with and get to know many important and high up personnel within the professional side of Philmont.

What I wish was different

There is not much that I would change simply because the experience had surpassed my expectations. The only things I would maybe change would be the work schedule and the connections/involvement with outside resources. The work schedule for me was six days on and two days off, with two of the days where I was the manager on call/duty. I would change this to adding one more day to each of the days on and days off just because of the work intensity (especially if there was an emergency during the on duty shift) and an additional day off would allow more time to explore both the areas surrounding and visit other places on the property. The change in connections and involvement with outside resources just comes from a communication stand-point. If there was something going on on the property next to ours or if there is an emergent situation that involves multiple counties, it would be beneficial to know just in case.

Advice

Keep an open mind as you go into your position. There is many things to do on the ranch and around the state. This also isn't a place if all your a looking for is a job to make money, because at the end of the day you aren't making much, and many of the people who work out there go for the experience and the legacy.

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Backcountry Program Counselor

May - August 2019 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

Working outdoors, adventurous setting, meeting people around the country, a lot of freedom, primitive living

What I wish was different

More specific job description

Advice

It is very physically and mentally demanding

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Ranger

May - August 2019 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

Working with crews and going into the backcountry where amazing experiences. The staff really felt like a family and I absolutely loved it there.

What I wish was different

The management had a tendency to do things that were not okay.

Advice

You'll be underpaid and overworked, and will have to deal with awful bosses; however, the actual job is amazing.

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Ranger

May - August 2019 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

I loved the mountains, and the chance to help others. Every week I'd get to see whole new areas, new mountains and have loads of fun with new people all the time. On days off, I could go to Colorado or local towns, and generally hang out with other friends. The staff facilities are amazing as well, and are a great bonus to Philmont as a whole.

What I wish was different

The accommodations were alright, but I almost wish there was a better way to house the staff there. You essentially live in a tent for 2 months, but its a great tent with a lot of space.

Advice

Be prepared to hike 15+ miles in a day for several days straight. The mountains are rugged and can be a bit rough on an untrained body, but the rewards are so worth it!

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Level 1 COPE Instructor

May - August 2019 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

I loved being able to work in the mountains while challenging participants to grow and develop as a team and as individuals

What I wish was different

I wish that I could stay all year long!

Advice

Be prepared to be unprepared! You cannot prepare yourself for every situation and it is important to embrace that. Take on the challenges that come your way!

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Conservation Site Foreman

May - August 2019 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

Fantastic leadership and trail conservation experience in the Sangre de Christo Mountains.

What I wish was different

Better organization at times within higher leadership.

Advice

It can be demanding at times, but it is well worth the time to potentially affect the lives of hundreds of youth participants.

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Forestry Conservationist

May - August 2019 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

Edcuational aspect of reaching thousands of scouts and informing them about the ecology of northern new mexico backcountry

What I wish was different

Better pay

Advice

Take full advantages of the connections that you will make

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Assistant Camp Director

May - August 2019 • Cimarron, NM

What I liked

I love living in the backcountry and facilitating teambuilding and games for high school Scouts during their trek.

What I wish was different

I wish I had more of a voice to the management and additional help and oversight for when things fell through. I wish my staff were more equipped for their jobs.