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Philmont Training Center hosts National Key Three

June 15, 2022 – The Philmont Training Center hosted the Boy Scouts of America Chief Scout Executive, who acts as the Chief Executive Officer, along with the other National Key Three members.


Roger Mosby, Chief Scout Executive, speaks on behalf of the BSA during a "Fireside Chat" held in the PTC Assembly Hall at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M., on June 10, 2022. Photo by Ryan Moore.



The National Key Three include the three top leaders for the BSA: National Chair Dan Ownby, National Commissioner Scott Sorrels, and Chief Scout Executive Roger Mosby.

Mosby came to Philmont for the first time in the mid-90s as an adult advisor for his son’s crew. He has come back to the ranch many times throughout the years both as a participant, a PTC faculty member and since 2019 through his role as President. His sons have even worked at Philmont.


I asked Mosby what his Roses, Buds, and Thorns of being the Chief Scout Executive have been. Here are his answers:


Rose: “What people can become in scouting. We have a lot of very interesting youth that are in leadership positions, in Scouts BSA, in Venturing, in Sea Scouts, other programs. It’s interesting to see how they blossom when given the opportunity to actually lead.”


Thorn: “The bankruptcy itself, if you will, has been a thorn, but at the same time, I think it will eventually become a healing part of the Boy Scouts of America.”


Bud: “Of course, the bud is fairly easy: that’s the youth. I think sometimes we lose sight of the fact that this organization only exists because of the youth … we have lots of lots of patches and lots of knots and all those things. And they’re important … but to me, the most important part is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America: to get our youth to apply the Scout Oath and Law in their life.”


Scott Sorrels, the 12th National Commissioner of Boy Scouts of America, is commissioned during a ceremony held of the Villa Front Lawn on June 10, 2022, at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M. Photo by Ryan Moore.



The National Key Three attended two different conferences held by the Philmont Training Center: Commissioner Week and the National Gathering of Alumni. They regularly visit all the BSA High-Adventure camps.


“Philmont has a very special kind of place in my heart,” Mosby said. “I love all the other high adventure bases. I wouldn’t want to have to choose - it would be a selfish choice. You wouldn’t have to choose amongst your children as to what your favorite [is], but I do like it a lot.”


To Philmont’s 2022 seasonal staff, Mosby said thank you and offered this piece of wisdom.

“You’re probably getting more out of it than you’re putting into it, but yet, don’t realize it. Because it’ll be a memory that you’ll keep with you for the rest of your life,” Mosby said. “I think those things help shape your life and hopefully gives you somewhat of a love for the outdoors, for the environment that you’re in at Philmont.”

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