Pastor John Lampley provides a short, inspirational devotional to Crew 618-B of Virginia after summiting Baldy and reaching French Henry on June 22, 2022, at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M.
Photo by Andreanna Haritopoulos.
July 3, 2022 — A Scout is Reverent: The twelfth point of the Scout Law is ever-present throughout the Ranch in the daily religious services, chaplain’s aide program and the coveted ‘Duty to God’ patch awarded to those who fulfill its requirements during their trek.
One element that has been missing in recent years, however, has been a consistent presence from one of Philmont’s many religious leaders across backcountry camps and on the trail.
Over the past several seasons, chaplains fulfilling seasonal positions have tossed around the idea of implementing a roving chaplain program in addition to their normal rotations at CHQ to provide support where and when needed for crews and staff alike.
The backcountry is no stranger to veteran, summer-chaplain Pastor John Lampley. After serving as an advisor for treks in 2011, 2012 and 2013, Lampley signed on for the first time as a chaplain during the 2013 season. He has not missed a summer at Philmont since.
Until his retirement in 2020, Lampley worked as a licensed mental health counselor for more than 20 years at the Presbyterian church in his hometown of Hendersonville, North Carolina. While never part of Scouting as a youth, attending treks with his twin sons made him realize the essential role of spirituality in the Philmont experience, though it may not always be easy to recognize.
“A trek is life-changing as it is for young people because it helps them grow and understand how they can find the strength within them to do it, and connecting God to that experience lays the foundation for everything we do here,” Lampley said.
Pastor John Lampley speaks with a crew advisor on the cabin's porch during advisors' coffee time at Pueblano during the evening of June 21, 2022, at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M. Photo by Andreanna Haritopoulos.
Last season represented a trial run for the roving chaplain program, with Lampley taking two short treks out into the backcountry during his time at the Ranch. He decided this year to make the journey an official part of his rotation as a Philmont chaplain while he has the chance.
“God has given me the strength and the heart to do it,” Lampley said. “You never know how much longer you may have, so I may as well do it while I can.”
As he passed crews hiking from camp to camp, Lampley offered words of encouragement and wished Scouts and their advisors good luck. This continuous effort to create interaction results in many ‘thank yous’ and “nice to see you agains’ from those who have previously encountered Pastor John on the trail or at another camp.
Following a time with no significant precipitation, the upper north country received a full day of rain on June 22, with temperatures hovering around 50 degrees. Nine crews were scheduled to summit Baldy Mountain that day, and when 618-B had accomplished this goal and arrived at French Henry, some members were separated due to concerns of hypothermia.
With hot chocolate, apple cider and hot tea in hand, one of the crew’s advisors suggested Lampley lead the group in a devotional. He spoke about God’s presence on the trail and perseverance in the face of adversity, quoting John F. Kennedy’s commencement speech at Rice University in reference to the hardships the crew had experienced: “We do these things not because they are easy but because they are hard.”
Lampley finished with a prayer, asking that God bless the crew for the remainder of their trek. Members of 618-B thanked the staff at French Henry and Pastor John for propelling them toward their final destination of Baldy Town later that afternoon.
Pastor John Lampley talks with a visiting geologist at Baldy Town on the morning of June 23, 2022, at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M. Photo by Andreanna Haritopoulos.
Lampley’s purpose for venturing from basecamp into the backcountry was thus exemplified in his time at French Henry and with this crew.
After completing his second trek through the south country on June 30, Lampley returned to basecamp for the last night of his six-week summer season and prepared to travel home the next day.
In the end, it is clear in his determination to meet those who visit Philmont where they are that Lampley has fulfilled the Scout Oath and Law, all the while building relationships with crews, staff and within himself along the way.