Metcalf Station staff squirt each other with water guns on July 3, 2023 at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M. Photo by Truman Attaway.
When you think of the 4th of July, you think of fireworks, cookouts, and gatherings of family and friends. In the backcountry, fireworks are not allowed and it is impossible to get everyone in one place, leaving family as the most important part of the day.
Lyra Byrd, a program counselor at Metcalf Station, has been with her coworkers for about a month since scattering. For the holiday, they enjoy good food and a rendition of the National Anthem. But above all, the opportunity to slow down and spend time with each other is valued most.
Byrd is experiencing her first year on backcountry staff after two years as a ranger. Instead of three days with a single crew and just a few crews all summer, Byrd now sees multiple crews per day. She enjoys performing and building relationships with her staff members.
“That's something I really never had as a ranger, right? A little family unit. It's really, really nice. Being on for longer sets is much more tolerable; you know your schedule for the rest of the summer so you can schedule around other people's schedules.” said Byrd.
After becoming good friends with Metcalf staff over the previous summer, spending time in the forge, and seeing their performances, Byrd knew she wanted to run program there for the summer. There was a big jump from hiking and teaching to nightly performances and laying trail tracks, but it was a challenge Byrd welcomed.
“I'm really loving it so far. It's more difficult for me than being a ranger.. I’m a much better teacher than I am an entertainer. But I’m learning to take myself less seriously. I think that’s helpful.”
Other camps also get a little more festive with their Philfamilies. At Indian Writings, staff and crew celebrated the “Fourth Of July-Dubs," named after the camp's nickname, I-Dubs. Staff prepared all-sport slushies, staged a performance of ‘Star-Spangled-Banner’ on their porch, and ate brownies with the crews.
The staff wanted to create activities that would replicate the joy of spending the day at home with their families. For program coordinator Jackson Castle, it’s his second year in the backcountry. He is familiar with some of the struggles a backcountry camp might go through.
“We've had our fair share [of problems], hopefully we move past them. But that's just part of being a family. And after, you grow from it. Three months is a long time. You get to become a family with them, and out here, we kind of have to recreate an environment that has that family feel to it.” said Castle.
The Fourth is, in many ways, just another day in the backcountry at Philmont. But when you strip back the flashy and loud parts of the day, you are left with an experience that is such a crucial part of what Philmont is all about: loving what’s around you, right now.
Staff celebrate with a special dinner in the Ponil dining hall on July 4, 2023 at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M. Photo by Truman Attaway.