From: Jerry Lewis (jerrylewis@attbi.com)
Date: Tue Apr 23 2002 - 18:59:14 CDT
Waytago, Doug!
After reading, re-reading, almost memorizing, and saving his piece (peace), I
couldn't resist posting a Ranger thing I found on the internet this Spring. Long, I
know; but if you love Philmont, I don't think you'll mind. It continues the theme
Doug is establishing about how much respect we owe these very special people.
"The mountains are calling, and I must go."--John Muir
"THE HIKE"
by P.J! Parmer, presented to the 1998-Ranger Rendezvous at Rocky Mountain Scout Camp
This is a story about a Ranger, it could be any Ranger- perhaps you or probably me.
This is also a story about hiking, well actually it is about The Hike. Not To
Hike...that is a verb. The Hike is more of a state of mind.
Scene one. This Ranger is hiking behind a crew, and in the back of the line is a
camper who keeps talking: "Wow, you really have it made out here, you get to come out
here for the summer and have fun and play and hike and get paid to do it all. You
really are lucky, and you really must like hiking!" "Yeah", replied the Ranger, "I
like The Hike". He said, "I like The Hike". He said, "I like The Hike". He said,
"That's what I like". As the Ranger continued on, he was thinking, "What I really
like is teaching campers like this one . . . helping them to grow and reach their
potential. I like to show them the wilderness, help them have a good time, and teach
them to work as a group". The Ranger knew this explanation would never fly with the
camper, so he was content on just referring to it all as The Hike.
Scene two. The Ranger is back in base between crews, and is on the phone with his
mom. "You go out there for the summer and have all that of fun, while all of your
friends are working. You should have a job...maybe earn some money or get some
experience in your field. Instead you are out there not getting paid anything, and
just having fun hiking around." The Ranger replied, "You are right, I like The
Hike". He said, "I like The Hike". He said, "I like The Hike". He said, "That's what
I like". But as he hung up the phone, he was thinking, "I am getting more out of this
than any other way I could be spending my time. What I really like is everything I am
learning about working with people, all the leadership skills I am gaining, and all
the practical things that I would never learn anywhere else at this age. Sure I could
get paid elsewhere, or get some specific trade experience, but I am gaining skills
that will be valuable anywhere." But the Ranger knew his mom wouldn't understand
this, so he was content on referring to it all as The Hike, because that is what his
mom thought was all he did.
Scene three. The Ranger is back on the trail, and this time an advisor is talking to
him. "You are quite lucky to be out here getting paid to do this kind of stuff, when
we have to pay hundreds of dollars and call years in advance to have this experience.
We only get to hike ten days, while you are out here hiking all summer having fun.
You must really like to hike." The Ranger replied, "Yep, I like The Hike". He said,
"I like The Hike". He said, "I like The Hike". He said, "That's what I like". But as
he hiked on, he thought, "What I really like is all the friends I have made out here.
I have awesome friends in my Training Crew and in other departments. I have made
lifelong friends who I wouldn't trade for anything. Sure we have gone hiking
together, but we will be friends for well after this summer. That's what I like". But
the Ranger knew the Advisor wouldn't buy this, so he was content on leaving it as
calling it all The Hike.
The Philmont Ranger is known for hiking. The Ranger can hike faster and longer than
any other breed of hiker. The Ranger can carry amazing loads, bushwhack over rough
terrain, and find his or her way from anywhere. So, the Ranger is known for hiking;
but the hiking is only a front for the Ranger's real job description. The Ranger
facilitates growth in Scouts and Advisors, the Ranger experiences much growth of
self, and the Ranger makes amazing friends--all which are hardly recognized compared
to the Ranger's hiking ability.
One final scene. The Ranger, at the end of the summer, is back in class and wearing a
shirt one of his crews gave him. After class, the professor notices it says,
"Philmont." He says, "Philmont, that is that Boy Scout Camp in New Mexico, isn't it?
When I was younger, that was the place to go for Scouts. I never got a chance to go
there, but I have heard about them Rangers." "I was a Ranger this summer" said the
Ranger.
"Wow, I heard you Rangers do a bunch of hiking around. You must have had lots of fun
hiking this summer." "Yeah", he replied, "I like The Hike". He said, "I like The
Hike". He said, "I like The Hike". He said, "That's what I like". As the Ranger left
the classroom, he was thinking other things. He could have been thinking about how
much he gave to help the Scouts this summer. He could have been thinking about how
much he learned in return. He could have been thinking about all the friends he made.
Instead, the summer being over, the only thing he could think was
I...like.
Jerry Lewis
ASM, Advisor 625-K5 2002
T 303, McKinney TX
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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
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