[Philmont] Rocky Mountains of Oklahoma

A buffalo story concerning Jack Rhea, director of camping in the 1950's was related in the National Geographic article titled "Philmont Scout Ranch Helps Boys Grow Up" by Andrew H. Brown.

   Jack Rhea, when new at the ranch, rode along one day with Bob Lee, the staff buffalo
   hunter, as he drove his pickup truck into the pasture to 'crop' one of the herd.

   Bob pushed his truck amont the burly animals, which always come a-running because
   he baits them to draw them in. He himself stayed behind the wheel to let the buffalo, which
   are dangerous because unpredictable, get used to the human intruders.

   But Jack jumped out and found a big bull so close that he could almost reach out and stroke
   his beard. Seeing some menace in the animal's cold and steady stare, Jack called out, 'Say, Bob
   is this buffalo safe?'

   'He's a durned sight safer than you are!', Bob replied.

Jack Rhea was responsible, among other things, for standardizing the backcountry program into twelve day expeditions, to better handle the increased number of campers. Units were still permitted to plan their own customized itineraries at logistics upon arrival, however. The pre-planned itineraries debuted in 1969.

Bill Sheehan, ASM
Troop 55, Pitman, NJ
Philmont '70,'72, Autumn Adventure '01,'03,'05,'07

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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,
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Received on Sun Oct 28 08:13:15 2007