The following is provided by Marc Miner, scoutmaster of Troop 56 in Garden City.
Twelve members of Garden City Boy Scout Troop 56 traveled to New Mexico this summer to attend Philmont Scout Ranch.
Philmont Scout Ranch is a large, rugged, mountainous ranch located near the town of Cimarron, New Mexico, covering approximately 137,500 acres of wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of the Rocky Mountains of northern New Mexico.
The nine scouts and three adults hiked over 70 miles carrying all their equipment and food, from Philmont's lowest point at 6,500 feet to the highest point, Baldy Mountain, at 12,441 feet.
Along the way the crew participated in shotgun and pistol shooting, branding, lassoing, team building exercises, mountain climbing, rappelling, trail building, tomahawk throwing and sporting events. Among the wildlife seen were black bear, deer, antelope and turkeys.
At the last campsite, Ponil, the crew enjoyed cold root beer at the saloon, and a chuck wagon dinner. A nice upgrade from the usual fare of freeze dried food for dinner.
The crew consisted of scouts Jake Altabef, James Amato, Paul Amato, Daniel Decamello, Aaron Miner, Zachary Miner, Andrew Petersen, Chris Stumpf and Jon Toto, and adults Joe Amato, Marc Miner and Martin Toto.
Troop 56 meets at the Garden City Church on most Sunday nights.
