PHILMONT GRACE
For food, for raiment
For life, for opportunity
For friendship and fellowship
We thank thee, O Lord. Amen.
The Traditional Grace used at Philmont Scout Ranch, in New Mexico, is also known as the Wilderness Grace, or the Worth Ranch Grace. It is attributed to Jerry Fulkerson from the Worth Ranch Scout Camp in Texas.
In 1979, I was 14 years old and I had the opportunity to take an Amtrak Train from Columbus, Ohio to Raton, New Mexico to go to the Philmonth Scout Ranch. The mecca of the Boy Scouts. Wow what an experience; mentally and physically. From the first meal at the Dining Hall, and each of the 10-days backpacking for over 60 miles on the trails, we said the Philmont Grace. A simple beautiful prayer that I used throughout my Scouting years, as a youth and adult. Even today, 34 years later, I fondly recite the Philmont Grace.
Edgar LaBenne, summer 1979 at Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico.
| FOR FOOD For the food of combined thought from all over our great country, to help us grow wiser in Scouting. FOR RAIMENT For our Scouting uniform, which we have not only the blessing to wear, but the duty to honor. FOR LIFE For a life of freedom in these great United States, a nation unsurpassed anywhere on this fragile planet, where we are truly free to live the aims of Scouting. FOR OPPORTUNITY For the opportunity of Philmont and this scouting event itself, to be here with you, some of the finest in the scouting movement. FOR FRIENDSHIP For those we have met at Philmont, and grown to respect through that common interest, our devotion to the development of the youth. AND FELLOWSHIP To share a laugh, To help a friend in some small way, To share a sunrise, A sunset, This scouting event. And to return, if only for a moment, to our youth again and together climb a mountain, and reach the stars. WE THANK THEE, O LORD Our thanks goes to the one who we individually believe allows us to share the scouting experience with all. – Author Unknown |
PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH
Philmont Scout Ranch is the Boy Scouts of America’s 137,000 acre High Adventure base near Cimarron, NM. Trekkers will be members of 7-to-12 person crews backpacking through the Sangre de Christo range of the Rocky Mountains in north central New Mexico. Memories from your 11-day backpacking adventure will last a lifetime. Archery, black powder and 30.06 rifle shooting, fishing, blacksmithing, mountain biking, homesteading, gold panning, and summiting peaks legendary in BSA lore are just a few of the activities you may encounter at the ranch. Trek itineraries cover from 60 to 100 miles and are classified as challenging, rugged, strenuous, and super strenuous. Join the trip and see bear, elk, deer, turkey, etc. as you hike through areas originally used by Native Americans and trappers hundreds of years ago. Philmont is an amazing place.