“Mike Yeaton has forever changed the face of the scouting program here in northern Blair County,” said Pete Kreckel, Scoutmaster of Troop 300.
Two years ago, Yeaton came back from Philmont after spending two weeks there with his son Zack. He described this wonderful opportunity as being “scout heaven.” In February 2003, sign-ups for the 2004 trek began; Kreckel and his son Philip were among the first five to sign up for the trek. Yeaton served as the contingent leader for the Philmont 2004 trek. He was responsible for all of the travel arrangements, finances, tour permits and any other obstacles that might arise.
After over a year of preparation by assembling gear, having shakedown hikes and getting into physical condition, on June 18 it was finally time to leave for Philmont.
“Our parish priest Father Orr came out that Friday night at 11 p.m. to bless our trek.”
Father Orr prayed that it may be a happy and safe journey through some of God’s most beautiful country. Father Orr did his scout training at Philmont a few years back, and was most impressed with the beauty of the area, as well as the enthusiasm that the scouts had. The buses left at midnight and arrived early Saturday morning at the Philadelphia International Airport. Later that afternoon, the scouts landed at Phoenix International Airport. The scouts traveled through the beautiful wilderness of Sedona on their way to Flagstaff, AZ for a well-deserved night’s sleep.
On Sunday morning, the scouts toured the Grand Canyon. They hiked a couple miles down the Bright Angel Trail into the canyon. It was very hot and dry there, adequate hydration was a must. After a few hours the Scouts boarded the bus and headed down I-40 to the Petrified Forest National Landmark. The scouts spent the night in Gallup, New Mexico.
On Monday morning, the scouts headed down I-40 again, and stopped in Santa Fe. They toured the old railroad station, and got a real close-up view of the city with such a Southwest “flavor.” They again boarded the bus and headed to Taos, where they toured the Taos Drum Factory.
Each scout was given a drum stick, and they “pounded” their way through the factory. At the Taos Drum Factory, all drums are made by the Native Americans out of hollowed logs, and goat or cattle skins. The scouts were most impressed with the craftsmanship, which made each drum its own unique musical instrument. The scouts then visited the city of Taos for a walking tour of the downtown area. The scout spent their final night in Taos before heading to Philmont.
Tuesday morning, June 22, had excitement in the air as if it was Christmas morning. After many months of anticipation, the first day at Philmont had arrived. The bus pulled into the parking lot, and the scouts unloaded their gear. Each crew was assigned a ranger, who would guide them through the first days of Philmont, and instruct the crews on the “Philmont Way.”
No trace camping, bear precautions, water purification, and cooking were the major topics the rangers focused on. The ranger took the scouts through the equipment stations, First Aid check-in, and food pick-up area. He ran the scouts through a “shakedown” where he made recommendations on what not to carry along.
“Do you need five pounds of pocketknives for this trek,” he exclaimed as he gathered a hat full of pocketknives. “Take only two pocketknives for the crew; take one flashlight per tent. How much weight do you want to carry?”
Needless to say lots of extra flashlights, pocket knives and sunscreen were left at base camp. At 7 p.m. all of Philmont shuts down for one hour of religious services. All scouts are required to attend the services of their choice.
There is a Catholic Chapel, Jewish Temple, Latter Day Saints Chapel and a non-denominational Christian chapel. The Roman Catholic scouts, through a dispensation from the Bishop of Santa Fe, attend mass the night before they leave camp, and the night they return from the trail. This then satisfies their Sunday mass obligation.
On Wednesday morning, all four crews from Penn’s Woods Council, totaling 48 scouts and advisors left base camp to begin their individual treks. Crew A-1, adult leaders were Yeaton, scoutmaster of Bald Eagle Troop 103, Sue Lange and the crew leader was Jared Rodgers. Crew A-1 was made up of eight scouts who were from Troop/Crew 103.
Crew A-2, adult leaders were Craig Stover, scoutmaster of Warriors Mark Troop 104; Kreckel, scoutmaster of Tyrone Troop 300; Carl Reed, assistant scout master of Summerhill Troop 63, and the crew leader was Kreckel. Crew A-2 was made up of four scouts from Troop 104, three scouts from Troop 63, one scout from Troop 300 and one scout from Troop 29 in Bellwood.
Crew A-3 was a group mostly from Troop 341 in Altoona, and Crew A-4 was made up of scouts from Troop 22 in Ebensburg.
Individual trek stories will be featured in the upcoming editions of The Daily Herald.
