Return to the Summit of Scouting: A Scouter's Midlife Journey Back to Philmont

by William F. Cass, Joe Davis (Foreword)

The author, who spent three summers as a staff member at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, recalls his experiences and describes his return twenty years later with his son.

354 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1993

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of a man who worked as a Ranger at Philmont as a youth and who returned many years later as an adult on a trek with his son. Especially meaningful to anyone who has ever hiked Philmont Scout Ranch near Cimarron, New Mexico.

[Clark Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun introduction to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. I'm planning to attend this summer with my son, so this was a great way to start learning how the place works, get some history, and start learning about the different camps and sights of the ranch. Nice to have context for my pending trip! I also appreciated the suggested reading list at the end of the book.

(Total pages in book = 354)

[Carl Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easily readable, very enjoyable account of the author's three years on Philmont staff (at Beaubien, as a ranger, and as director of Abreu) and return in later years as a camper with his son. The anecdotal tone makes for a very readable volume, and he gives many insights into the history, workings, and people of Philmont. His love for Philmont comes through his writing very clearly; his experiences are vividly told and are full of reverence for the terrain and its place in Scouting. Anyone who has visited Philmont will feel kinship with the author, and anyone who is planning a visit will find inspiration from this book.