Southern Region

"Philmont Scout Ranch has been awarded a $99,999 Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant from the New Mexico Economic Development’s Outdoor Recreation Division (ORD). This funding will support the revitalization of the historic 3.5-mile Philmont Santa Fe Trail – Cimarron Heritage Trail, enhancing connectivity between Philmont and Old Town Cimarron. The project aims to repair and widen the existing footpath and add clear trail markings for improved navigation. The upgrades will create a more accessible and enjoyable experience for campers, local residents, and visitors alike. The improved trail will invite leisurely strolls, offer opportunities for historical exploration, and enhance wildlife viewing along the route. Restoration efforts will involve the local community, with staff and volunteers from various organizations working from fall 2025 through spring 2026..." More at source: https://krtnradio.com/2025/05/11/philmont-scout-ranch-awarded-99999-grant-to-revitalize-historic-trail/ "The Santa Fe Trail crossed the plains southwest of Philmont in the mid-1800s. The Tooth of Time owes its name to this trail; travelers knew that once they passed it, they had only one week to go until they reached Santa Fe, New Mexico. Philmont's strategic location along the trail spurred some interest in it..." More at source:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philmont_Scout_Ranch     More at source:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Fe_Trail

05/13/2025 Update:  Zoning change proposed: A proposal is in motion to Establish a “Public Service Overlay District” at the Sandhill Boy Scout Reservation...Join us Wednesday, May 21st at 5:30 PM at the Sandhill Scout Reservation Dining Hall. Let’s show Withlacoochee River Electric Co-op and our County leaders that this community pays attention and protects its green spaces. More at source (with comments): https://www.facebook.com/people/Save-Sand-Hill-Scout-Reservation/61564826926765/  

I don't know about this; there is some truth here but some issues. Taking years to fix troop culture isn't really a thing; either a troop is open to improving or a troop is not. If you're traveling true you sometimes get knocked off course; however, the intent to be on course is there, and you have to want to be on course and stay on course. If troop leadership has no intent on staying on course (running the program), it's intervention time or find a new troop time. I think we all see this in our own little areas of the country, lots of packs and troops are failing and shutting down; the reason in my area is clear, when a post mortem is performed it always points to the unit was not running the program and eventually killed itself. 

Thank you for your wisdom 😜 Berets are not practical for the field or training environments.  Even the military recognizes this.  Here's a blurb from an old Army regulation: "Soldiers will not wear the beret in field or training environments, or on deployments, unless authorized by the commander. Additionally, if the commander determines other environments are unsuitable for wear of the beret, such as on work details, the commander may direct soldiers to wear other appropriate headgear." Basically, berets are a decoration.  In the immortal words of Sweet Brown, "Ain't nobody got time for that." https://youtu.be/6gLMSf4afzo  

I might add that our troop, being over 100 years old, has accumulated a great many older uniform parts, and we often have youth with variants of two or three, as our closet is the starting point.  Most end up with a new one, but a few continue on with just what they can find to fit in the closet.  Also, we have a large box of hats and service caps that get used for more formal events at times.  When camp was still our thing, the hats went to camp, and flags in evening, and morning had them all wearing the hats or caps.  I limited smokey hats to older scouts and adults.  Even have one or two of the old green explorer caps.  While we have some berets, I avoided them, as we did not have enough to go around.