Order of the Arrow - OA Trail Crew Back Country Journal

Post Trek

People go through life sitting in front of computer screens and desks. Life can seem to go by in what seems an instant. I traveled across the country in the name of the Boy Scouts of America, from attending Conclaves, Conferences, a Jamboree and all three National High Adventure Bases. I am forever grateful of these experiences.

Philmont was no different. It was something that I have waited many years to experience and took my last opportunity in life as a youth to take it. I have anything but regrets. With my muscles aching through each step I took climbing up the mountains, I have no regrets. With sweat pouring off my face as I took a swing with a cutter-matic to build trail, I have no regrets. With facing freezing cold temperatures through hail and wind, I have no regrets. For every mountain I climbed, every shooting star I saw and every sunrise I photographed was worth it.

Brian's Philmont journal used to record his experiences.

I always said to myself that one day I wanted to backpack in the country and go up and down mountains. I told myself I will one day take a sea trip in the Florida Keys and travel over a hundred miles with a canoe. I realized that in the past three years of my life, I saw the sunlight of that one day and took it the opportunity to seize it. It has given me countless stories to tell around the campfire and made me a stronger, more mature person. If you have the willpower to take a pack and venture into the country called Philmont, you have the willpower to accomplish almost any goal you desire.

During the trek I had a chance to sit down and think. When you're hiking you have nothing to do but to take in the sights and seriously think. It makes you realize that life's schedule outside of God's country makes you too busy to just stop and excogitate. I reflected upon my life and set goals to accomplish. I evaluated what I've experienced in the past 19 years of my life. College and work can put stress on you that would make the task of self analysis a low priority. I had a chance to find myself again. You can have the highest leadership position in the world, but until you actually sit back and find yourself, you will never be in that peace of mind state. Philmont tested my strength and perseverance. It ignited the fire within me to do more and get stuff done.

I cannot imagine anyone going to Philmont and return the same person. The six Arrowmen from OATC622 were from the exact same troop and knew each other for most of their lives. During their personal introductions, each one learned many different things about each other. Throughout the trek, I saw each of my crew mates—my brothers—transform in to different, stronger people. They became more confident and more understanding of life. We have all become better people in the two weeks while at Philmont.

My college friends often question why in the world I would go to New Mexico for two weeks to hang out with people who I have never met before in my life. The fact is this question cannot be fully understood unless one participates in the program. I say to them that there are opportunities in life that will slip through your fingers unless you catch them. I am glad I caught the opportunity while I could and seized the moment.

Revised 6/02/2006

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