Driving down Route 21 toward Philmont Scout Ranch in May of 2021, I had no idea what to expect. There I was, across the country, about to start my first summer internship, and I certainly did not foresee the connections I would make, the work I would produce, and the experiences I would have. Upon arriving, I quickly went to work photographing scouts, staff, and the surrounding landscape learning little by little the Philmont way. Scout or not, those 140,177 acres of land in Northeast New Mexico became a place of opportunity and comfort. I remember sitting in the ranger office for the first time, feet dangling off the porch swing, feeling the breeze on my face. I watched ranger after ranger leave the office after being assigned a crew of scouts to lead. They would sling their packs over their shoulder, fist bump some friends, and walk out office slapping a sign above the door frame. At first, I didn’t make anything of it, but as I sat swinging I noticed every ranger did it. Curiosity set in and I stepped closer, wondering what those yellow letters said. After reading the sign I understood the Philmont way, why so many scouts visit and why so many come to work year after year. This place does exactly what the sign says: Change Lives.
