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OATC: An Experience to Remember
By Joey Dworak
2003-2006 Section W-5A Chief
As school passed by and summer began I wondered what I was doing sitting around my house doing nothing mildly productive, except being ragged on by my parents to do more work around the house. I figured I would have a more laid back and mild summer vacation, and hopefully see more of my friends who many would be going off far away to college in the fall. But then I had a revelation: everyone was either on vacation or very busy with work; I had to find a way out. Philmont was always in my mind as a retreat and I looked into their ROCS and Rayado programs but then decided on participating in Order of the Arrow Trail Crew. As a 2002 OA Trail Crew and 2003 OA Wilderness Voyage participant I knew if there was one thing to make my summer more enjoyable, doing this program would be it. So it began on a cloudy evening in late June...
I drove from my West Texas town of El Paso up to Philmont June 28th , the day before my trail crew session began. I arrived there late that evening to meet up with the rest of my crew who all had flown into Albuquerque and rode the shuttle to Philmont. There were 15 Arrowmen in the crew from all over the country. After our time at base camp we headed out to the work site where we were to build trail for a week. After a challenging hike from the Maxwell turnaround and through Miranda and Baldy Town in the northern country of Philmont, we reached our trail camp home for the week right below the Copper Park Campsite. When we reached our worksite we had our job laid out in front of us. The trail we were working on was going to give access to Cottonwood Canyon from Copper Park and replace a trail that went over the ridge straight up with no switchbacks. We worked on the trail early in the morning to about 3 in the afternoon everyday. The work was difficult at times but it gave us a respect for trails and the hours of work that go into every foot of trail.
During our workweek we did more than just work; there were program elements aimed at teaching us about the ideals of our order: brotherhood, cheerfulness, and service. Our foremen stressed these points throughout the week. All of the work that we did was extremely rewarding because we knew that the trail we were making was constructed to last for decades and be used by thousands of Scouters in the future. Besides the chance to chop and saw down trees, cut away slopes for trail, and build rock walls, we had the opportunity to work in the view of Baldy Mountain and see amazing scenery during our hiking around the worksite area. As our work week came to an end we all realized what an amazing project we were working on and by the end there was a piece of all of us left in the trail we had build with our own hands.
After our week of trail work was done we got back to base camp, had a little bit of down time, ate lunch, and then were back on the trail to start our week of backpacking. As a crew we decided where we wanted to go in Philmont and what places and camps we wanted to see and then our foreman made a route for us, which is unlike any regular Philmont trek where crews must follow a set itinerary. Our crew began our journey in the Northern Country of Philmont at the 6 mile gate and worked our way south hitting Mt. Phillips, Fish Camp, Black Mountain, and finally crossing the haunted Urraca Mesa to be picked up by a friendly yellow Philmont school bus at the Zastrow turnaround. This breathtaking journey tested us physically and mentally and along the way we were met with adversity and numerable obstacles that we faced with tenacity and confidence. As our trip came to a close both crews were reunited and we shared the memories that we had all made during our 2 week experience. Everyone left with new memories and friends that we will never forget.
I would not have come back to Philmont to participate in this program again if I didn't enjoy it so much. OATC is at the top of my OA achievements and it is one of the best programs I have been through in Scouting. Many things that happen during trail crew are meant to be kept a secret and that is why I do not go into detail about much. But I guarantee it is a chance of a lifetime and something I will not forget. I greatly encourage any Arrowman to take part in this amazing program. It truly shows the Order of the Arrow at its finest.
For more information on the OA Trail Crew program, click here.
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