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Camp Frank Rand, Great Southwest Council, near Chimayo, New Mexico Leaving El Rancho Cima and the Texas hill country, we ended our second week of Camp Tour 2001 and headed west along I-10 through the vast west Texas desert. In historic Fort Stockton, we left the interstate and headed northwest on 285 to reach Brantley Lake in New Mexico just before dusk. Brantley Lake facilities include a new campground, and we thought the rates were quite reasonable—just $14 for a motorhome with water and electric hookups, less for tent-camping Scouts who might be traveling to or from camp. Saturday morning we motored on to Santa Fe and reached the picturesque city just as a storm broke over the mountains and long jagged spikes of lightning split the sky around us. After provisioning and some minor mechanical details were attended to, we overnighted at a KOA campground, where, our host told us, many Scout Troops stop through on the way to Philmont. With laundry out of the way and a good night's sleep under our belt, we set out midday Sunday, traveling northeast and up, up, up to the Chimayo Scout Reservation and Camp Frank Rand. We've often joked that Scout camps are in the middle of nowhere, but Chimayo Scout Reservation really is. We'd tried for several days without success to confirm our visit with camp staff, as we always do, and as a last resort tried directory assistance, only to discover there was no listing for the camp or the reservation. As we climbed and climbed up nearly nine miles of dirt road to the reservation, the reason became apparent – there are no telephone poles running up this mountain, only power lines. We later learned that camp staffers all use cell phones to keep in touch, and cell phone signal is extremely good in camp as a nearby mountain sprouts an impressive tower with a high nest of antennae. Upon arrival, we met Camp Ranger, Roger Givens, who promptly set about creating a space for us in a former horse corral and who gave us some background information on the reservation and camp. Later, we met both Council Program Director, Doug Maden, and Camp Director, Daniel Bruce. With formalities out of the way, Doug took us for a tour of the surprisingly diverse property. The reservation comprises a number of startling opposites: steep mountains and gentle valleys, trickling streams and dry arroyos, scrub brush and towering pines, tiny delicate hummingbirds and slithering fat bull snakes, lush green meadows and rugged rock faces, delicate wildflowers and spiny cactus. Our circuitous route down rocky back roads that are probably easier to walk than drive took us to Sacrifice Rock, a large, spooky, flat, notched boulder with a seemingly rock-hewn narrow trough (for blood run-off, we wondered?) strewn with sun-bleached bones. Sacrifice Rock is ringed by giant Ponderosa pines, some of which are many hundreds of years old. A trip back up the same bumpy roads and off to the south a little took us to a peak from which we could better see the camp's new climbing area – a craggy red rock face that from a distance is just a series of scars on the mountainside but from a better vantage point are quite awesome both in their size and their incline. Once again we headed down into a valley through a green meadow, site of a planned high-adventure base, and then back up again to the new access road being built for the climbing area. Progress on the road has been stopped, for now, near the site of an old mica mine which might be mistaken for just a dent in the mountain. Up close, however, it's possible to see the glint of mica in the rocks. Indeed, anywhere on the property where the surface dirt has been disturbed, you can see mica shimmering in the sun. Of course, you'd need a little sun to see that, and, it turns out, we had arrived at the reservation during what is known as the "monsoon season," so sun is intermittent with predictable afternoon showers and cool temperatures. During our stay, we met several Texas Troops who traveled to Frank Rand, we think, for the cooler temperatures. For our part, we passed the night without air conditioning, using only fans in the motorhome and even needing a light blanket. Camp staffers were not the least bit reluctant to share with us their pride in their unusual Council Ring. We won't give a lot away here, but two gas-powered ceremonial flames set in high stone pillars and a lighting and sound system evidently contribute to the solemn and mysterious ceremonies which take place there, as well as adding a theatrical touch to any inevitable camp skits. Regardless of terrific surroundings, any camp is only as good as its staff is enthusiastic, committed, and talented. We're happy to say that Camp Frank Rand has an excellent staff, many of whom shared with us their enthusiasm for their jobs and the camp, telling us: "This is the best job you can ever have; you get to be here, do things you love, and even get paid for it." We think Scouts will be just as enthusiastic about the rugged and starkly beautiful Chimayo Scout Reservation and Camp Frank Rand. |
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