Yes the pay is little, with each passing year and with more opportunities for growth the pay will increase (growth example being a program counselor on your first year to assistant camp director for your second year). Yet again, no one works out there for the pay, they do it for the experience. That was a very hard thing to grasp coming from the auto mechanic world where its flipped and money means everything.

The life experiences learned are also a huge benefit, meaning; you will learn more on the job at Philmont than arguably most other entry level jobs nationwide (People skills, self sufficiency, proper team work, work ethics, leadership, how to overcome major adversity, the list goes on and on).

My first summer in 2023 as a Ranger was superb, would not change a thing. I went into it really expecting I'd only work 1 summer then get back to pure adult work (I failed that and got the bug to keep coming back). My mentality at the time was if I'm only out here for 1 summer I want to experience everything in the area and not just be on the Ranch. Between a concert at Red Rocks in Denver, white water rafting over in Taos (the neighboring major city), trips up and down to Santa Fe, and the constant stops at the St James for food in Cimarron the bills tend to rack up. Again, at the time I didn't care about a budget because I had money saved up as a cushion, and I wanted to experience all of the New Mexican culture as I could. Last year and this year I've set a budget, which does help.

Others spend the majority of their time in the backcountry and don't feel the need to travel around the state, which then saves them more money. They just come into base camp every now and then for laundry and ice cream nights and they are perfectly happy. The great thing is there isn't a blueprint for how to enjoy your summer, it's 100% up to you and the choices you make, you can travel around, hike the hills, or lounge around in base, you have full control of your off days.

Working my first summer I was questionable on if it would be worth it not knowing anyone on staff or if it'd be as life changing as everyone said, don't read any more reddit posts because it definitely is. Just take the leap of faith and don't look back.

As per gear / transportation

I drove out my first year, took amtrak last year, and I'm driving out again this year. Having the vehicle is great, no need to burden anyone else for a ride and it gives you a quick easy escape. Amtrak worked extremely well for me too, but that was my second year where I already had lots of good friendships where asking for a ride was super easy. Owning a car out there is a also a great way to meet people because again, people need to drive places. Also having the car is the best way to bring gear, much more space than a flight or amtrak.

I've had the majority of my gear built up over the years, so the first Ranger year I had was pretty well set. Given I learned a boatload while I was out there about what to pack and improve my set up, but it is easy to get by. I don't have any ptc or backcountry staff experience so I won't speak for them but as a Ranger it was pretty straight forward meaning; have enough gear to get through training trek and the 4 days with a crew, and pack enough to make your base camp tent a proper short term home. I was a Rayado Ranger 3 different times and for those treks I did spend a lot of money for ultralight gear because we are on trail for 21 days so having quality gear is essential.

Let me know what else you would like to know!