Julie Smith Vigil

Tennessee native, Julie Smith Vigil, first experienced Philmont as a reluctant, 13-year-old mountain trek participant.  Afterward she told her parents she was going to move to New Mexico as soon as she could.  Julie did just that, and she never left. Among the many jobs that Julie worked at Philmont, PTC Group Leader was one of her favorites, as well as holding claim to being the first female CD at French Henry.  Today, she is a school teacher in Cimarron, and continues to work at Philmont in the summer time.  Julie shares her experiences of being met with with disapproval as a female at Philmont in the1980's - and how she had to work extra, and twice as hard to prove herself.   She was repeatedly asked by management to step into different departments and new roles, always saying yes - embracing the scary but exciting challenge.  Julie finishes off the interview with some fun ghost stories from her time at Baldy and French. Philmont Experience1981 and 1983 - Mountain Trek1985 - Trading Post1986 & 1988 - PTC Group Leader1989 - Asst Program Mgr1990 & 1991 - Assoc Director Conservation1992 - PTC Services Mgr1993 - PTC Seasonal RegistrarFall 1993 - PTC Office1994 - CD Santa Claus1995 - CD Clark's Fork1996 - CD Miners1997 - Logistics Mgr1998 - CD Cito1999 - CD Baldy2000 - CD French2001 & 2002 - BCM2003 & 2004 - Logistics Asst Mgr2005 - BCM2006 - Logistics Communications Mgr2007 - 2010- Asst BCW Mgr2011 & 2012 - Mailroom2013 - Asst BCW Mgr2014 - BCW Mgr2015 - Mailroom2016 - Mailroom Mgr2017 - took off a summer2018 & 2019 & 2021 - Special Projects Coordinator Notable MentionsChris McCarthy StandardMitch StandardDoug PalmerGeorgia - PC at FrenchAmy Long - First BCMDwightJohnny UlibarriGene SchnellRachel RicklefsLinda AndersonSteve NelsonSupport the show