Cadet Outdoor Leadership Experience: Nikki McDonald
7/14/2021 11:04:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Air Force forward Nikki McDonald had the opportunity to represent the Academy and Falcon women's hoops at Philmont Scouts Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico, as part of the Cadet Outdoor Leadership Experience (COLE) summer course.
Philmont Scout Ranch is the Boy Scouts of America's largest National High Adventure Base. Born in 1938 as Philturn Rocky Mountain Scout Camp, Philmont has become a bustling center for high adventure and training. It covers 140,177 acres of rugged mountain wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rocky Mountains in northeastern New Mexico.
"I participated in the three-week COLE program where I was trained as a ranger to teach and guide a group of Boy Scouts and their chaperones on their 12-day backpacking trips in the mountains," explained McDonald. "I would teach them all the necessary skills while I backpacked with them for the first three days of their trek, then I would hike back in and do it all over again with another group."
Philmont Scout Ranch operates 35 staffed camps and 55 trail camps across the rugged terrain that ranges in elevation from 6,500 to 12,441 feet. More than 1 million Scouts, Venturers, and Advisors have experienced the adventure of Philmont since its first camping season in 1939. Most activities take place during the summer, but Philmont also offers programs during the offseason such as Autumn and Winter Adventure. Throughout its existence, conscientious attention to low-impact camping techniques and diligent wildlife and forestry conservation work has helped maintain Philmont's wilderness.
"It was a really cool leadership experience which enabled me to work with these kids and make hands on decisions," continued McDonald. "One of the most challenging things was adapting my leadership and teaching styles around the needs of the Scouts I was working with. Adapting to each individual's unique needs helped me provide unique experiences for the Scouts on their journey and for myself as a leader."
McDonald and company will be returning to the Air Force hard wood in late October 2021.
Philmont Scout Ranch is the Boy Scouts of America's largest National High Adventure Base. Born in 1938 as Philturn Rocky Mountain Scout Camp, Philmont has become a bustling center for high adventure and training. It covers 140,177 acres of rugged mountain wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rocky Mountains in northeastern New Mexico.
"I participated in the three-week COLE program where I was trained as a ranger to teach and guide a group of Boy Scouts and their chaperones on their 12-day backpacking trips in the mountains," explained McDonald. "I would teach them all the necessary skills while I backpacked with them for the first three days of their trek, then I would hike back in and do it all over again with another group."
Philmont Scout Ranch operates 35 staffed camps and 55 trail camps across the rugged terrain that ranges in elevation from 6,500 to 12,441 feet. More than 1 million Scouts, Venturers, and Advisors have experienced the adventure of Philmont since its first camping season in 1939. Most activities take place during the summer, but Philmont also offers programs during the offseason such as Autumn and Winter Adventure. Throughout its existence, conscientious attention to low-impact camping techniques and diligent wildlife and forestry conservation work has helped maintain Philmont's wilderness.
"It was a really cool leadership experience which enabled me to work with these kids and make hands on decisions," continued McDonald. "One of the most challenging things was adapting my leadership and teaching styles around the needs of the Scouts I was working with. Adapting to each individual's unique needs helped me provide unique experiences for the Scouts on their journey and for myself as a leader."
McDonald and company will be returning to the Air Force hard wood in late October 2021.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's BasketballAir Force Women's Basketball 24 25 Season Highlights
Friday, April 11
Women's Basketball 24-25 Highights
Friday, April 11
Warfighter Letricia Baxley
Monday, April 07
Stacy McIntyre and Player WNIT UVU
Friday, March 21
