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34-480: The Wilderness Grace in its most commonly used form is as follows: For food, for raiment, For life, for opportunities, For friendship and fellowship, We thank Thee, O Lord. Amen. The version of the Worth Ranch Grace that most Worth Ranch Scouts are familiar with is: For food, for raiment, For life, for opportunities For friends and this fellowship, We thank Thee, O Lord. Amen. Note that in

68-530: A BSA Region 10 program and was named Region 10 Canoe Trails. In the early days, there were no permanent structures, and Winton, Minnesota was the launch point. The Winton Resort Hotel became a sort of headquarters but it was mainly a mailing address and a place where Scouts could stay before and after a trip, and the basement was used for some storage. Later the headquarters moved to the Forest Hotel in Ely, but

102-745: A cabin or a yurt in which to spend their first night. The crew has dinner, participates in an orientation program, and can visit the trading post. For a crew that is leaving the Sommers base and entering the Quetico Provincial Park, groups often make an effort to finish the 3 hour paddle to reach the Canadian customs office before it closes for lunch. During the summer, the sun comes up at 5:30 am and doesn't go down until about 9:30 pm. Long days are not uncommon. While both areas are designated wilderness areas, Quetico Provincial Park

136-556: A copy of "The Worth Ranch Grace," a simple grace before meals used at the camp. This handwritten copy of The Worth Ranch Grace is in the possession of Pete Normand of College Station, Texas . Normand, a former member of the Worth Ranch camp staff, is the son-in-law of James P. Fitch's only son, William D. Fitch. During Fitch's twenty-five years as Region Nine Scout Executive, his office was in Dallas, Texas . During these years he

170-446: A latrine (participants must dig a cat-hole at least 150 feet away from water and camp) nor do they have a fire grate. Upon returning to the base at the completion of their journey, crews return the gear issued to them and retrieve personal items. In the evening, crews enjoy an outdoor barbecue followed by a show put on by camp staff consisting of skits and songs, known as "Rendezvous." In between these events, crews may avail themselves of

204-538: A school teacher, became a member of the Philmont Staff in the summer of 1945 with the position of Personnel Director. Dunn developed the Ranger Program and held the position of Chief Ranger for 26 years until his retirement at the end of the 1970 season. If it were not for Clarence Dunn, The Worth Ranch Grace would have never been introduced to thousands of Philmont Scouts from every part of the world over

238-479: A staff member, known as an Interpreter, to help them get ready for their expedition. Upon arrival at the base, the crew will meet their interpreter while their leaders check in. After that, the crew will be issued their food and gear. Personal gear is carried in two or three Granite Gear packs. Food and cooking equipment are carried in boxes in specially made packs by Kondos Outdoors in Ely. Tents, paddles, PFDs, and other safety equipment are also issued, and their use

272-540: Is a staff member called an "Interpreter", formerly known as a "Charlie Guide". Northern Tier consists of the following bases: Most typical are summer canoe trip programs, signed up as groups. Other programs include: The Northern Tier program's founding year is considered 1923, when a canoe trip organized by the Virginia Council led by scout commissioner Carlos S. Chase launched from Winton, MN at St. Croix Lumber and Manufacturing Company. In 1926 it became

306-527: Is explained by the interpreter or the outfitting staff. Included in the gear is a radio or satellite phone used for emergency communication with base while on the trek. With the help of their interpreter, the crew plans the itinerary for their trip. Unlike treks at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, there are no pre-assigned routes except for groups staying in the Crown Lands. Crews are then assigned

340-543: Is now part of the Northern Tier High Adventure programs. The program has a long history with the Ely, Minnesota area. Such famous authors as Sigurd Olson counted themselves as friends of the program. What follows is a description of the typical summer program at Northern Tier's Charles L. Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base. Similar to other BSA high adventure bases, an incoming crew will be assigned

374-539: Is often considered to be more remote and challenging than the Boundary Waters. The Boundary Waters also receives far more visitors than the Quetico. It is not unusual for crews not to see another person for several days in the Quetico. Whereas the Boundary Waters' portage trails are generally well maintained, Quetico's trails are often unmaintained. This means that in Quetico there are no boardwalks as there are in

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408-754: Is the oldest of the four National High Adventure Bases operated by the Boy Scouts of America; the others currently in operation are Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico , Florida Sea Base in the Keys , and The Summit in West Virginia . The oldest, largest and most prominent of the Northern Tier bases is the Charles L. Sommers National High Adventure Base. Central to its programs is trips into

442-504: The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) and Quetico Provincial Park Programs at the Northern Tier vary by season. In the summer, participants undertake wilderness canoe excursions. There are no lodgings along these trips, and aircraft and motorboats are heavily restricted. Typical treks may cover 50 to 150 miles and take 6 to 10 days, with a maximum duration of 14 days. Accompanying each crew

476-562: The B.S.A. Fitch was the man who encouraged Waite Phillips generosity to Region Nine throughout the 1930s, and accepted the gift of Philturn Rocky Mountain Scout Camp in 1938, and later the larger gift of land in December 1941 that became Philmont Scout Ranch. If it were not for Jim Fitch's interest in recording The Worth Ranch Grace as it was used in the 1930s, we would not have this earliest version. The origin of The Worth Ranch Grace

510-506: The BWCAW for swampy portages, and there are fewer park wardens clearing the trails of fallen timber and debris. Likewise, the campsites are rather different between the two wilderness areas. Boundary Waters' campsites have designated fire grates in the fire ring and a small unenclosed fiberglass latrine "throne" set back in the woods. Quetico's campsites are far less used than BWCAW and many are not marked on maps. The sites themselves do not have

544-560: The Boy Scouts of America. At the top of the paper, also written in Fitch's handwriting, is the title "The Worth Ranch Grace." Fitch kept this filed away in his copy of the small book "Songs Scouts Sing." This is probably the earliest surviving written copy of "The Worth Ranch Grace." James P. Fitch was Region Scout Executive for Region Nine (Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico) from 1920 to 1945 when he became General Manager of Philmont Scout Ranch , Cimarron , New Mexico , and Phillips Properties for

578-551: The Cimarron Valley Council. Nobles also wrote "The Worth Ranch Song," and, in 1947, wrote a poem titled "Novitiate" about Philmont Scout Ranch. Another piece in the puzzle was filled in by Minor Huffman when he confirmed that The Worth Ranch Grace was brought to Philmont in the summer of 1943 by Clarence E. Dunn , a Worth Ranch Scouter and a Scoutmaster from the Fort Worth Area Council. Dunn,

612-588: The Fall of 1919, Fitch was appointed Region Scout Executive for Region Nine ( Texas , Oklahoma and New Mexico ), and he served in that capacity until 1945. During these years, Fitch actively recruited supporters for the Scouting program. In 1938, one of these supporters, Oklahoma oilman Waite Phillips , donated part of his huge Philmont Ranch near Cimarron, New Mexico . This became Philturn Rocky Mountain Scout Camp. Three years later, in December 1941, just days after

646-591: The Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, Phillips donated the rest of his ranch to Region Nine. In 1945, when Fitch retired as Region Nine Scout Executive, Phillips insisted that Fitch be appointed the General Manager of Philmont Scout Ranch and Phillips Properties for the B.S.A. In the early 1930s, Fitch visited the newly dedicated Worth Ranch Scout camp in Palo Pinto County, Texas , and made

680-613: The Wilderness Grace for use in its canoeing programs: For food, for raiment, For life and opportunity, For sun and rain, For water and portage trails, For friendship and fellowship, We thank Thee, Oh Lord. Amen. Northern Tier staff claim the Grace originated with them 90 years ago and that Philmont adopted and adapted by dropping the third line, as there's little water and no portage trails in New Mexico. The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve has also modified

714-557: The Wilderness Grace for use in its high adventure/Jamboree programs: For this time and this place, For Your goodness and grace, For each friend we embrace, We thank Thee, O Lord. Amen. James P. Fitch James P. Fitch (July 4, 1887 – January 5, 1964) was a Scouting notable in the early history of the Boy Scouts of America (B.S.A.). He was born at Montserrat, Missouri, and attended Missouri State Normal School (now University of Central Missouri ) at Warrensburg . It

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748-492: The actual base of operations was an old building in Winton thought to be the power house of a defunct saw mill. By 1932 they contracted with Sigurd Olson to provide canoe outfitting and trip services. Olson was then an outfitter and later became famous as a wilderness advocate and author. The base of operations moved to Canadian Border Lodge on Moose lake in 1933 and then further east on Moose lake to Hibbard's Lodge. In 1941

782-584: The base amenities: sauna, toilets, hot showers, a sweet shop, and a trading post. Participants recite an adapted version of the Wilderness Grace . The summer version is as follows: For food, for raiment, For life and opportunity, For sun and rain, For water and portage trails, For friendship and fellowship, We thank thee, O Lord. Amen. The winter version replaces "rain" with "snow" and "water and portage trails" for "ice and ski trails." The Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. (SAA)

816-485: The current site on Moose Lake was selected and secured, with construction beginning in December 1941 including a 56' x 36' log lodge built by seven Finnish axemen. The name was later changed to the Region 10 Wilderness Canoe Trails. Soon after, it became the permanent base of operations and was named the Charles L. Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base, taking the name of a Scouter who was the first Chairman of Region 10. Mr. Sommers

850-409: The first two lines are different from either the contemporary version or the "Wilderness" version. This original version is copied here verbatim from a handwritten copy of The Worth Ranch Grace written on a small piece of note paper by James P. Fitch , Region Nine Scout Executive, during a trip to Worth Ranch in the 1930s. Fitch was later General Manager of Philmont Scout Ranch and Phillips Properties of

884-632: The mid-west setting up Scout troops in the towns and cities he visited. In 1915, he was hired as Camp Master at Owasippe Scout Camp near Chicago where he was the founder of "The Tribe of Owasippe." When he was not employed at the camp, he was District Scout Executive for the North Shore District in Chicago. In 1917, Fitch was hired as the Council Scout Executive at Columbus, Ohio , and served there through 1919. In

918-494: The past decades. Dunn was later honored by having an elementary school in Arlington, Texas, named for him. Because of its continued use at Philmont Scout Ranch since the 1940s, The Worth Ranch Grace has been carried home to every corner of the U.S. where it has become widely known by two different names: "The Wilderness Grace" and "The Philmont Grace." The Northern Tier National High Adventure Bases , have modified and added to

952-562: The present version of The Worth Ranch Grace that the third line is different from "The Wilderness Grace" and refers to "this fellowship" which is a reference to the "Worth Ranch fellowship" which is a line in The Worth Ranch Song, written by Faust Nobles. The current version of The Worth Ranch Grace is slightly different from the original version: For food and for raiment, For life and for opportunity, For friends and this fellowship, We thank Thee, O Lord. Amen. Note that

986-500: The visit by Fitch when he made his handwritten copy of "The Worth Ranch Grace.") This visit in 1930 was the occasion of the official dedication of Worth Ranch, although the Ranch had been in operation for over a year. That dedication ceremony is recorded on film, and may be the only visit to the Ranch by the renowned Dr. West. In his book, Huffman recalled that at the time of their 1930 visit to Worth Ranch they thought The Worth Ranch Grace

1020-493: Was an avid Base supporter, canoe trip organizer and participant. However, the name Region 10 canoe base remained in use, including on patches and publications. The name stuck until 1972 when BSA consolidated regions and the base became part of the National High Adventure Program. The name was then changed to the Charles L. Sommers National High Adventure Base. With expansion of the program, Sommers

1054-677: Was corroborated by Minor S. Huffman, Sr. , the first General Manager of Philmont Scout Ranch in his book High Adventure Among the Magic Mountains: Philmont, the First 50 Years . In that book, Huffman wrote, "Worth Ranch was definitely the earliest camp to use the Grace." Huffman recalls hearing The Worth Ranch Grace on a visit to Worth Ranch in 1930 with Dr. James E. West (Scouting) , Chief Scout Executive from 1911 to 1943; James P. Fitch, Region Scout Executive; and Frank Wozencraft, Region Chairman of Region Nine. (This may have been

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1088-621: Was the chapter advisor for the Alpha Omicron chapter of Alpha Phi Omega at Southern Methodist University , a Greek Letter Scouting fraternity. Northern Tier National High Adventure Bases Northern Tier High Adventure is a collection of high adventure bases run by the Boy Scouts of America in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of Minnesota, Ontario's Quetico Provincial Park and Canadian Crown Lands , Manitoba's Atikaki Provincial Wilderness Park , Woodland Caribou Provincial Park , and points beyond. Northern Tier

1122-614: Was there that he met Dr. Elbert K. Fretwell of Teachers College, Columbia University , who was a summer instructor at Warrensburg, and an early leader in the B.S.A. They formed a strong friendship, and Fretwell recruited Fitch to work for the B.S.A. during its first decade. In 1912, Fitch, a school teacher by vocation, was hired by the B.S.A. to travel on the Redpath Chautauqua circuit. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , he spent 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 years traveling around

1156-573: Was written by Faust Nobles , a member of the Worth Ranch Camp Staff during its first decade, and a Field Scout Executive of the Council. Nobles was well known for his talent at writing verse, both in poetry and in song. But in the spring of 1980, prior to the 50th Anniversary celebrations of Worth Ranch, Nobles denied writing The Worth Ranch Grace and identified Jerry Fulkerson as its author. Nobles also served as head Scout Executive of

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