Steve Nelson

For 16 summers Steve Nelson witnessed staff and participants experience influential moments time and time again.  And not just in the summertime, but year round - from 2008 to 2023 Steve worked full-time as the Associate Director of Camping, Comptroller, and Director of Camping.

Steve prides Philmont on recruiting the best of the best seasonal staff members.  And how when they arrive, they explode in awesomeness and terrific achievement.  And how proud he was to be a part of that for so many years.   

Philmont Experience:
1972 - NJLITC participant
1995 - Philmont Training Center - Professional BSA Training
1999 - Philmont Trek - 714-P2

April 2008 - June 2009 - Associate Director of Camping (Unit 6) responsible for Base Camp Operations and Seasonal Human Resources

June 2009 - December 2017 - Comptroller/Director of Business Operations (Unit 4 and then Unit 3)

January 2018  - September 2023 - Director of Camping (Unit 2)

BSA Career:

• Nevada Area Council; Reno, Nevada - District Executive - 1983 - 1986
• Boulder Dam Area Council; Las Vegas, Nevada - District Executive 1986-1987
• Left the Boy Scouts in 1987 worked at Aspen Grove Family Camp - Brigham Young University Alumni Family Camp and taught classes in the Recreation Management/Youth Leadership Department. 1987-1989
• Tendoy Area Council; Pocatello, Idaho - Senior District Executive 1990-1993
• Grand Teton Council; Idaho Falls, Idaho - Program Director, Field Director and Director of Field Service 1993-2002
• Snake River Council: Twin Falls, Idaho - Scout Executive 2002 - 2008
• Philmont Scout Ranch 2008-2023

Notable Mentions:
Mark Anderson
Sasha Nelson
Frank Reigleman
Keith Galloway
John Clark
Owen McCulloch
Chris Sawyer
Eric Martinez
Adam Herrenbruck
Robert Fudge
John Celley 
Andrew Gotchenower
Sid Covington
Hailey in Logistics 
John Murphy
Matt Lindsey
Jim Lynch
Tim Rosseisen
Tim Hansen
Joey Fernandez
Gene Schnell
Kevin Dowling