Two local sisters spend time at the Philmont Scout Ranch in the backcountry of Cimmaron, NM to discern the vocation they believe God is calling them to fulfill.
At some point in our life there is an experience that opens our eyes to a bigger world than we ever imagined that causes us to ponder our purpose in life. It might happen while paddling a quiet lake, bonding with new friends around a bonfire, or rising to the challenge of leading an exhausted crew to the edges of a mountainous terrain. The latter is true for two local sisters Erin and Anna King of Venturing Crew 13, within the Northeast Iowa Council, who were selected by their local Catholic Committee on Scouting to embark on a bi-annual vocational discernment retreat at 12,000 ft known at the St. George Trek.
Venturing Scouting was established on February 9th, 1998 as a Scouting program offered by the Boy Scouts of America now know as “Scouting America.” Today the program serves over 1 million youth nationally. It is a co-educational youth-led program for individuals who have completed the 8th grade and are at least 13 years of age through 20. The program is guided by the motto, “Lead the adventure” and is about creating lasting experiences with your friends that focus on leadership development, high adventure, service to others and personal growth.
The St. George Trek is named after St. George who is the patron saint of Catholic Scouting and the inspiration for Catholic Scouting’s high adventure leadership program and vocation retreat for Scouts who are 15 to 18 years old. Every two years, approximately 70 Scouts from dioceses and eparchies across the country are selected for this 11-day challenge known as the St. George Trek, which takes place at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimmaron, NM.
Led by selected priests, deacons, seminarian, and religious advisors from around the country, St. George Trek participants experience spirituality, faith, scripture, and the sacraments in a spectacular setting. During the Trek, Scouts make two commitments: to the ongoing discernment of their vocation and to engagement in their home parish and diocese.
Each Diocesan/Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting is invited to encourage one or two Scouts from their diocese or eparchy to apply to participate in the Trek. Participants are accepted on a first come, first served basis.
Selection of participants is made by the local Diocesan/Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting and should be made based on each Scout’s demonstrated maturity, physical ability, leadership potential, an interest the life of the Church and an openness to the discernment of vocation to the priesthood or religious life. Earning of Religious Emblems and involvement in parish, school and Scouting activities should be given consideration. Eligible Scouts should commit to become engaged in the work of their Diocesan/Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting when they return home.
This year, Erin and Anna King were one of six that established the all-female crew for the St. George Trek that took place from July 3 – 18th.
Erin, currently serves as the President of her local Venturing Crew 13, and Anna currently serves at the Vice President of Venturing Crew 13. Erin was selected among her peers at the start of the trek to serve as their Crew Leader for Trek: 705-SG-03. The Crew leader is responsible for all aspects of the Crew during the trek including, but not limited, to morale, health, and safety.
Reflecting upon her experiences Erin expressed; “The St. George Trek at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico is more than just an exhilarating adventure; it is a transformative experience that touches the hearts and minds of all who undertake it. This trek, set in the breathtaking landscape of God’s country in Cimarron, NM, offers a unique combination of physical challenge, natural beauty, and spiritual reflection. My time on this trek was not only a journey through stunning terrain but also a deep exploration of my own vocation and faith.”
Philmont Scout Ranch is renowned for its expansive and rugged landscapes, spanning over 200,000 acres of wilderness. The St. George Trek, named after the patron saint of Scouts, offers a special route that combines challenging hikes with opportunities for personal and spiritual growth. The trek covers a range of experiences from scaling steep mountain paths to hiking serene valleys, each part of the journey contributing to a sense of accomplishment.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the trek was the way our Crew came together as a family. In the beginning, we were a group of individuals with varying backgrounds and personalities, but as we faced the trials of the trek together, we developed a profound sense of unity. The physical exertion of hiking long distances, often under the weight of heavy backpacks, mirrored the perseverance required in our daily struggles. This shared our vulnerability with one another and created strong bonds among us, fostering a sense of mutual support that extended beyond the trek itself.
The crew learned to depend on each other, share responsibilities, and support one another through both the tough and joyful moments. This sense of family was not limited to the Crew alone; it extended to the interactions with the people they met along the way. Philmont’s community, including its staff and volunteers, became an important part of the journey, enriching the experience with their warmth and hospitality.
Adding to the richness of the journey were the Religious Sisters from the community of Mary Mother of the Eucharist in Ann Arbor, Michigan who joined the crew during the Trek. Their presence was a blessing, offering insights and guidance that were invaluable. These Sisters, deeply committed to their faith and service, helped the crew discern vocations in ways that were both profound and practical. Their reflections and discussions were centered on themes of purpose, service, and spiritual growth, resonating deeply with the crew as they navigated the challenges of the trek. We got to grow our spiritual and physical strength alongside them as they too faced the hardships of the trek with us. Each day on the trek was a continual reminder to me of the words of Jesus, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24-26).
Anna shared; “I got to meet such faith filled people who supported each other through the difficult times. Being selected to go on a two-week trek at Philmont with two Dominican Sisters is something not many people can say they have done. I got to learn about their life and shared many laughs. I was blessed to be able to join in the celebration of holy Mass, offered by Bishop Michael Fisher, from the Diocese of Buffalo, NY, with my Crew and sister Crew each day of the trek.”
Erin shared; “The Sisters’ encouragement to embrace our unique gifts and pursue our passions with faith was inspiring. They shared stories of their own vocations, illustrating how their journeys had been shaped by moments of hardship, service, and devotion. This personal connection and their willingness to share their experiences provided us with a clear sense of direction and purpose.”
The St. George Trek also offered ample opportunity for individual discernment. Early mornings on the trail, while the sun was still rising, provided a quiet time for personal reflection on where God is calling to serve Him and others in life. Erin reflected; “During these moments, I found myself contemplating my own vocation and calling. The silence I found while in the mountains allowed me to consider how I might integrate the lessons of the trek into my everyday life. The values of perseverance, service, and hope became central to my reflections on my future path in life – the vocation the God has created me to fulfill.”
This trek has strengthened my faith in God, because out in the backcountry you come to have full trust in the Lord to get you through the trials that you encounter along the way. Some days it might be having to deal with the variable weather, the morale of your Crew or the burden of the weight of your backpack. My prayer life was also positively impacted by this experience as we would thank God for getting us through the hardships and being blessed with the opportunity to marvel at the beauty of His creation.
The King sisters’ experience on the St. George Trek was a powerful reminder of the ways in which physical challenges and spiritual guidance can lead to profound personal insights. The beauty of Philmont, paired with the spirit and the wisdom of the Sr. Peter Maria and Sr. John Micheal, created an environment where they could explore their own purpose and vocation in a meaningful way. While on this trek the sisters were introduced to the life and teachings of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, soon to be canonized as a Saint. They came away from the trek with a renewed sense of clarity and commitment to living a life of faith in service to God and His people.
Anna is thankful to everyone who helped her realize her journey on this trip. “I really appreciate all the people who gave me this amazing opportunity and I want to encourage young women like me to go on this trek because it truly is a life changing experience and a beautiful way to spend time with God. Through my Catholic education shared with me by my parents and reinforced by my teachers at St. Columbkille elementary, Mazzuchelli Middle School and Wahlert High School, I have learned that our purpose is to know, love and serve God in this life so that we may be with Him in the next.”
In the end, the St. George Trek was more than just an adventure; it was a journey of the soul. It taught Erin that; “The path to understanding one’s vocation is often found through experiences that challenge and inspire. As I continue my own vocational path, I carry with me the lessons learned in the backcountry of Philmont, guided by the transformative journey itself, along with the profound insights and lessons that I learned from my Crew and Advisors.” Anna expressed; “This experience at Philmont on the St. George Trek has helped me to live out that purpose and gave me the opportunity to listen to God and discern how I should answer His call to become who is has created me to be.”
Erin and Anna King are the two oldest children of Dcn. Travis and Melissa King of Dubuque. They are the very first St. George Trek participants of Crew 13 and the Northeast Iowa Council. They are also the first Scouts in 30 years from the Archdiocese of Dubuque that have participated in the Trek. They hope that by sharing their experiences that many more young women and men will consider applying for the St. George Trek to embark on a similar experience in the future.
The King sisters wish to express their deepest gratitude for the support of their Pastors of St. Columbkille, their Crew Advisor, Jen Porter, the benevolence of Craig Pilcher, Dcn. Mike Klappholz and all the members of their local Catholic Committee on Scouting, and all the benefactors of the scholarship that supported them. In addition, they are grateful for the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist, the Northeast Iowa Council, and the staff of the Philmont Scout Ranch for making this amazing opportunity possible.
Venturing Crew 13, which is based at St. Columbkille Church in Dubuque, was established on July 1st, 2023. It is a scouting unit chartered by The Society of St. George and is one of two Scouting America Venturing units within the Northeast Iowa Council. The unit currently serves six youth who are dedicated to Leadership Development, High Adventure, Service to others and personal growth through vocational discernment. If you are interested in joining Crew 13, please visit their website at: www.ssgscouts13.com.
