29 Forms to Review: Navigating the Paperwork for My Ranger Summer!

I’m excited to share some fantastic news! While I did receive the job offer a few months ago, it was contingent on clearing a background check, which wasn't going to begin until late January. That process was fairly straightforward and now the job offer is official and the paperwork process is officially in motion. Now, I find myself diving into a sea of forms—a process that feels like a gauntlet and may be harder than actually embarking on this adventure.

The Paperwork Adventure Begins

Can you believe it? I’m facing 16 mandatory forms to complete and 13 more to review. It seems overwhelming and definitely time-consuming, but I understand that completing these forms is part of the journey. Each one brings me closer to becoming an official member of the team. To be fair, a good number of these are "information only" and are reasonably self-explanatory, but each one needs to be clicked on, opened, read, acknowledged and closed. Still working on which ones I really need to pay attention to.

Gaining Insight Into What’s to Come

On the bright side, going through the forms has revealed important details about my new role, accommodations, food, camp rules and what is literally called "The Philmont Brand", which I am expected to uphold at all times. For anyone who has been involved in Scouting, this should come as no surprise. There are things we do not do in uniform, there are things I will not do while at Philmont. There were reasons not to wear a scout class B t-shirt under my uniform when I knew the pack meeting might require adult refreshments following, not that I'll have that opportunity for a few weeks in NM (and please ignore any pleadings to send me any).

Also, I’m oddly happy to report I’ve been asked to join a private Facebook group for future employees. Those of you who know me know that I only have a Facebook account so that I could once gift Liz necessary items while she played Farmville (don't ask me how long ago that was). However, I do want to make the most of my time at Philmont, first for the scouts I'll support, but also for myself and so this invites me to be a part of the team before I even start. Engaging with fellow Rangers (new and experienced), sharing questions, and participating in discussions will help me feel connected and better prepared to make the most of my summer.

Embracing the Process and Building Anticipation

With just under four months until my start date, the anticipation is growing. I've begun basic planning but now it's time to amp up my skills. So the next few months are all about preparation, mentally, physically and to make my absence as easy as possible for Liz. I've been playing with some programs and searching some hiking spots here in NC (none of which have the elevation to really be helpful), but I probably need to stop planning and start doing. I cannot believe January is already gone and I'll be packing the Jeep and heading west before I know it.

Looking Forward to the Journey Ahead

Ultimately, completing these forms isn’t just a checkbox on a list—it’s part of the journey and make actually have been the thing to kick me in the butt and get serious. Each step brings me closer to my new role, and I can genuinely feel the excitement building inside me. So here’s to embracing this paperwork journey (can't believe I just said that) and looking ahead to being a member of an amazing team! (that I believe)