Req 2a3 — Waite Phillips

Who Was Waite Phillips?

Waite Phillips (1883-1964) was an Oklahoma oil businessman and philanthropist whose extraordinary generosity gave Scouting one of its greatest treasures: Philmont Scout Ranch.

Key facts for your biographical summary:

• Business career: Phillips made his fortune in the Oklahoma oil industry. He and his brothers, including Frank Phillips (founder of Phillips Petroleum), were among the most prominent oilmen of the early twentieth century. Waite built his own company and accumulated vast wealth and land holdings in New Mexico.
• Philmont Scout Ranch: In 1938, Phillips donated 35,857 acres of his New Mexico ranch to the BSA, along with his Philtower office building in Tulsa, Oklahoma (to help fund the ranch’s operations). In 1941, he donated an additional 91,538 acres. The property, renamed Philmont Scout Ranch, became the BSA’s premier high-adventure base and the largest youth camp in the world.
• His vision: Phillips believed that the wilderness experience would build character in young people. He wanted Scouts to experience the rugged beauty of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains — hiking, camping, and learning to be self-reliant in wild country.
• A lasting legacy: Today, more than 25,000 Scouts and leaders participate in Philmont’s backpacking programs each year. The ranch covers over 140,000 acres and remains one of the most transformative experiences in all of Scouting.

Preparing Your Summary

When you discuss Phillips with your counselor, cover:

1. His background in the Oklahoma oil industry
2. His donations of land and a Tulsa office building to the BSA
3. The creation of Philmont Scout Ranch and its significance to Scouting
4. His belief in the power of wilderness experiences for youth development

Official Resources