The drive, initiative and creativity: Harrisburg scout chosen to work on elite ranch in New Mexico

Zachary Clarida is like a lot of small-town boys. The 18-year-old was a boy scout, went to school and mowed lawns and washed dishes for a little extra cash on the side.

But there's something special about Clarida. He went the extra mile to achieve something special for himself and for Harrisburg

"He's a great example for other kids in the area, to say if he can do it, anybody can do it," said Clarida's Troupe 23 scout master, Rick Nelson. "If you can't envision yourself doing something, you can't do it."

It started with a trip to New Mexico two years ago.

When his scout master urged him to go, Clarida decided to attend a "trek," or a 10-day backpacking trip, at Philmont Scout Ranch, a 214-square foot Boy Scouts of America base near the town of Cimarron, New Mexico.

The ranch features rugged, mountainous terrain with 55 trail camps and elevations that range from 6,500 to 12,441 feet. It is also a working horse and cattle ranch.

Clarida sold raffle tickets, mowed lawns, performed odd jobs and sought donations until he had raised the more than $750 camp fee, plus extra for travel and spending money.

The ranch offers activities in archaeology, shooting, archery, rock climbing, rappelling, caring for cows and horses, farming, camping, astrology, blacksmithing, tomahawk-throwing, and of course, hiking.

"It's an incredible experience that most scouts don't get to experience. They read about it and they dream about it," scout master Nelson said.

When Clarida got back from his trip, Nelson said with a laugh that he "wouldn't shut up about it for two months."

"It's the most beautiful place i've ever been to," Clarida said. Since his trek, he said, "I've been waiting to come back, but I wasn't able to. I was waiting until i got my eagle scout before I applied for a job here."

He became an eagle scout in May of this year. His two-day project was to install "boot brushes" at the Garden of the Gods and cleared four acres of invasive species.

"I have worked my butt off to get this achievement (the Eagle Scout badge)," Clarida said. "It shows you don't quit, finish everything you start, and that you have the drive, initiative and creativity."

The day after he received his Eagle Scout badge, Clarida applied for a summer job at Philmont. He landed one. They told him to be there by May 26.

"There are 5 to 10,000 scouts on any given summer wanting to work there," Nelson said. "The odds are long. It's a dream job for anybody, let alone a little kid from Harrisburg, Illinois."

Clarida works four long days on as a lineman and dishwasher in the dining hall, and has three days off to do whatever he likes on the ranch.

"It's the most energetic place," Clarida said. "Our job is to make people's day." The dining hall workers get to dance, sing and act goofy to keep the diners cheery.

On his off days, Clarida said, he gets to go into the back country to hike. His biggest achievement so far at Philmont has been to hike the "Black Death" trail, which crosses 25 miles of mountaintops. He and his friends did it in a day and a half.

Meeting new people and friends has been one of the most rewarding and challenging things about working at Philmont, Clarida said. He used to have trouble taking with people, and said he wasn't as nice as he is now.

"I'm meeting tons of people and I made great friends," Clarida said. "But I've also met people I can't stand. I'm learning how to cope with people I don't like. It has helped me become way more self-confident."

"I'm also a lot kinder than I used to be," he added. "The staff is like a family. We are all helping each other, and we all stand together and support each other in our endeavors. You have to be kind to these people, and then people show appreciation and you just keep doing that."

Working at the remote camp has also taught Clarida the importance of focus, and not allowing distractions to take over.

"I've grown a lot, and you grow and mature. You develop your own character," he said.

Since starting at Philmont, Clarida has found time to pursue his developing love of reading. When he spoke with The Daily Register, he was rereading "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley. Other favorites include George Orwell's "1984," poetry and Ernest Hemingway.

When he gets back to Illinois on August 20, Clarida will begin preparing for his first day at Southern Illinois University Carbondale as a geology major with a focus in petroleum geology and sedimentary geology.

When he first went to Philmont, Clarida's interest in geology was sparked by a presentation by a geologist. After that and doing research on the topic for different projects in school, Clarida decided to pursue his interest.

"But I could completely change my mind," the young man said lightheartedly. "I hear that happens."

Clarida will return from Philmont on August 20, and will start at SIU on August 26.

If he had any advice for other kids, Clarida said it's important to take that first step.

"I don't want to give some cliché like follow your dreams because you have to put in the work. It's so hard to just get started, but once you get the momentum going, and you find the support, you can really get going. Just stay strong," he said.

He's also looking forward to showing friends and family his new self and how he's changed.

"I can't wait to see what everybody says when I get back," Clarida said. "I've completely changed as a person."

"And my calves are getting ginormous," he added proudly.

Clarida hopes to return to work at Philmont next summer and every summer after that until he graduates.