The Newest Keepers of the Flame
On Tuesday evening, after the day’s activities ended, milk & cookies had been eaten, and Evening Embers wrapped up, everyone in camp was quietly preparing for bed.
Everyone except for 7 Journeymen.
As detailed in last week’s blog, Journeymen are campers that have reached the highest level (Warrior) in three different activities, as well as consistently display that they live by the Falling Creek Code. They are then eligible to challenge themselves on a “Journey” which happens at an unknown time towards the end of the Main Camp session. Those that successfully complete all parts of the Journey then become Keepers of the Flame. It turned out that their Journey would begin on Tuesday night.
Counselors John Stanfill (who became a Keeper in 2021) and Gideon Koehring (who was a Journeyman last summer) gathered the 2026 Journeymen to begin the challenging Journey. They were also joined by William D. a current Man of STEEL who was the most recent person to earn Keeper of the Flame in 2023.
The 2026 Journeymen are:
- Berkley W. (Cabin 40) - mentor is Johnny “Beans” Ervin
- Grant L. (Cabin 40) - mentor is John Stanfill
- Andrew K. (Cabin 38) - mentor is Anthony Johnson
- Jack C. (Cabin 39) - mentor is Eleanor Donohue
- Wade M. (Cabin 40) - mentor is Jacob Breed
- Jack T. (Cabin 38) - mentor is Jack Brooker
- Carter L. (Cabin 30) - mentor is Joan Cañellas
The challenges during the Journey maintain an element of mystery, but they include building and tending a fire with limited matches, a service component to chop wood for future Campfires, reflection with a writing prompt, and a strategy and orienteering portion to find checkpoints hidden throughout the 900+ acres of camp property, all while in complete silence. Each young man showed incredible strength of body, mind, and spirit during these tests of endurance and discipline.
For most Journeymen, the two most difficult parts happen at the very beginning and the very end: the initial firebuilding and the final orienteering challenge. After the Journeymen had gathered together with their mentors and the staff members leading the Journey, they needed to start a fire with limited matches, and ensure they could fuel it with enough wood to keep it going during the night.
“The firebuilding was the toughest part for me,” recalls Carter L., who attempted the Journey for the first time this year.
“I brought my headlamp but it died unexpectedly right after we started, so I had to try and light my fire in the dark.” Carter was able to persevere and get his fire started though. He, along with Berkley W., Jack T., and Grant L., moved on to the next part of the Journey.
Jack C., Wade M., and Andrew K. did not manage to complete the firebuilding portion, and remain Journeymen. Those who are campers next year can attempt the Journey to become Keepers of the Flame again if they wish, but we are so proud of them for making it this far.
“Just to get to Journeyman is such an achievement,” said John Stanfill. “I told them that they should be proud, because this is something hardly anyone does.”
Anthony Johnson, Andrew’s mentor, echoed that praise. “I’m proud of Andrew for continuing to try.” This was Andrew’s third Journey, but he’s planning to try again next year. “I know he’s not gonna quit,” said Anthony.
As for the other four Journeymen, they moved on to the remaining parts of the Journey, which lasted into Tuesday morning and afternoon. During the morning they chopped wood for future Campfires, a service that positively impacts everyone in camp. Despite feeling fatigued at this point in the day, they all had the final orienteering challenge left.
Yates Pharr hides 10 checkpoints across camp’s wooded acres, and the Journeymen have 4 hours to reach them. Finding the checkpoints on the map is one thing, but actually navigating to the spot, finding the checkpoint, and doing so efficiently is what makes this a difficult test of both strategy and endurance.
In addition to the map and compass, each Journeyman also gets a radio, and must check in with the directors periodically. Aside from the checkins, the Journeymen have to do all of this in continued silence, and carry their heavy overnight backpacks the whole time.
The orienteering began at 12:06pm on Tuesday, as the 4 Journeymen set out on their final challenge. They are given 4 hours, but the fastest ever time was set by John Stanfill at 1 hour and 50 minutes when he became a Keeper in 2021.
Berkley W. was not only attempting to become a Keeper of the Flame, but also wanted to beat the fastest record. He had been making great time on his checkpoints, but still had a couple left. Yates was waiting for him at the bell right after lunch, just in case he would show up early.
As time went on, more campers and staff gathered, eagerly waiting for Berkley to come triumphantly out of the woods. The clock approached the 1 hour 50 minute mark, and everyone started to get nervous.
Would he beat the time? Would he make it at all?
Suddenly, with 6 minutes left until the record, Berkley was spotted! He smiled with fatigue and relief as he handed Yates his map, which had to be verified to make sure he reached all the checkpoints. Everyone waited, trying not to be prematurely excited, as Yates quietly checked his map and the checkpoint punches.
“Did he get it?” “Shhh!” “If he’s not right, he still has so much time.” “I think he’s gonna make it.” There were whispers as everyone waited to hear the verdict.
Yates looked up from the map and reached out to shake Berkley’s hand. “Congratulations, you’re the newest Keeper of the Flame.” “YES!” shouted Berkley, as everyone cheered and clapped him on the back. He was the first Keeper since 2023, and broke a 5 year record for speed.
The celebrations weren’t over yet though. For the first time since 2021, a second Journeyman was returning to the Dining Hall with all his checkpoints reached. It was Carter L., a first-time Journeyman and the youngest ever!
More cheers erupted as Yates confirmed that he was a Keeper of the Flame. We would be celebrating not one, but two new Keepers! Both stayed around to congratulate their fellow Journeymen as they returned to the Dining Hall.
Berkley shaking the hand of counselor John Stanfill, who previously set the fastest record when he achieved Keeper in 2021.
Grant L. and Jack T. were not able to find all the checkpoints in time, but they put in a valiant effort. “I looked for checkpoint #6 for almost an hour,” said Grant, as he, Berkley, and Carter traded stories and talked about the day’s challenges. They may not have found all the checkpoints, but their Warrior Spirit and Positive Attitude during the Journey is admired by all in the camp community.
“Are you tired?” someone asked Berkley. “Oh my gosh, yeah. I was just locked in. But now I feel free. This was hanging over me for 3 years,” he said with relief. After not making it past the firebuilding portion of the Journey for two years in a row, Berkley had focused on practicing his firebuilding this summer, and it paid off.
Carter L. had only earned Journeyman status this summer, and managed to get Keeper of the Flame on his first attempt. As a Warrior in Backpacking, he said that the map reading skills he learned on trips were crucial.
“I had to teach orienteering preps to get my Warrior, and during backpacking trips we are always reading maps. It helped a ton for this,” Carter said. “My new goal? Probably just getting some sleep.”
We are incredibly proud of all that these 5 Journeymen and 2 new Keepers have accomplished. We hope they feel the same pride in their hard work and the positive impact they have had so far as role models for the camp community.