Assistant Scoutmaster Jeremy Bethancourt of Troop 194 (Surprise) shares how one week at Spade Ranch challenged Scouts, strengthened leaders, and built lasting confidence.
At Camp Geronimo’s Spade Ranch Program, Scouts and Adventure Crew members don’t simply spend a week outdoors—they immerse themselves in a high-adventure experience designed to build confidence, resilience, leadership, and lifelong memories.
From technical climbing and rappelling to cave exploration, backpacking, and team-based challenges, every activity encourages participants to stretch beyond what they thought possible. Success isn’t measured by reaching the top of a cliff or navigating a cave—it’s measured by discovering the confidence to take the next step.
Assistant Scoutmaster Jeremy Bethancourt of Troop 194, Surprise, experienced Spade Ranch firsthand during Session 2 in 2026. As both a parent and leader, he witnessed remarkable growth—not only in the Scouts he accompanied, but in himself as well.
Below is Jeremy’s reflection on the week and why he believes Spade Ranch is one of Scouting Arizona, Grand Canyon Council’s most impactful adventures.
As a parent of a Scout who attended, an Assistant Scoutmaster for several participating Scouts, and an Associate Advisor for Adventure Crew members, I had the opportunity to experience Spade Ranch from multiple perspectives.
Based on my experience, I can confidently say that attending Spade Ranch is one of the most rewarding experiences a Scout or adult leader can have within the Grand Canyon Council. Throughout the week, I watched Scouts face challenges that genuinely terrified them. With the support of staff, adult leaders, and fellow Scouts, they confronted those fears and accomplished things they never believed they could do.
As an adult leader, I was challenged as well. During our spelunking adventure, I had to face one of my own lifelong fears. I’ve never been comfortable in confined spaces, and there was no avoiding that discomfort while navigating caves. Many of our Scouts experienced those same feelings. There were plenty of nervous moments, but I watched those young adults work through their fears at their own pace. With encouragement from the entire group, they found the confidence to keep moving forward and ultimately overcome them.
I also watched Scouts who were terrified of heights stand frozen on the side of a cliff before finding the courage to take the next step. With patience, encouragement, and determination, every one of them pushed through that fear. Watching those young people discover what they were capable of was incredibly rewarding, not only as an Assistant Scoutmaster, but as someone who has had the privilege of watching many of them grow over the years.
Spade Ranch is about far more than outdoor adventure. It’s about developing confidence, resilience, teamwork, and leadership through experiences that challenge both youth and adults alike.
Personally, I believe the Spade Ranch program at Camp Geronimo stands alongside some of Scouting’s premier high-adventure experiences. The week was physically and mentally demanding, but every challenge was meaningful, every accomplishment was earned, and every participant left stronger because of it.
If you have the opportunity to attend Spade Ranch—whether as a Scout, Adventure Crew member, or adult leader—I encourage you to take it. You’ll leave with more than memories. You’ll leave knowing you’re capable of more than you ever expected.
Yours in Scouting,
Jeremy Bethancourt
Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 194
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