PLC or E Square

My Story By Earl Mullennax

PLC  comes from Wood Badge by the way of Exploring.  At a Varsity Wood Badge course that Doug Brewer was Course Director in 1984 [abt.], they discussed how to help Exploring in Utah. From that Varsity course, the idea for ELI (Explorer Leadership Institute) was born.  The first ELI was held by the Utah National Parks Council. The course was written by BYU Professors.

In 1986 I went to Boy Scout Wood Badge.  I had a great time.   Then in 1987 I was selected to serve on a Philmont Commissioner Staff.  My wife Diane and my sons Phillip and Kevin went with me.  That was a great experience. 

I was chosen for an ELI [Explorer Leadership Institute] staff in 1988. Then I was for the second summer to serve on another ELI Staff.   Diane went with me.  She helped cook.  It was at the Teton Canoe Base at Hoback Jct, Wyoming.   At this ELI course, the thought hit me to do this for the youth in Taylorsville, Utah.

I was the Chairman for Olde English Fort District at the time. I said to Bob Lewis that we needed to do E2, the youth training in Exploring, in Taylorsville.  Bishop Lewis was planning to go to the Council E2 [Explorer training] for youth which was held at the Teton Canoe Base as well.  He was T-ville Central Stake Y. M. President then.  Bishop Lewis took Dustin and Justin and four other young men from his stake to E2 in ‘89 and these young men became the youth leaders for our first Taylorsville course in ‘90.

In September ‘89, Bishop Lewis & I [EFM] started the planning and training of this staff, with help from Nate Noyes, Craig Hall, Preston Hunt, and Alan Lord.  We put together the first E2 Explorer training. We use the same format now as we did over a decade ago.

I asked all the stake Young Mens Presidents to come and meet with me, to be support. The men included Robert Lewis, Allan Lord, Robert Elzinga, and Joseph Smout.  We had staff meetings all winter, and picked an EPA.  Robert Lewis was my right hand and EPA Advisor. Diane Mullennax took care of the kitchen with Darleen Hunt and Pat  Smout.

At the adult Explorer Leadership at HOBACK Jct., the leaders had a rubber chicken called Chester!!! At training meeting that Charles Dahlquist ran, he introduced some songs. Besides “Princes Pat”, there was the song “Frog Kissin’,“ by Chet Atkins.  Our son Chip has been given a cloth frog, Mr. Toad, by my sister.  Diane made a frog from the same vintage.  It was pink.  Diane had made me ties for years so out of pink wool she made the staff ties . A dollar a tie. The kids at the course named the frog “Speck.” We sang “Frog Kissin’.”  And that was why we called the mock radio station KFROG.

On a Monday in June 1990 we left for the location, a camp called Timberlane two hours south of T-VILLE [SLC, UT.]  The camp was owned by the Taylorsville and Bennion LDS Stakes. It’s a section and a 1/4 of timber land that stands at 9,124 feet. On Tuesday morning I could hear the pitter-patter of rain on the roof of the A-frame we were sleeping in. I put on my coat and hat and walked to the highest point above our camp.  I pleaded for clear skies and bright sun to shine on us.   I thought for a moment I would be Exploring’s biggest Joke.

The previous year I had asked various Salt Lake Council officials if I should proceed with these plans. I had some nay sayers, but the Vice Chairman of Exploring, Charles Dahlquist and my good friend Doug Brewer were cheering for it and they both still are. Thanks, Friends.

The sun did come out.  We had a great week, with great young men.

I recently sat in the office of a young chiropractor and recalled his time at the first E Squared. He said he suggested as a member of the outdoor committee to go to Price and see the sights as the activity.

We added KFROG, a mock radio station, for some music and as an announcement center. About ‘92, we changed the name to Priests Leadership Conference. We had to change to Venturing, VOA, and from Post to Crew. I was Course Director for the first two and have been to all 14. Diane has been at all but one!!! IF IT AIN’T BROKE, DON’T FIX IT [PLC].

We’ve had about 743 young men come to the mountain top.  I see them in my mind and in person.  I go to their Missionary farewells and home comings and wedding receptions.  One is now a young Bishop. I would guess that well over 85% have served missions.  David Garrison served a great mission and is now (Dec 03) in the war zone. Weston, Jason, Dustin, Justin, Ryan, Trent, Quin and Steve, Phillip, Justin, Gabe, Roger, Doug, Jordan, Mark, Aaron, B.J., D.J., Cameron, Kent, Todd, 743 GREAT YOUNG MEN and their stories. OTHERWISE IT’S THE SAME AS WE STARTED.