From: Jerry Lewis (jerrylewis@attbi.com)
Date: Tue Apr 30 2002 - 20:06:59 CDT
I'll admit I've been in a massive state of denial for the past 2 months. I figured
if I didn't think about it that Philmont would magically undo the drought that's
besetting the great Southwest for the past few years. Alas, I think the waiting's
over; and the bride--she ain't a' comin'.
I've decided to go ahead and tell my crew about the impact of Philmont's having a
low-water year. I've wrestled and wrestled with it but think this is the better of 2
bad things. I'm going to do a session on things they may be expecting from their
Philmont experience that are probably not going to happen. My theory is it's better
to burst some balloons here at home than fail to live up to expectations out there.
Besides, IF by some miracle, a wonderful thing happens and the not-expected thing
actually happens, it'll be that much sweeter.
Here's what I feel I have to tell them:
Although Philmont is fairly flexible, there are a few ways they have shown to be
extremely predictable. Low water conditions is one, fire danger is another. In low
water years, Philmont's very worried about keeping base camp afloat--literally. They
are also worried about keeping the backcountry water table high enough to serve ALL
the campers the entire summer. So, they'll take measures that in June appear to be
over kill. I've been there in 3 such times, 2 were just low water, the 3rd was that
plus state-decreed fire danger.
Philmont will cut off all stand-up-in showers in the back country. One year they did
that, the one at PJ was kept open. Dunno why. It may be because in the South
Country, the Rayado was running fine. Now, amazingly for those of us who worship
it's alluring sounds and clear water, the Rayado's down to almost nothing. They'll
also not allow the use of the big laundry tubs in some staff camps; some CD's,
however, allow their use. Dunno why.
In fire danger summers, which this one is most certainly expected to be, the State of
New Mexico takes Philmont administration out of the decision-making loop. The state
will mandate no campfires and no black powder rifle shooting. In 1999, my
no-water+fire-danger year, the staff at Crater Lake and Beaubien both held campfires,
but confined it to a bucket. Still enjoyed every minute, just couldn't stare into
the fire and embers and imagine magical things. Dunno if even that'll be allowed
this year. Branding will be done with propane burners that allow the iron to be
layed across. So will the chuck wagon dinners be prepared. In '99, the fire danger
lifted enough by July to re-instate black powder shooting; but still no campfires, at
least in early July.
I'll also make sure, though, that the crew knows all is not lost. We WILL NOT have
to go without showers or the luxury of washing clothes. It just means we're going to
have to make provisions for it in our crew gear. We were already taking a spray
attachment for a Dromedary to wash the poop off our hands better. Now, we'll be
taking two. Maybe, we'll even invent some sort of siphon hose from our water
containers. I know we'll have to rig up some sort of wrap-around privacy screen for
showering, supplying the water from containers hung overhead--all near the sump, of
course. We'll each, Scouts and adults alike, have to do better jobs of bottom,
underarm, and body wash rag washing each night instead of the usual
whenever-it-gets-too-stinky routine. That'll mean little privacy screen tarps to
hang at both ends of the dining fly. (Thank goodness for silnylon!)
I'm convinced we can do this and Philmont will still be the fantastic and amazing
experience desired by all our crew. Although I'll be crying inside when I say all
the above (because I really, really hate loosing the campfires, black powder, and a
couple of showers), I'll be all smiles and upbeat. We'll just make lemonade, etc.
etc.
This gloom and doom message was brought to you by the folks who don't want to
pre-spoil any of you rookies' Philmont. It's just time that we accept the bitter
truth, suck it up, and do what we always do--keep Scouting and having more fun than
the law allows in spite of whatever.
Jerry Lewis
ASM & Advisor 625-K5 2002, Trip 4
Troop 303, McKinney TX
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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
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