[Philmont]: Food Cross-Contamination (was Cameras)

Again, a matter of training. I emphasize "Eat Neat" on shakedowns, and
occasionally offer needed, sharp reminders when we're trekking anywhere
in bear country (not just Philmont). In my mind, the primary culprit in
food contamination at Philmont is in meal prep - it is important that
the Scouts are trained not to "dust" themselves (or anyone else) when
preparing meals. Many Philmont meals have lots of dust in them. It is
critical that the Scouts are mindful of the wind, fellow trekkers, and
their equipment, especially when the wind is blowing. It is also why a
pair of scissors or (less so) a knife is much better to open packages
than ripping them open by hand. And why packages should be virtually
inside the pot when they are being emptied. Also avoid having Scouts
pour raw drink mix into their mouths, straight from the packages - a
popular trick that is almost always a food contamination disaster. This
problem is also why I am not a fan of the individualized meal prep in
plastic bags - another situation that routinely results in dusting of
Scouts (I admit that I am in the minority on that view, at least lately,
but I've see way too many mistakes made through the years - all
completely harmless until the night that it ain't.)

Understand that no matter what you do, food contamination is a way of
life at Philmont. So you minimize it as best as you can. (In addition
to the precautions noted above,) this is why you only wear separate
"night clothes" to bed, and everything you had on during the day, right
down to your boots or camp-shoes and underwear, are placed outside your
tent at night. Also why your water bottles (which should only contain
water, ever) are placed in the fire pit at night, even though they've
only had ever water in them (and in the bear-bags if otherwise). And
why the trekkers should clean both themselves and their clothes when
it's allowed (and why I stand out in the rain and allow myself to get a
cold drenching on years where showers are a rarity). Intentionally
"going grunge" for an entire trek is just stupid, plain and simple -
it's bad enough when you don't have a choice, but at least you have some
options if you're making an effort. And so on and so forth. This has
to become second nature for you and your Scouts.

I can personally guarantee every member of this list that if you are
closely observent of your fellow Crews at Philmont, you will be
absolutely appalled at the carelessness of some people with respect to
food safety (and many other things). As I have said on this list
before, it is simply amazing that we don't have trekkers attacked
routinely at Philmont and elsewhere. All in all, bears are a lot better
behaved than we deserve.

- Dr. Bob

tom fitzpatrick wrote:
> In observing the youth members of our crews, I have watched them eat and
> often wonder if everything they touch is a smellable? they eat lunch
> with their hands, pick up the water bottle for a swig - wouldn't the
> transfer of food particles now make that item a smellable?
>

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Received on Thu Apr 15 19:27:38 2004