From: Michael G. Heitmann (n0so@charter.net)
Date: Wed Aug 07 2002 - 09:11:16 CDT
>I know this thread is getting threadbare, but I'd like to share a
>positive experience on the topic. We had one member of our crew have to
>drop out 10 days before our departure for Philmont because of a severe
>arm fracture that required surgery. A scout from a neighboring troop expressed
>interest in filling the slot. He, like those mentioned on earlier posts,
>is overweight and terribly out of shape. He had not, of course, done any
>of our training hikes. My gut feel when we first met was that adding him
>at the last minute was a mistake, but we did add him in.
>First day, with even the short distance to be covered, Sam had
>difficulty...lots of difficulty; after all he was carrying an extra 50
>pounds before putting on his pack.
.
.
.
>The second morning, various members of the crew each took part
>of Sam's load.
.
.
.
>I was dreading the next day, with the long climb of Phillips, carrying
>extra water. The crew leader, however, solved the pacing problem. He
>appointed one of the strongest but most disciplined members as the pace
>setter for the day. Sam was placed second in the line instead of
>allowing him to slip to the back. Grady set a steady 1 mph pace that Sam
>could keep and everyone else followed. We stayed together and made it to
>the top together. A big improvement, solved by the crew leader and crew.
>Several days later, when we faced the steep uphill out of Fish Camp, Sam
>was having difficulties again. Without prompting from me, at about the
>4th rest stop, the crew started taking on even more of Sam's gear.
.
.
.
>The net of it was that Sam probably shouldn't have been on the trek.
>None of our crew knew him when we started and could easily have made it
>tough enough on him that he decided to quit. But they didn't. The
>entire crew, including Sam, DID make it back.
>Was it an ideal trek? No. Were some guys frustrated by the slow pace?
>You bet. Did we miss some programs because of pace and fatigue. Yeah.
>But it was the crew's decision and their success. I was never so proud
>of my guys.
Bravo! A great example of Scout Spirit, teamwork and plain old brotherly
love! Your entire crew (including Sam) should be commended for their
effort, and you have good reason to be proud of all of them.
Not to diminnish the importance of being in shape to do Philmont, this is
a good example for that as well, but the Scout Spirit example outweighs
(no pun intended) it by far!
YiS,
Mike
--- Mike Heitmann Scoutmaster Assistant, Troop 975 St. Charles, Missouri ------------------------------------------------------- Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe at http://usscouts.org/lists/ Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp ------------------------------------------------------- Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com ------------------------------------------------------- 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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