> In addition, you have to
> allow time to put the packs on and load the burro and also to care for
> the burro after you arrive. This was about .5 to 1 hour on each end.
>
The ends of some burros require more time than others. Sorry, I couldn't
resist.....
On a more serious note, Mark Griffin, former Philmont Training Center
Director, posted this on the old Bowline Philmont List in March 1999:
******
As a Florida flatlander I pushed burros every time I came to Philmont -
twice as a Scout and twice as an adult. Even though I would have preferred
not to an adult, I did not want my Scouts to miss out on a unique
opportunity to experience this part of the "Old West". Some of my best
Philmont memories as a Scout in 1972 were the burro races at Harlan and
trying to get the burros to cross the river at Turkey Creek canyon the next
day.
By getting going early, I also never missed program, even pushing from
Miranda to Pueblano. We also got to Ponil in record time on the second day
because the burros were in a hurry. It would have been impossible to get
lost because the burros wouldn't let us off the trail.
Don't pass up the burro packing opportunity, and don't say no in advance for
your Scouts. I have found that the vast majority of the crew problems at
Philmont are due to negative comments and poor leadership among advisers.
Even thought my dad hated spreadables, he always acted like it was the best
meal and his Scouts ate them with no problem. I tried it in 91 and it
worked then too. I drives me nuts to hear advisers put something down, food
or program, and not let the Scouts experience it for themselves.
******
Like Mark, my advice is to take the burros if your crew has the opportunity.
Or, at least let the youth crew members make the decision. Isn't the
program for them rather than us adults?
YiS,
-- Calvin H. Gray Scoutmaster, Troop 405 Associate Advisor, Venturing Crew 405 Georgetown, Texas I used to be an Owl (WM-62-2-98 @ Philmont) http://www.troop405.org/ ------------------------------------------------------- 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. -------------------------------------------------------Received on Fri Aug 29 12:42:30 2003
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