RE: [Philmont] - philmont Digest - V01 #1094

Alex,

Thanks for the response. I too had heard the reference to Philmont as a
'Scout Disneyland', but that did not keep me from being very excited about
going to Philmont, enjoying it immensely, not wanting to leave, and looking
forward to my next trek. Even as a first time Philmont trekker, I was not
offended by the 'Disneyland' reference, although I don't get offended very
easily anyways.

Due to the enormous waiting lists at Philmont, I am very interested in an
alternative for 2006 if we aren't lucky in the lottery. I would like to
have some information on the base if possible to allow the PLC to discuss
the alternatives.

Thanks,
David

  -----Original Message-----
  From: owner-philmont@troop47.com [mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com]On
Behalf Of EA1981GLE@aol.com
  Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 9:29 AM
  To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
  Subject: Re: [Philmont] - philmont Digest - V01 #1094

  In a message dated 8/23/2004 4:37:29 AM Alaskan Standard Time,
PARMLYD@pilottravelcenters.com writes:
    Alex, because you were a Philmont ranger (with a lower case r)I can tell
    that you loved your time at Philmont, but I have to say that when you
    throw out terms like "Disneyland" when comparing outdoor experiences,
    it's kind of insulting to the many thousands of people who made a trek
    at Philmont. I know you didn't mean it that way but look at it from the
    perspective of a 14 to 15 year old who looks up to Philmont rangers
  Sorry that you did not share where you were writing from. I do have my
suspicions.

  First, As mentioned in my post, no one has a deeper love and appreciation
for the ranch than me. It has done tremendous good for Scouting and the
thousands of participants who have trekked across those hallowed trails. As
I told another poster, I would be the first in line to get on the plane, the
bus, van, etc to go to Philmont should the opportunity present itself.

  I'm not sure what the Army Rangers had to do with your post. Attempts at
humor do not always go over well in emails.

  There are currently 20-25,000 people on the waiting list to attend
Philmont every year. That is a lot of people who will miss out on a great
adventure. We have a lot of people who are able to go to Philmont multiple
years because they are in large councils that send multiple crews.

  If youth have more opportunities to choose from, more people will get the
Philmont experience. Little Billy goes to Philmont in 2004 at age 15, has a
great time. Instead of going back to Philmont in 2005, he and and his
buddies go to Double H. 2006 they are ready for something new and he hears
about Alaska. Instead of taking up 3 spaces at Philmont, he takes one and
allows 2 other people the opportunity.

  The BSA has been trying to expand the scope of High Adventure bases in
recent years. The use of the Valle Vidal and now the creation of the new
camp in New Mexico are examples yet we still have waiting lists.

  Local councils are adding High Adventure opportunities all the time. The
Western Alaska High Adventure program is filling the void.

  There has been some discussion on other Scouting discussion groups about
what the BSA needs to do to attract and keep boys in Scouting. High
Adventure activities like Philmont, Double H, Sea Base, Ely, and
opportunities in Alaska do more for retaining youth than any other part of
the Scouting program.

  Alaska is not Philmont. Never will be. However, Alaska has something
that none of you folks in the "little state" have. It is Alaska. This
state is the best you could come up with short of inventing a time machine.
There are places that you cannot get to unless you hike in, boat in, or fly
in. No hearing the drone of highways. A true wilderness is out there and
there are kids who want that.

  We had 8 full time guides employed in our High Adventure base this year.
All of them had served in advanced leadership roles in the Philmont Ranger
Department. All of them bleed Philmont. All of them are coming back this
year because they saw the value of the program and it's potential.

  Yes, Alaska has bears. New York has muggers. Both can be potentially
deadly. Do we not take Scouts to New York because they could get mugger?
However, there are precautions to be taken against both to ensure a safe and
memorable experience.

  Sorry for the long post, but it kind of got to me.

  Based on the overwhelming positive repsonse I received, I will let the
list know when the site is up. Those of you who asked for immediate
information on 2005 treks have been passed along to the appropriate person.

  BTW, as of 7:26 am, Alaskan Time it is 52, blue skies with a high of 68
called for today. Oh, and the Silvers are running!

  Alex in AK

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Received on Mon Aug 23 12:48:12 2004