[Philmont]: 22 year old advisers

Joe Tavares wrote: I do want to specifically state (and I'm sorry to be so harsh) that I would, as a parent, NEVER allow my teenage son go on a Philmont expedition with a 22 year old lead advisor and 2 or 3 advisors under the age of 21. I don't want to start an argument over that, I would just as soon not allow him to go given that situation.

Comment: No argument here, but long ago in another day and time in the dark past of BSA one deep leadership (1974), I was a 22 year old Philmont Crew adviser. It was my second trip to the Ranch and my first as an adviser. I was the youngest adviser the Council ever sent out to Philmont. We were a crew of 15 total (yes, I said 15) with seven boys from my Troop and seven boys from another troop. The council knew and trusted me as did the parents. It was an interesting study of rural farm boys together with a troop where most of the parents were quite well off. We had a great time with no problems. The boys worked together, learned from each other and I saw several boys grow up a lot in those 12 days. At least 10 of those 14 young men went on to become Eagle Scouts. I was also a solo crew adviser in 1980 with 13 boys and myself.

I am a father of two sons age 22 and 23, both Eagle Scouts and 3 Philmont treks each under their belt. I would have no problem with either of them being an adviser. They are both trusted enough to stand in front of a school classroom of young people and educate them.

My point: Don't sell a 22 year old short. There are quite a few of them making life and death decisions about the other young men and women under their command in a desert country half way around the world right now.

Ken Flanagan
Philtreks X 10
AA X 2

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Received on Wed Aug 17 22:56:06 2005