RE: [Philmont]: 22 year old advisers

At the risk of escalating this again, I never said they couldn't lead, I
believe my comment said those capable were few and far between. I stand by
that. Advisor at 21 or 22, OK; LEAD Advisor? I don't think so. A few may
work out, but I don't want to be on the back end of the one that doesn't.
Too many children (yep, I used the "c" word) to be left to the
responsibility of a 22 year old that was suddenly large and in charge.

   _____

From: owner-philmont@troop47.com [mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com] On
Behalf Of Ken Flanagan
Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 10:41 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
Subject: [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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