Re: [Philmont]: 22 year old advisers

Well stated an worth a lot.

Thanks.

--
Joe Tavares
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> Another opinion, for what it's worth:  It is not the age per se, that 
> matters, but rather the training, depth of experience, and overall 
> maturity.  Usually the two are directly correlated, but not always.  We 
> have all seen plenty of older Advisors at Philmont (and in other 
> wilderness venues) that couldn't be trusted to safely run a back-yard 
> barbecue, never mind take a Crew into the backcountry.  And I have 
> personally seen some young 20's-year olds who were extraordinarily 
> competent.  The prior comment concerning young Scouters with active 
> military experience being an excellent example.
> 
> But as a general observation, older means better trained, more 
> experienced, and more mature - all very good attributes.  We all can 
> recall the old saw about who would you rather have in a tough fight, the 
> grizzled veterans with torn and dirty uniforms, or the spruce new 
> recruits that look fabulous on a parade field?  (Keeping in mind, of 
> course, that in our case some of the "spruce new recruits" are 50 years 
> old.)
> 
> Anyway, there is a lot to be said for depth and breadth of experience. 
> Another old aphorism - anyone can camp in the sunshine.  But can you 
> handle it when you have a cascading series of problems, multiplying and 
> then augmenting each other in a synergistic disaster?  That is when 
> "been here before, seen this before" is an great comfort and safety net 
> - even if you don't recognize it at the time.  I submit that in a really 
> hairy, multiple problem situation, a few 22 year olds would do quite 
> well, most would do OK, and some would disintegrate before your eyes. 
> The same is true of course, for an equal number of 50 year olds, but the 
> bell curve shifts a good amount to the left on the above scale.  Who 
> would you rather have leading your Crew in a tight spot, John LeBlanc, 
> Calvin Grey, Jim Moss, Al Thompson - or yourself at the age of 22?
> 
> I plead the Fifth....
> 
> - Dr. Bob
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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> 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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> 
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
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Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
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-------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------------