[philmont] Passport to High Adventure

John,
   
  After reading your post, I started to type a long diatribe to share the opposite viewpoint, but no matter how I worded it, it didn't sound like I wanted it to sound.
   
  The bottom line is this: The BSA stopped printing the Passport to Adventure because Scouts aren't into high adventure? I think not.
   
  Every Troop and Venturing Crew (and Cub Scout Pack, for that matter) is on their own to do as they want? I think not.
   
  The Passport to High Adventure is the Scouter's Bible when it comes to doing high adventure in the unit, as well as on the district and council level. It's an important piece of literature. Numbers in districts should have nothing to do with anything related to high adventure programs overall.
   
  And regarding Philmont? The BSA doesn't need the Passport to High Adventure to go to Philmont. They need it for the thousands of units that go backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, biking and whatever else they do.
   
  I'm going to look into this a bit to see if that publication is really dropped. I can't believe it would be. Maybe a new and updated version is on it's way.
   
  Pete Swiggum
  Green Bay, WI
   

John LeBlanc <philmontjohn@yahoo.com> wrote:
    Jon Jonas writes------------
   
  Passport to High Adventure and the Fieldbook are 2 of the best
pubs BSA has ever produced. But if National doesn't push it, no one
will hear about it
   
  **********************************************************
   
  Let's face it, run the numbers and you will find that National pushes numbers, total numbers, the bigger the numbers the better "it" looks for them. They let HIgh Adventure just run along on its own.
   
  I've known three excellent DE's who were in demographic changing (from residential to industrial) districts who could not up the registration numbers and all three got the axe.
   
  It did not matter the quality of the program, it does not matter how much popcorn is sold, what matters is to big picture, the bottom line number.
   
  With that thought in mind, where do high adventure programs stand?
   
  Lets say 15,000 Scouts do Philmont each year. Compare that with the total BSA registration and you will see it's a pretty small percentage that make it to High Adventure programs each year, Philmont being the largest.
   
  Philmont use has made tremendous strides in the past 15-20 years. Twenty years ago there was not a lottery or waiting list to go, you just went.
   
  But we live in a world of plenty right now and there are jobs for parents to work adn there is good transportation to take them and willing meat to go with them so Philmont flourishes.
   
  So where does the resources go at National? High adventure? I think not. Why of course, RECRUITMENT of new blood. Most DE's are willing to charter anything to get the numbers up.
   
  And that's not all bad. We need that for the perpetuation of the organization.
   
  But just be aware that High Adventure resources is a back burner issue with National. They won't admit that but it is.
   
  Pretty much you are on your own adn that is why a resource like this list and the spin off topics it generates and so important to the well being of High Adventure programs.
   
  Just look at the good water, bad water discussion we just finished. How many people got ideas on new places to go?
   
  I'll bet quite a few.
   
  So, for right now, keep up the good work and share the ideas.
   
  John LeBlanc
   
    
---------------------------------
  Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell.

-------------------------------------------------------
Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
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
-------------------------------------------------------
To Unsubscribe send text email to:

     To: listserv@troop47.com
     Subject: unsubscribe
     Body: unsubscribe philmont@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 24 14:47:26 2007