[philmont] Philmont 2008

Don't forget about Philmont's Cavalcade program.

A random drawing will be held in January 2007 for 2008 Cavalcades. To
participate in the drawing, notify Philmont in writing by January 1, 2007.

Participants in 8-day Cavalcades ride horseback over some of Philmont's
most scenic trails. Designed for chartered troops or venturing crews,
Cavalcade participants acquire riding and packing skills long in use in
the American West. The crew size is 10-15 participants, including leaders.
There is a 200 pound weight limit for all riders.

How hard is it to win the Cavalcade lottery?

Our troop had a Cavalcade in 1998. We entered the drawing twice (for 1997
& 1998) to get that one. Due to the non-repeat rule, we couldn't enter
for 1999. We entered for 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003, and were successful
in the 2003 drawing. Our Venturing Crew entered for 2002 and 2003 and was
successful in the 2003 drawing. Both our troop and crew entered the
drawing for 2006 but were not successful. Both entered again for 2007 and
the troop was successful.

The basic downside to the Cavalcade program is that crew members really
have to "like" riding horses all day and smelling like a horse too. :-)

According to the young people in our troop and crew who have done both,
the Cavalcade can actually be more exhausting than the backpacking program
because riders spend a great deal of time taking care of the horses and
controlling them while riding. Basically, in a Cavalcade, the horses come
first and the humans second. If crew members accept this fact, they will
do fine. If not, the experience won't be very pleasurable.

BTW, troops and crews with backpacking treks or Cavalcades booked for 2007
are not eligible to enter the 2008 Cavalcade drawing.

Accounts of our 2003 Cavalcades are here:
http://www.lns.cornell.edu/~seb/philmont-03cav625.html
http://www.lns.cornell.edu/~seb/philmont-03cav625-cw.html

YiS,

--
Calvin H. Gray
Scoutmaster, Troop 405
Associate Advisor, Venturing Crew 405
Georgetown, Texas
I used to be an Owl (WM-62-2-98 @ Philmont)
http://www.troop405.org/
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