[Philmont] training treks

 Bill thanks for the post. A little more info may shed a little light.

 Our troop is just 4 years old. I am the second SM and prior to that I
was the Chaplain. I was not a boy scout (stopped at Webelos) and only
one of my SMs was a scout. We have essentially zero experience at the
adult/scout level in backpacking. As a fairly new troop we did not have
many boys who would even meet the requirements to go to Philmont until
this year - not that that is an excuse. As I came into the SM position I
focused my attention on some areas that I saw (IMO) were lacking - Patrol
method being the main one in year one. After that, I focused on training
- scouts (and SMs). Getting the boys trained in the district and
national levels was my focus last year. As I begin my third year (troops
5th) we are focusing on moving to a more mobile (read less car-camping)
troop with a long-term goal (~ 1 or 2 more years) of becoming a
backpacking/climbing troop and getting into venturing.

I appreciate all of the input from the list thus far - keep the info
coming!

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: bill55@comcast.net
  To: "Philmont List Member"
  Subject: [Philmont] training treks
  Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:37:52 +0000

  I want to take a moment to focus on that part of the post that
  states: "we are not a backpacking troop (yet)", not for the purpose
  of criticizing the poster, but for the general good. In my troop, as
  a matter of policy, we schedule one backpacking weekend a year, on
  the AT or similar terrain. We try to make the trip within the ability
  range of all but the brand newest of the new scouts. A few of our
  adults are not up to backpacking, and some of the youth find it not
  their cup of tea, but we make it a point that the skill be introduced
  once yearly, even knowing that some will not sign up for that trip.
  Two regularly scheduled monthly weekends for backpacking, we feel in
  our situation, would cramp the style of those who can't or don't
  backpack, so we keep it at one. We don't let it go to zero, however.
  Knowing that this type of trip will appear on the schedule, like
  clockwork, usually gets the scouts to purchase a backpack, a sleeping
  bag both light and compact, and other suitable gear, so they're at
  least on the road to backpacking. Our backpacking scouts also are
  aware that, if they pick a weekend and round up a group of scouts
  (however limited) willing to commit to that weekend, I will round up
  at least one other adult and take them on extra backpacking trips.
  The part about picking a weekend and making a committment seems to
  stop them in their tracks, but the offer is out there. I'll be darned
  if I'll schedule an extra weekend over and above the committments
  I've already made to the troop program, and then chase the scouts to
  sign up. Our summer program includes backpacking and canoe treks.
  Although the Scout troop of my youth was all backpacking, all the
  time, and I am aware that some take that approach, we think this
  balance is best for the youth in our area. We don't, however, go to
  the opposite extreme, all car camping, all the time. Well, that's all
  I have. Bill Sheehan, ASMTroop 55, Pitman, NJPhilmont '70,'72, AA
  '01,'03,'05,'07 &'08

  
  
  
  
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