[Philmont] Unusual advise

I'll agree with Dr. Bob here. Over-ambition will lead to many not wanting another go at backpacking.

In my troop, I started the troop on backpacking 3 years ago by introducing a yearly 'first timer's trip'. We typically hike in to a mountain lake, short distance each way as an in and out trip. Typically, 3-4 miles in and 1000-1500 feet of elevation change each way.

Yes, we could do an even easier trip without the elevation change. I personally do not like to backpack into places you can drive a car, which includes most level hikes around here. My additional thinking is two-fold. First, the experience will not be a fair growing opportunity if there is no challenge involved. Second, I want to kids to experience the views, the decrease in other people, and hopefully a chance to play in the outdoors without having to worry about disturbing the neighbors at night.

Since we are a 'water' troop, and the lakes around here are populated on the weekends, there is almost always enforced quiet hours spring-fall.

Prior to this, it was once every 2-3 years, and just done as a difficult trip (25 miles in 3 days, with 5000+ feet elevation change for example).

It is a popular trip, with a lot of repeat attendees. Still, there are a few scouts who have decided after the trip that they are going to stick with car camping. It usually is not the smallest or weakest scouts either.

Of course, all of that could be related to my own experience. My very first Scout campout was backpacking the Grand Canyon as one of the smallest and weakest scouts (my twin brother was the other). We had missed our first campout opportunity because of chicken pox. Still, my dad has reminded me several times that I swore to him I would never go backpacking again after that experience, yet my hand was among the first up when the next backpacking chance came around.

Jack Thornton

----- Original Message ----
From: Dr. Bob Klein <drbob@troop111.org>
To: Philmont List Member <Philmont@troop47.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 8:56:37 PM
Subject: [Philmont] Unusual advise

While I agree with the spirit of John's post, I feel the need to offer
 a
caution. That being, if you aren't careful, you can very easily turn
off an entire group of Scouts to backpacking. If you "over-trek" on
your first backpacking weekend, it quite likely turn into your last
backpacking weekend. I have seen this many times in my career; it's a
real risk.

How can you "over-trek" on a weekend? Too many miles, too many pounds,
 
underprepared for lousy weather with inappropriate gear, or simple
inexperience on "how to". If you crush your Crew on their first
backpacking experience, most (and maybe all) won't be back for a second
 
helping. If you're going to follow John's advice, I suggest you keep
 it
simple and short to start. A common trick is to have your Crew
 backpack
a mile or two into a Camporee or similar event as a starter event. Or
to a easily accessed campsite at a state or federal park. In short,
learn to walk before trying to run.

- Dr. Bob

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Received on Wed Dec 19 10:19:10 2007