From: Jason A. Cotting (p2ranger@anvilgear.com)
Date: Wed Feb 05 2003 - 08:43:13 CST
I agree with what John is saying. I don't think he is saying that parents should not go with children. I believe its a great experience for both when it is shared. I think the point is the vision that Waite Phillips (Philmont's benefactor) had when he gave the gifts.
Waite and his brother Wiate left home at an early age and set out on there own. It was on these journies that they grew up and learned much about life. Waite allowed Scouts to use his land before he gave the gift. Here he saw how the Scouts use of the land did for the boys much of what he experienced when he left home. Waite understood the importance of how this allowed boys to grow up to be sucessful citizens.
While Philmont is a vacation for all involved, it should be remebered that for the youth, the experience of the hardships is the most important thing. I think its great that parents can experience Philmont with parents as it will allow for a lifetime of good memories. The only negative that can occur (not always, but it is possible) is when Mom or Dad are present, there is still a safety blanket there. That or the parents just won't let baby experience any hardships.
I saw this play out this weekend on a campout with my troop. One of the fathers has babied his son throughout Cub Scouts and on into the Boy Scouts. The father said he was going to try to let his son "go it on his own for the first time" this weekend. Well, pops was there babying his son while we were getting packed up Saturday morning. Then on Saturday afternoon, dad showed up with a box of fried chicken and biscuts for his son "just in case the cooking didn't go well".
I understand there is the desire as a parent to make sure your children have the best life has to offer. But there will come a day when mom and dad are not there. In my opinion, it is best if mom and dad let this happen gradually in small doses while the child is still under their care until the day they leave the nest so it won't be a shock to all who are involved.
If I am blessed with having children one day, you better believe I want to be there when my child goes through the Philmont experience. I know it will be tough to sit and watch as my child experiences a hardship, but I know that seeing my child overcome this will make for an awesome moment.
As I stated before, mom and dad need to make sure they will not interfere when hardships arise on the trail. Junior needs to know that he/she is on their own. Just because it is your child, there should be no special favors while on the trail. If mom and dad believe they can do this, great go for it. If they don't think so, then maybe they should consider not being in the same crew. I agree that no one should tell a parent they can't go for this reason alone, but I believe it is very important this point (parents not showing special favor to children) be hammered down and understood before crew assignments are made.
Jason
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Retired Ranger
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