[Philmont]: Cooking Pots---a contrarian view

Special pots, turkey bags, etc. etc. etc.
 
An alternative view on this and one which used to be the ONLY view a few years ago is to simply go to Philmont and to use what Philmont issues to a crew. The Philissue gear is quite adequate.
 
We have become a nation of spoiled gadget hounds. We want our food instantly fixed and have lost sight of the value learned in cooking a meal from scratch in a regular pot.
 
We are teaching our Scouts that they MUST have the BEST equipment available.
 
In short we are failing our children.
 
Failing them by teaching them or rather not teaching them that there is value in being able to take on a pile of equipment, some of which they have never seen or used and to use that equipment to get the job done.
 
I could go on and on for hours on this value, but I'll do what I do best and cut to the chase.
 
One of our Venture crew members is in Bagdad with the U S Army as I type this. Two years ago he was on the trail at Philmont. He is a mechanic. His job is to keep the Humvees humming and the Bradleys bradleying. When he was here on leave for Christmas, I asked him what skill he took with him that he used most often. His reply was "to make do with what you got or rather don't have". He went on to explain that many times they don't have what they need, so they either make it or convert it. Asked if Scouting skills helped him, he told me that especially the times when they improvised various things while camping.
 
We talked about Philmont. When he went, the crew just took what Philmont issued and made it do even though they had not used this particular piece of equipment but had use similar stuff.
 
So.............when thinking turkey bags, the perfect boots and the best raingear, consider letting your crew arrive at Philmont and take on a task and get the job done with what they are given.
 
There is value in that and you are not a bad leader by not getting them the best stuff. In fact, you are a much better leader for helping boys become adaptable men.
 
At least just think about it.
 
John LeBlanc
Philmont 1959 & 2002

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Received on Thu Feb 19 22:28:57 2004