RE: [Philmont]: Burro Racing

So I'll agree with Rick & Jeff and take it a bit further.

Ranger Training *IS* your Crew's program on Day 2 (Trail day 1). It is the
only mandatory program and without question the most important. this is
where you will benefit for the collective wisdom of the thousands that came
before you and you will learn things that will not only make your stay at
the ranch an enjoyable one, but may save a life. That said, Jeff's advice
with regard to working with your Ranger is spot on, let him or her know what
you want to do and chances are together you can pull a plan together to
support it, if they are unwilling to do so .. respect that.

Now, as is my practice, I'll push the envelope a bit ...

I read with much amusement the debates of Philmont's back country protocol,
what is right and what isn't, what you have to do and what you don't and the
various rational's for the stated positions. At the end of the day there
are interesting insights, rational sounding alternatives and some wacky ones
as well. But as the line in Top Gun goes: "...the rules are in place for
your safety and the safety of your crew, they are not flexible..." To that
add a Scout's Honor, it *IS* you duty to follow the rules. Many of you will
agree, others will disagree ... I will remain amazed at the crews that camp
at sites other than those on their itinerary, run over other crews, split
up, leave bear bags on the ground, snack in their tents, leave very much of
a trace, and ignore the advice of their Ranger.

YIS
Jim
ASM T6
PSR '74, '04, '06
www.troop6bsa.org?cmd=philmont

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-philmont@troop47.com [mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com]On
Behalf Of Jeffrey W. Knoll
Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 9:39 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
Subject: RE: [Philmont]: Burro Racing

Rick wrote:
> That is precisely the correct answer. The Rangers have a lot of
> material to cover and not much time to do it.
> We were in Vaca for the first night of our trek in 2004. Our Ranger, very
> reluctantly let us go over for the Burro Racing. None of the other first
> night crew were allowed, on that night.

The Treks book only lists Ranger Training as the Day 2 program for all treks
(with exception of looking at the T-Rex track at Anasazi). If your first
camp is Vaca you can do Shotgun at Harlan the morning of day 3, but
obviously can't hang around until 7PM on day 3 for the Burro Races and still
make it to your next camp in daylight.

As Bob & Rick have pointed out, Ranger Training is the top priority, but if
your Ranger can cover much of the material in a time-efficient manner, you
should be able to fit in the Burro Races. In 2004 our council contingent
Venturing Crew did just that, but they were a crew of older youth with much
backpacking experience. They also had an experienced ranger, Rick's son,
Josh, who recognized the crew's level of experience and did not dwell on the
training topics that the crew thoroughly understood.

The key to this is time management. Discuss it with your ranger, get an
early bus, and don't waste time.

 -- Jeff

------------------------------------------------------------
Jeffrey W. Knoll
Grand Canyon Council
Phoenix, AZ

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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
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Received on Wed Feb 8 22:15:49 2006