From: Dr. Bob Klein (drbob@troop111.org)
Date: Tue Jan 28 2003 - 20:45:59 CST
1) Give him a copy of the Philmont Challenge Index - that might open his
eyes some.
2) Have him sign up for this list-server - maybe hearing the litany from
(a horde of) fresh voice might help.
3) Absolutely insist that he make one of your early shakedowns, and hope
that he sees during and afterward that 1 - 2 miles of treadmill work
ain't cuttin' it. There's no point in having him see the light too late.
Good Luck!
mnep@att.net wrote:
> I want to give a big thank you to the list for the various topics discussed
> over the last year as I work to get my troop ready for their Philmont Trek
> (June 21 - July 3). As I have never been to Philmont, nor been backpacking,
> the advice has been valuable, in particular, with a discussion that I had last
> night with one of the Dads that want to accompany the trip as an advisor, but
> is seriously overweight and out of shape.
>
> I recommended to him that we not send in payment for his spot with the rest in
> February, but rather wait and see if he is able to get into proper physical
> condition before the trek date. That would save him from losing the trek fee
> if I saw that he was not properly prepared and couldn't let him go. He took it
> as a personal affront that I would even consider that he might not be in shape
> by the time that the troop left for Philmont. The discussion went through that
> he has missed all of the early shakedown hikes that we have had so far (he
> believes this is not his fault because he had to work), nor will he be able to
> go on any in February, March, or April, again because of work.
> He is convinced that he will be in condition for Philmont, because he is
> walking on a treadmill for 1 - 2 miles per day, and this is a strenous workout
> for him. He was upset that I would require him to prove that he would be in
> shape before I would let him go. Because he is convinced that he will be in
> shape, he expects me to have the same conviction, even if he does not
> participate in any of the crew preparations. I have had numerous conversations
> with him encouraging him, inviting him to hikes, and telling him that he needed
> to be serious about getting in shape, though I believe he has been relying a
> bit too much on wishful thinking.
>
> He pretty much used all of the excuses that have been discussed on this list in
> the past, so I was prepared for the discussion. It would have been easier if
> he wasn't a nice guy. My biggest hope is that I have upset him enough to
> motivate him to step up his training and prove that he can get in shape.
> Though I have serious doubts that given the minimal progress in the last 12
> months.
>
> Just needed to get that off my chest by sharing with those who have helped me
> from making a mistake by ignoring what could become an even stickier situation.
>
> Paul Nepermann
> Troop 43 advisor
> Batavia, IL
-------------------------------------------------------
Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
Subscribe/Unsubscribe at http://usscouts.org/lists/
Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp
-------------------------------------------------------
Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com
List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp
List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com
-------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------------
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.7 : Thu Mar 13 2003 - 10:37:58 CST