RE: [Philmont]: Philmont "Rules" - Timing

I think a significant part of the value in an experienced lead advisor is in
the preparation and qualification phase of the project. If I have a chance
to do it all again, I will be much more ruthless about qualification. I
will know exactly where everyone stands as far as preparation, gear, weight,
etc. next time as opposed to being confident I have effectively communicated
the requirements.

The difference will be people who are really prepared vs. those who assured
me they would be. I was far too lenient on certain adult individuals when
it came to practice and qualification hikes and that will never happen
again.

BTW, a word of experience: "Bronchitis" equals asthma. "A little bit of
asthma" equals asthma. A "slight history of shortness of breath" equals
asthma. Asthma is not to be taken lightly and it must be addressed. If
someone goes with some related problems that could manifest itself in an
asthma-like condition, their doctors must get actively involved and have
preventives in place BEFORE you go and have adequate inhalers in their
packs.

I have chronic asthma, so I was well prepared from a drugs (Advair!) and
conditioning standpoint. I had an adult that, besides not being in the
condition expected, had that little bit of bronchitis that flared up. I had
to donate an inhaler to the cause when her supply ran out.

Be prepared.

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-philmont@troop47.com [mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com] On
Behalf Of Vannerson, William G.
Sent: Wednesday, January 05, 2005 3:30 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
Subject: RE: [Philmont]: Philmont "Rules" - Timing

>>Other than allaying the concerns of the lead advisor as to what is
going to happen next, does having an experienced Philmonter really have
value? Marginal at best, because regardless of what experience the crew has
at base camp or how efficiently and organized the Ranger handled base camp
functions, what is long remembered is the experience in the back country.<<

I'd have to disagree somewhat. None of our crew had been to Philmont before
and although the Advisors Guide is a tremendous asset, nothing beats the
familiarty of having been there. As lead advisor, I know that if I go again
my check in experience will be less frantic emotionally. I felt like I was a
pinball for mt first 24 hrs. Of course this was aggrivated by the fact that
our train was late so we had less time to run through check-in. As a result
of that and a needless delay at health lodge (2 of our crew were forgotten
while waiting for inhaler prescription refills), we didn't get a chance to
catch our breath. We didn't even have time to quickly browse through Tooth
of Time Traders.
The crew leader and advisor ran in to purchase current trail maps and ran
out.

What would I do differently at Base Camp now that I'm an "old salt?"

1. Make sure everyone's prescriptions, especially inhalers, are current.
Both boys have not needed to use their inhalers for years but still carry
them with them just in case. Consiquently, they didn't even know they were
expired.

2. Bring our own gear, including tents. It may add to cost but I think the
benefit of saving time at both check-in and chack out is worth it.
As well as the fact that the tents will likely be lighter and the crew will
get a chance to become familiar with the gear during shakedowns.

3. Get photos at arrival. Our crew arrived in uniform and had put it back on
the next day for the photo. I fgot some resistance but I insisted. Then we
had to race back to the lockers to stash the shirts as we ran to the dining
hall for lunch. It would have been easier to get the photo done the first
day and stash the uniforms in the locker when we stored the rest of the gear
insteads of an extra trip. Also, the crew number on the photo is off by one
day as the photographer assumed we were 802-O not 801-O as it was the
second. We were in too much of a rush to even think about checking. Next
time I will!

4. Really consider arriving a day early if advisors vacation schedules
allow. Neither of us on this crew could even consider it as we had no more
days to use. But and extra day would solve a ton of check-in problems.

BTW, when I say we ran between stops, we literally did have to run on
occaision. The train delay and the health lodge delay really hurt our
chances for a calm check-in. As a result, my base camp experience is a big
negative. Although I must say everyone was helpful and friendly, so it
wasn't a staff issue, just a lot to do in too little time.

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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 Thu Jan 6 08:24:15 2005