[Philmont]: trek preparation

I have some thoughts on the issue of the crew member who always elects some other activity than the crew training hikes and offers the explanation "I already know how to hike". If the crew has already elected a crew leader and that crew leader was asked for his input, he would state that he believes his fellow crew members should all show up for the hikes, absent an extraordinary and unavoidable scheduling conflict and despite any protestations of hiking acumen. I believe that if the crew was polled, they would agree ( I am postulating, not suggesting you get all of these youth involved in this at this point).

I submit that a request to one of the youth to attend all of the hikes possible is a reasonable request. The fact that one crew member sees fit to ignore the reasonable request of his crew leader, the rest of the crew and the lead Advisor, and instead substitutes his own judgment for the collective judgment of the crew, in my view, spells trouble for the future. Once one person thinks he is above all this, the crew structure can break down. This guy could wind up believing he has the right to sleep in each morning, as he styles himself the strongest hiker. Since delays on the trail are not his fault, he should have the leeway to cause some delays in the morning, as it all evens out, doesn't it? That his dad is not taking a more active role in assisting the young man to make the right choice (since dads hold the car keys and provide the transportation to both Scouting and non Scouting activities), is somewhat troubling as well.

Cooper Wright's advisor's guide has some good words on this topic. If you have a crew leader or have identified a couple or three youth from whom the crew leader is likely to be chosen by the boys, perhaps it is time to begin the process of turning the leadership role over to him or them. I have found that I can talk until I am blue in the face, using powerfully reasoned arguments (not to mention complete sentences) and it will go right past the boys, whereas a few quiet, well chosen words from one of their peers (or, even better, a guy just a year or two older) produces excellent results.If you choose a youth as a conduit for your message to this young man, make sure it is on the qt, as the image of the Advisor "ordering" one Scout to give a "lecture" to another would be couterproductive.

The "solution" of telling the young man he cannot participate is one that cannot be taken lightly and one that is somewhat uniquely in the hands of the lead advisor or the contingent advisor. It is appropriate in some circumstances, overkill in others, better taken early than late, if at all, but highly subjective. Only you know the personalities involved. Some will advise that it should be made objective (training "contracts" and the like). All kids are different (as you know). None of those in your crew will be the same kid come September, of that we can be sure.

All for now,

Bill Sheehan, ASM
Troop 55, Pitman, N.J.
Philmont '70,'72, Autumn Adventure '01,'03,'05

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Received on Wed Jan 18 11:57:58 2006