Re: [Philmont]: Crew meeting/hike attendance

>
> There in lies the difference. I didn't have any kids whose heart
> wasn't in it. Attitude is everything. I had many kids who could not
> meet the $650 cost, I had a couple who started school in very early
> August and could not miss 2 weeks of school, and issues like that.
> What I did have was a group that was very eager to go backpacking in
> the mountains. I had a group that were all from the same Troop and had
> been camping together for 2-5 years. They were very eager, and I
> believe it was in part to the limited amount of shakedowns we did. (2
> total and never with the final crew). We invited other Troop members
> to the shakedowns who talked about how "lucky" the other Scouts were
> who were getting to go. The ones that went felt privileged and lucky
> to be going.
>
> I had one adult that agreed to go one month before the trip, we
> desperately needed a driver or the trip would have been cancelled. He
> had never been backpacking before. We made certain he had good boots
> and socks and prayed. He made the last shakedown, and managed fine.
>
> Could the trip have gone even better? Certainly. They did miss a
> couple programs because they were slow leaving camp in the morning.
> But they left here with an eager attitude that they were going
> someplace *fun* to have *fun*. It was never presented as hard work,
> needing 12 months of preparation, or something that required super
> human strength and endurance. We cobbled together equipment and made
> it work.
>
> I've done a fair amount of backpacking. I understand the difference
> between an unsupported, wilderness trek and Philmont. There are some
> things that make Philmont tougher, and there are many things that make
> Philmont easily within the grasp of most any kid.
>
> IMHO, in order to get kids and parents to pay the proper attention and
> respect to the trek, we over sell and make it seem way tougher than it
> is. Look back at the equipment and training we did as kids to do stuff
> like this. Physically kids haven't changed that much in 20-40 years.
>
> I know I'm going to read some flames, but please people, remember this
> is suppose to be fun. Turning it into an expedition to rival Everest,
> with a lot of adult contracts, rules, stress, etc. isn't fun in my
> book. I can get a kid comfortable with the equipment, make certain he
> knows how to care for himself and others, is in reasonable physical
> condition, without contracts and 3 page rule sheets. I've been
> accused, and rightfully so, of treating every kid different. Putting
> the effort into really knowing the kids is way more important than a
> behavior contract and attendance sheets.
>
> But I'm a simple guy, just trying to help a few kids enjoy the
> outdoors like I do. Maybe I've just been incredibly lucky, but that
> style works for me and the young people in my units. *and* I know I
> would change this for a council contingent trek where I do not know
> the kids and parents involved.
>
> YiSS,
> Jim Welton

IMHO, a very good perspective on the Philmont experience.

Dan Preston
Louisville, KY

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Received on Thu Jan 19 11:24:14 2006