[philmont] Position on waiting list

From: John Guerin
1. Historically, what numbers generally get selected? In round
numbers......

Bear in mind that we on this list, for the most part, are limited by our
observations from what has been reported here by those who got the call on
the waitlist. So accuracy is somewhat problematic.
However, here is my recollation of the highest numbers called over the last
seven years (of those reported here and on our predessor bowline list):
2007 140 (of course, they aren't done yet)
2006 300
2005 350 (National Jamboree is cited as a potential factor)
2004 275
2003 180
2002 150
2001 400 (National Jamboree seems to be a real factor on this one)
2000 110

Yes, I know there are eight there, but I don't count 2007 as it isn't done
yet. So, my conclusion is that something happened along about 2004 that
caused a real trending up of the calls to the waitlist. It may well be the
huge penetration of knowledge about other high adventure opportunitites that
is increasing (almost exponentially) due to the increasing trend of using
the internet for gathering information. It could also be a trend that
reflects the decreasing membership of the BSA and concomitant decreasing
commitment to high adventure. Who knows. In any case, you can consider the
possibility of getting a trek very high, likely near 100%, but the
possibility is also that your trek could either start or end during the
school year, depending what your school year is (early treks start before
school is out for us - mid June, late treks end after school starts for
others - mid August).

 2. WHEN do you find out if you're going to go? Is it when the first
payment is due or what? I mean should you start a sign up and start
training on the "possibility" of going?

Depends how fast they get through the waiting list. At 150, you will be
later rather than earlier. It would seem logical that the waitlist would
hit all at once, after the Feb payments come and go, the various
administrative stuff happens and they find that x number didn't send
payments in. But it doesn't seem to work that way. A lot of units appear
to send the $50 down, fail to recruit then don't follow up on the second
payment. Some even seem to put in multiple payments before giving it up.
So, they end up trickling in, with invitations going out (from what I've
seen mentioned here) as late as three months before trek date.

I would say a wise approach would be to sign up with the caveat that you
will do something equally adventurous and fun (such as a trip to Packard
High Adventure Base in Tetons, or Impeesa in Canada, or even a roll your
own - there are lots of folks here or on Scouts-L who can help with that)
which costs about the same if you don't get in. That way, they get to do
something that is just as good, so no one is disappointed, and at the same
time you have the commitments, money and training done without having to
scramble at the last minute.

Regards
Don Roberts
Fullerton CA
03, 05, 08

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Received on Mon Jan 22 11:27:50 2007