RE: [Philmont]: cold weather gear

As a New York Scouter, I can guarantee that none of our treks were in June
(school closes here in the last week in June and reopens the Monday after
Labor Day.)

I have been rained upon, hailed upon and just plain cold more often than I
care to remember. I have done your itinerary twice (in 1992 it was called
trek 10) and the top of Phillips is real cold at night in July as well as
any other month.

Okay, so none of this is new news. What is something new to this discussion
is that people who are just plain cold are not real enthusiastic about
drinking lots of water. Hypovolemia (dehydration to its friends) is a
frequent accompaniment to hypothermia. At the top of Mt. Phillips, there is
no real likelihood that a friendly Chaplain is going to drive you down to
camping headquarters so each person's actions affects everyone on the crew.

As to the ranger's instructions. Rangers sometimes say things that make an
Advisor's hackles stand on end. In the famous 2002 season, where fires were
a very real way of life and there had just been a nighttime evacuation of a
section of the ranch, our ranger told our crew that one flashlight per tent
was all that was needed. This just didn't make sense, as the lead advisor,
my role was to very politely explain that we as a crew would prefer to keep
one small flashlight per person, just in case. If you feel that safety is
being compromised, it is your responsibility to take the ranger aside and
figure out what is the correct thing to do. At the end of the day, it is
your responsibility to be satisfied as to the safety of the crew

I have served many years on local council camp staffs. The one thing that
always struck me as true was that no parent sent their child into the woods
because Greater New York Councils hired a great staff. They sent them
because Mr. Smith, the Scoutmaster who worked with their child all year
long, said it was the right thing to do and that he would be going along
with the Troop to ensure that everything went well. The parents of our
crewmembers don't know the ranger or anyone else at Philmont. They probably
know you and are relying on you to use your judgment.

For those of you who are leading a council contingent and have a stray or
two who never made the meetings or shakedowns, oh well - there is a great
National Camping Schools parable - A complete stranger walks up to one such
parent and asks "may I borrow your car for a week?" he is summarily turned
down. After a moment the stranger asks, "May I take your son for a week at
summer camp?" the response is "How much? And when can you start?"

--Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-philmont@troop47.com [mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com] On
Behalf Of rsafl61660@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2004 8:29 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
Subject: [Philmont]: cold weather gear

I have several boys who don't seem to relate July with cold since they're
from the midwest. They are wanting to only take their raingear (Frogg toggs
for some) and a jacket. I suggested using the Philmont handbook as a
minimum guide, but they don't seem to be on the same page. Though they
could learn the hard way, I don't need the potential for other health
issues. any thoughts on the matter, particularly based on experience.
We're doing trek 5, which puts us inthe south and central region. Thanks in
advance for any input on this issued or info on trek 5.

Bob 721-B2 AA

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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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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.
-------------------------------------------------------

 
Received on Tue Jul 6 22:27:55 2004