[Philmont]: Wrong Message on weight restrctions?

In a message dated 7/16/2004 8:41:20 AM Alaskan Daylight Time,
michaeldkellner@yahoo.com writes:
Philmont was "forgiving" regarding a scout in our crew that was underweight.
(tall and skinny).
Hmmmm . . . while I have rarely, if ever criticized the good folks at the
ranch (which is my Mecca), I have to question this one. If the rules are the
rules . . . . .

I think there is a big difference between the young man who was an athlete,
fit, and in proper shape than a kid who is a professional sofa sitter. I also
question those height & weight charts that were developed by our friend in
Washington. (An oxymoron in of itself) {Thier motto: We're here from the
government to help you complicate your life}

Being of Russian/Ukranian descent we are tall and broad shouldered folks in
my family. If I were to be a Philmont Ranger today I would not meet the
standards of height & weight.

(Hmmmmm . . . . maybe this height and weight chart thing is the continuation
of the international conspiracy created by the Napoleonic Complex Commission
whose sole purpose is to "stick it" to those who are not vertically
challenged.) :>)

Penalizing a large, fit jock because some sofa slugs went where they had no
business being is wrong and sends the wrong message. We already fight the
sports vs Scouting fight. Why reinforce the false stereotype the Boy Scouts are a
bunch of "pencil of pencil necked geeks"? Would Scouting not be better off
if this jock Scout went to Philmont and then served as a great role model for
younger Scouts showing that you can be an athlete and a Scout.

Seems I recall an argument on Scouts-L about the harm of Zero Tolerance rules
in school and the lack of common sense that prevailed because of it.

(And yes, I have been involved with carrying out the jumbo sized participant
on a Stokes litter during a PhilSar. No it was not fun, but it was part of
the job and came with the territory)

Alex in AK
1986 Philmont Ranger
1987 Training Ranger
Eagle Scout
4 year Varsity HS Football Letterman

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Received on Fri Jul 16 18:32:18 2004