From: Chip (rcenci@twcny.rr.com)
Date: Wed Mar 20 2002 - 14:41:16 CST
CHOICES AT PHILMONT!!" as far as the itinerary is concerned. I do believe
that a crew can choose an itinerary outside of their abilities. Too much
trek and everyone will struggle to complete it, too little trek and the crew
will not be challenged. If given a choice the boys will want to do
everything they can.
This is where the title Advisor becomes critical. You must know the
abilities of your crew in order to advise them on what range of crew
selections you feel they can handle. I will not quote the "unofficial"
Philmont Advisor's Guide put out by Coop and Wally but I strongly recommend
you read their section titled "Selecting Your Trek". They bring up many
good points on how age and ability can effect the dynamics of a trek. If you
do not have a copy of this insightful book you can request one from
coopwright@aol.com <mailto:coopwright@aol.com> ask for the "Philmont
Advisor's Guide".
The contour lines on the Philmont map do not look that difficult while you
are sitting at home or at a crew meeting, but they do become a bear in real
life. Don't make the assumption that because you made it up Baldy or
Philips the rest will be easy. I had an co-advisor get heat exhaustion at
Shaffer's Pass camp after hiking from Clarks Fork. We had hiked the trail
from French Henry to Copper Park (The Wall) and up Baldy from Copper Park
(The Hard Way) earlier in the trek and figured that stretch should have been
routine by then.
In planning our upcoming trek, I too used the 2001 Treks Book to get the
boys input. I then converted those choices to the 2002 itineraries.
Luckily they chose virtually unchanged treks and we were able to request our
trek from those wishes. The virtually unchanged equated to different
starting camp location. I would have preferred to use the current Treks book
instead of having to feel a time press. I certainly would support the idea
of delaying the selection process until everyone has an opportunity to
review the current materials with their crew. We have too much adult
intervention with the present process. I for one would not mind getting the
materials mid March as we do now and Philmont randomizing them at a later
date.
Only 124 days till I'm at Philmont.
Chip Cenci 723G2
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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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