From: Chip (rcenci@twcny.rr.com)
Date: Thu Mar 28 2002 - 17:36:36 CST
I tell my scouts it is the dynamics of the group, 7 to 12 people sharing a
once in a lifetime experience. Even if they return it will never be the
same, there will be different people with different abilities. God only
knows I remember charging up Baldy at 17, now I huff and puff.
For some it is digging deep inside himself to climb a mountain. For others
it is enduring the trek no matter what. In 1991 we endured rain, rain, and
more rain. We even saw the creek that runs through Dean Cow become a river
for a few hours.
I remember most the boys making fun out of the situation. As we hiked the
naviguesser would came across mud on the trail and he would call out "Mud".
After a while the next boy added something like "yippee", a while later the
next said "oh boy" until they had a regular chant. They made a game of it
and they enjoyed a monsoon trek in spite of all the rain and mud.
The program features make a great goal for each day, something to look
forward to. We choose our trek around what the boys would like to do at
Philmont and than soak up the entire experience. As an adult I enjoy
seeing a new group of faces light up when we stop at Window Rock for
breakfast or some other beautiful spot. I don't allow any talk about "When
I get back to ...". I stress this may be the only time they will be at
Philmont or it may take a long time to return. On my last trek we were on
top of the Tooth of Time when I had one of the boy say to me "Now I know why
this place is so special to you (me) and my dad (a former Ranger. That
meant a lot to me to know I was instrumental with that boy having that
experience.
I have everyone in my trek savor every minute they can, stop and smell the
roses.
Chip IWTGBTP 116 Days 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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