[philmont] Little guys are Scouts also

in regards to the "little guy" question. Can he make it?
   
  The simple answer is "of course he can and should".
   
  In 1959, I was a scrawny 14 year old with a burning desire to go to Philmont. I had foregone the National Jamboree in 1957 at age 12 for a chance to go to Philmont two years later..
   
  Let me say that the only thing in life I ever wanted to be was a Boy Scout. Both at age 11 and now at age 62. Some things change and some don't.
   
  My dad was concerned with letting his little boy, his first son, go off to Valley Forge at such a young age and put off his consternation with an offer for Philmont two years later.
   
  As the time approached, I got ready. I'd pack up my Yucca pack with National Geographic magazines and take hikes with an overweight pack for "training". I was determined.
   
  When we first met to discuss the trek to Philmont, some people expressed concern over the size of some of the boys who wanted to go. They never directed it to me personally, but as the smallest of the group, it was not difficult for me to know they were talking about me.
   
  After the first meeting, my dad talked to the lead advisor, Bill Godwin as to his advise on whether to let me go or not. Bill's answer was simply "he'll do fine".
   
  The decision for me to go stirred quite a rumble amoung the helicopter mothers who hovered around their sons.
   
  To this day, Bill Godwin is looked up to by me with a great respect because he believed in me and helped me and fended off any criticism of letting the "little guy go".
   
  I did just fine on the trek and it wasn't me who slowed the trek down but some of the "big ole boys" who weren't ready for it.
   
  My going was the highlight of my youth. Hiking Philmont showed me that I could overcome great obstacles if I simply tackled them one step at a time. It opened the door to a life in the outdoors that I still enjoy.
   
  I returned to Philmont in 2002 with my youngest daughter and stood atop Mt Phillips with her at age 57 (me) even more proudly than I did in 1959 at age 14 as the little guy.
   
  Too much emphasis is placed today on length of trek, doing the difficult routes and how tough Scouts are and not enough emphasis on Scouting is for everyone.
   
  As a leader, if you single out a Scout and discourage them from going because you "feel" he cannon make it, you have FAILED in you duty as a leader. You have let your prejudices rule your kingdom and nowhere in BSA training will you find that as a principle.
   
  If however, you take the lead and guide the crew into accepting the little guy as one of them andguide the Scouts in their decision of the route based on the wants and needs of EVERYONE in the group, then you have succeeded in your leadership role.
   
  When hiking as a group it often becomes drudgery to "take a number and get in line" and trudge on. Remember that a Scout crew IS NOT a military marching unit. It is a walk in the park and should remain so for everyone involved.
   
  If you succeed in your leadership role, then the Scouts will get a lot more from the trek than a 50 miler award and the arrowhead. They will get an adventure to last them and to guide them their entire lefetime.
   
  If you succeed, then they will succeed.
   
  Little guys are Scouts also.
   
  John LeBlanc
  Eagle Scout 1959
  Philmont 1959 & 2002

 
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Received on Tue Mar 27 15:27:16 2007