[philmont] Little guys are Scouts also

Well said, John.

Dan Preston
On Mar 27, 2007, at 3:20 PM, John LeBlanc wrote:

> 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
>
> Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate
> in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A.
Received on Tue Mar 27 16:50:23 2007