[philmont] Little guys are Scouts also

John,
 
This was spot on. IMHO, the leaders job is to encourage the group of boys
(or youth) to develop into a crew. The crew will get them through. In 2004 I
took a mixed Venture Crew to Philmont. Two of our young ladies were only
95lbs a piece. The 1/3 rule for pack weight is great in theory, poor in
practice but then again it is only "a guide". The result in our case was
that neither was able to carry much in the way of crew gear or food. Our
crew met, discussed it and decided, no adults involved, to redistribute as
necessary. Some of our boys were extremely capable and the added weight did
not affect them at all. All went extremely well through day five, when one
of our girls developed a truly painful case of Achilles tendonitis. But she
was a member of the crew, had a tremendous, infectious spirit and not one
other crew member would allow her to drop. Almost her entire pack, less
water, was quietly redistributed. Since she couldn't walk fast, we didn't.
We started a bit earlier each morning and ended a bit later each afternoon,
but we were able to complete all program opportunities at each Staff Camp.
Our crew bonded and persevered together. The young lady pulled more than her
share with regards to cooking and clean up in an effort to "repay". Not that
it was asked for or expected, but we allowed it since we knew she also
needed to feel like a contributing member of the crew and not just along for
the ride and this was her way of doing it. The whole crew completed the
entire 70 mile trek, including Mt Baldy and Tooth Ridge. Perhaps a little
slower than originally anticipated, but certainly better off and stronger
for the effort.
 
 
R/
 
Mark Jaffry
Associate Advisor
Philmont 2001, 2004, 2006, (& 2008 ;~))
 
 
----- Original Message ----
From: John LeBlanc <philmontjohn@yahoo.com>
To: philmont List Member <philmont@troop47.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 3:20:57 PM
Subject: [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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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow

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loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,

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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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Received on Thu Mar 29 16:30:17 2007