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 JaffryAssociate AdvisorPhilmont 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 LeBlancEagle Scout 1959Philmont 1959 & 2002Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate
in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A.
Bored stiff? Loosen up...
Download and play hundreds of games for free on Yahoo! Games.------------------------------------------------------- Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp ------------------------------------------------------- Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com ------------------------------------------------------- To Unsubscribe send text email to: To: listserv@troop47.com Subject: unsubscribe Body: unsubscribe philmont@troop47.com ------------------------------------------------------- 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. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp ------------------------------------------------------- Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com ------------------------------------------------------- To Unsubscribe send text email to: To: listserv@troop47.com Subject: unsubscribe Body: unsubscribe philmont@troop47.com ------------------------------------------------------- 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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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
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loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
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Received on Thu Mar 29 16:40:10 2007
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