This has been a good thread.
Taking of on what Roy mentioned about crew gear now. We put together
dedicated "crew gear kits" based on our Philmont Crew gear list
(http://troop445.org/cms/index.php?option=com_docman
<http://troop445.org/cms/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=2
9&Itemid=32> &task=doc_download&gid=29&Itemid=32) before we ever begin our
Philmont shakedown process. We put each crew's crew gear kit in a large
plastic tote and that gear is kept apart from other Troop/Crew gear for the
duration of the shakedown/Philmont timeline.
At each advisors' meeting, each shakedown planning meeting, and each
shakedown we go over our crew gear to see what we have, what is missing (who
didn't return it?), and what we still have to acquire before the trip.
Each piece of crew gear is inventoried and assigned to a crew member. If
possible, the gear (or its bag) is labeled with the participant's name, and
our Philmont duty roster includes a complete list of crew gear carried by
each participant. This aids in the early morning up and outs when crew gear
is left laying around. "Hey Bubba, this crew fly has your name on it!"
There is no arguing that.
We also travel to Philmont on personal vehicles and drag a couple of Troop
trailers for packs and crew gear, so we keep the totes put together until we
get to base camp. Once at Philmont, we break out the crew gear. It's
already labeled and goes directly into the backpacks.
We try to use our own gear for every piece of equipment needed as crew gear.
In 2005, we only checked out bear ropes and Micropur tablets as crew gear
(we didn't carry the bear ropes, but that is another thread.). By using our
own gear, we have field tested it at least six times before Philmont, we are
used to using it, and it speeds up that dreaded Day 1 Marathon.
A lot of our crew gear methods were learned from this list and its
participants. There are some wonderful backpacking minds out there and the
knowledge shared is greatly appreciated.
On forgetting boots. We also hold a trailer loading party the evening
before departing on the trip. The participant's backpack does not go into
the trailer until his/her boots are shown to the advisor in charge of
loading, and are packed in the top compartment of the participant's
backpack. We got to Philmont in 2002 without one participant's boots. That
was no fun.
On forgetting other stuff. It seems to me that the most common piece of
equipment forgotten is tent stakes. Philmont sells them, but they are of
dubious quality. Don't forget your tent stakes!
Happy Easter all. HE IS RISEN!
Shane Hoffman
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose" ~
Jim Elliot
_____
From: philmont@troop47.com [mailto:philmont@troop47.com] On Behalf Of Roy
Fisher
Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2008 5:39 PM
To: philmont List Member
Subject: [philmont] need to do gear checks
Adding to this; because of our location we travel to Philmont in personal
vehicles and pack the night before we leave to expedite departure in the
morning. Before the packs go in the vehicles, we do one final gear-dump and
check to make sure everything is there including assigned crew equipment -
very similar to a Range shakedown; hold up the item and put it in your pack.
Since we have done gear checks at each shakedown we are fairly sure that
everyone has all the necessary equipment, but sometimes in the heat of the
moment things get forgotten.
As we do the final check-out, we make a list of any missing items and check
again in the morning to make sure the missing items have not been forgotten
again. This can be very useful for things like boots that often aren't
packed inside a backpack and may be needed before we actually arrive at
Philmont We also have a travel bag for things needed before Philmont
(except rain gear and sleeping bags) so that we don't have to dig through
packs to get something.
-----Original Message-----
From: philmont@troop47.com [mailto:philmont@troop47.com] On Behalf Of Troop
681 Kim P
Subject: [philmont] need to do gear checks
I agree, look at the at their gear everytime you get together for training.
the Weekend before we left for Philmont I had each scout make an appointment
and come to my house with their parent --- one at a time. I had 2 tarps in
the yard, one for for stuff to leave home (like pillows), the other for what
they needed to take. GAVE the parent a list of required gear items that
were missing. They had one week to get.
Parents will thank you for allowing them to purchase gear at home, cheaper
and they have a say.
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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 Sun Mar 23 19:32:15 2008
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