Re: [Philmont]: electronics?

I completely agree with Brad. We've allowed scouts to carry the darn 2-way
radios on the trail for the last 3 summers backpacking in northern
Minnesota, and I haven't seen so much as a squirrel....the boys are
CONSTANTLY talking on the radios and using their "call" buttons to ring the
other radios. I'm hoping this year we can have an "adults only" policy.
They are handy if you have a large group on the trail and need to call to
the front to get the group halted.

As for using the radios if you get separated, it's not realistic with the
short-range radios that scouts typically carry. Last summer we had some
"jackrabbits" that hiked ahead of our main group of backpackers. They got
to a fork in the trail, but they were out of radio range already, and had no
way to tell the main group which fork they were taking (didn't occur to any
of them to leave a note for us to find). Even with maps and compasses, they
managed to take the wrong fork. They were almost back to the previous
night's campsite before they figured out their mistake...

--Bob Schaettle
Rochester, MN

>From: seawolf1956@cox.net
>Reply-To: philmont@troop47.com
>To: Multiple recipients of list philmont <philmont@troop47.com>
>Subject: Re: [Philmont]: electronics?
>Date: Wed, 05 May 2004 10:50:29 -0500
>
>I am adamantly opposed to *any* electronic devices on the trail, and I
>don't
>know of any our adult leaders who feel differently, including GPS's. It
>detracts from the outdoor experience, but more importantly, there is
>absolutely no need for any of this stuff at Philmont. The rationale for
>2-way
>radios is a non-issue; if you are following Philmont guidelines, you should
>never encounter a situation on the trail in which the crew is separated.
>
>Use of CD players while traveling -- as long as headphones are used --
>have
>been permitted. 2-way radios while traveling, as you say, are simply
>obnoxious when in the hands of the boys (and some adults in certain cases).
>
>Brad
>Troop 76
>Manhattan, KS
>
>
>
>To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
><philmont@troop47.com>
>Send reply to: philmont@troop47.com
>Date sent: Wed, 05 May 2004 10:04:06 -0400
>From: rsafl61660@aol.com
>Subject: [Philmont]: electronics?
>
> > I want to start off by saying that I am opposed to unneeded electronic
> > gear while on Scouting excursions. Having said that, I have been
> > approached by the youth in regards to them bringing 2 way
> > radios.(walkie-talkies) I told them that though they may seem small,
> > the ounces up if they're considering them for on the trail. They
> > claim they would be useful if we got separated. I told them we would
> > have no reason to get separated on the trail if we are hiking
> > together. They said they would be useful on the train and on the
> > lengthy lay overs at the train station for communication and safety.
> > I personally find them somewhat obnoxious when used by others
> > excessively in public. They really don't fit on the trail either.
> > Especially when considering that I'm actually going to get away from
> > my cell phone, tv, etc. The problem is, the other 2 adults are not
> > as hard set against taking them, especially for use enroute to
> > Philmont. They have also told the boys they could take their
> > walkmans.(I'm not sure if Gameboys have been addressed....yet!) Need
> > input to see if I'm out of line, and /or support and ammunition to
> > battle the issue with the other adults and youth. Thanks for input.
> > PS...To get a clearer picture of our crew, their will be 3 adults and
> > 9 youth, 1 is 14, the rest are 16.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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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.
-------------------------------------------------------

 
Received on Wed May 5 14:47:38 2004