[Philmont]: Why Philmont?

This weekend, our troop will have seventeen young men graduating from high
school. They are graduates of three different schools and include a home
schooled young man too. Fourteen of them are Eagle Scouts and, hopefully,
the other three will complete their Eagle requirements during the next
month or so.

They are quiet a group! Several National Honor Society members. A
National Merit Scholar. The Editor of the high school newspaper. Several
accomplished athletes. Lots of honors, awards and college scholarships.
This fall, they will be attending colleges and universities in five
states.

During our troop meeting this week, fourteen of them showed up for a group
photo. I had previously asked them to fill out an information sheet
summarizing their school, church and community activities. I also asked
them this question: "Other than making Eagle, what was your top experience
as a Scout?"

Well, twelve of the seventeen young men have been to Philmont. Most
participated in other high adventure trips too. Their Philmont
experiences included a regular Backpacking Trek, a Cavalcade, a Kanik
Adventure and a Mountain Trek. As it turned out, eleven of the twelve
Philmont alumni selected a Philmont trip as their top experience. The
other young man selected the C.O.P.E. program in which he participated
during a summer camp trip in 2002.

To me, this points out what a special place Philmont is for young people.
And to adults too as seeing young people have a great time at Philmont is
certainly a blessing.

YiS,

--
Calvin H. Gray
Scoutmaster, Troop 405
Associate Advisor, Venturing Crew 405
Georgetown, Texas
I used to be an Owl (WM-62-2-98 @ Philmont)
http://www.troop405.org/
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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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