[philmont] Appropriate Tent Sites

<<Our ranger last summer emphasized this point on our
first night, to the exasperation of our crew chief. Every time the crew
chief chose a spot, the ranger would have everyone evaluate it based
on rock-free level ground, widow-makers, and the proximity to the
bear cables, water and latrine. After having his crew reject the first
couple of choices, the crew chief said to our ranger, "Why don't you just
tell us which campsite is best?'. Of course, the ranger just
smiled. By the second night, the scouts quickly evaluated the available
campsites and made good choices.>>
   
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  We had similar experiences from a good ranger. The Youth learned from the process to do the things that needed doing themselves.
   
  Our lead advisor, well to put it mildly, was a pain in the ass, especially to the crew. They endured it and as I told some after the trek when they asked why he acted like he did, I said that part of the learning process is to learn how not to do things and how not to be.
   
  Well, we arrived at Apache Springs for a two night layover and the youth were selecting tent sights. The advisor I shared a tent with and I usually sat back and let them select their sites and then we asked the Crew Chief where he wanted us to put our tent. He always made an effort to help us find a good site. It was a good team effort.
   
  On the other hand, the head advisor in all his intelligent wisdom would rush into a campsite and pick his tent spot with total disregard to others needs or wishes. The youth just let him do his thing.
   
  When we arrived at Apache, he took off to a pretty little meadow. It was a picturesque place and he commented several times on the beauty of the place.
   
  His meadow was a beautiful place but not a good ent site. It was surrounded by five large deadfalls. The grass growth pattern should have tipped him off that it was NOT a good place to put a tent, none had been placed there all summer. But, put his tent he did.
   
  After he got it about half way up, the crew chief came up to me and pointed out the deadfalls. I told him, "yes, I see that". Then I asked him what he was going to do about it and he told me "I'll tell him it's not a safe place, but only after he gets it up".
   
  Well, that may not seem Scout like, but under the circumstances, it was. At least he planned to tell him of the hazard. And he did.
   
  So the lead advisor moved his tent to another location in an adjoining valley without deadfalls, only problem is that it was on low ground. That night it rained.
   
  On the layover day while the rest of the crew enjoyed the activities, that advisor dried out his wet gear from the rain runoff that ran around, under and through his tent.
   
  Be careful how you treat kids, they are well aware of a two way street.
   
  John LeBlanc

       
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Received on Wed May 23 14:35:54 2007