[philmont] Training, Ad Nauseum

Like others, I don't want to start a flame war (but I will hop up on my soapbox for a minute <g>), but keep in mind that a large percentage of the members of this list are BSA zealots, tried and true leaders who are sold on the program and are willing to put up with most anything to keep things moving (I consider myself one of these). However, there are only a limited number of these resources available in any council. By and large, the Denver Area Council has trouble recruiting enough "day to day" leaders to run the program. I don't have any solid statistics on this, just noting that they keep going to the existing well for folks to run struggling units, become District commissioners (we have one in my district who advises 12 units), hold positions of responsibility at the lodge, district and council level, etc.
 
That being said, it is difficult to recruit folks to help with the program if the first thing you are going to do is levy a bunch of mandatory training requirements on them AND then expect them to become "BSA zealots" like the rest of us. That isn't going to happen. BSA National and the Councils have to be realistic on this. To go to all these training course, folks have to give up their vacation, weekends, evenings, etc (and money!). In many cases, they have jobs or family commitments that do not allow this kind of committment, so they do not volunteer. I'm not saying there should be NO required training, but a bare minimum should be mandatory (like YPT, Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, Tot'n Chit, Fireman Chit, etc) with suggestions for other training based on position and/or activity of the unit.
 
Many of you saw my rant on WFA back two years ago when it first came out. I'm not going to repeat myself. But to summarize, it is a huge unfunded mandate, costing volunteers a lot of time and money, and I question the REAL benefits of WFA on the ranch. I think I said something like "a knee-jerk reaction by a desk-jockey at National who has never taken a Philmont trek" or something like that <g>. At any given time, you are only a few hours march from a staff camp. Let the experts reside there, let the trek members handle the basics. Are we routinely saving lives on the trail? I doubt it. We are just stablizing until the "pros from Dover" can get out there.
 
I'm not going to fly in the face of "Be Prepared", but my question is "how prepared is PREPARED?" Above a certain level, shouldn't that be a more personal choice? I mean, when does WFA grow to EMT certification? When do we get to the point where a physician is required as a trek-member on each trek? I know, that is facetious, but the slope is slippery once you get on it?
 
Not to be long-winded, but when I became Scoutmaster, I was heavily recruited (you might even say, guilted into it <g>) by the troop committee. My son had just crossed over and I wanted to observe the lay of the land for a few years, working as an ASM and getting a feel for things. But as an Eagle Scout and cub leader, I also knew the program. Not that I regret it, but I had no time to take Woodbadge (which I feel should be MANDATORY for new Scoutmasters) because I was already gone at least a weekend per month camping, at least one week per summer at camp, and at least one evening per week for troop meetings. I couldn't fit in any more time for Scouts without jeopardizing my marriage. I finally did my Woodbadge five years later, AFTER National Jamboree one summer, then two Philmont treks, and then a Boundary Waters trek. I had a similar issue with taking NLS for the Order of the Arrow. While an EXCELLENT leadership course, I couldn't fit it in until AFTER my son was off to college and my Scouting commitments tailed off a bit.....
 
And no, I'm not a Libertarian <g>, but I do think any large organization (and the BSA is one) can become detached from reality at the highest levels and needs to be more informed about what the lowest level of the organization feels.... When was the last time any of you (or even better, some of the non-BSA zealots in your units) were contacted by someone at National, or by your Council Executive, simply to ask "what do you think?"
 
Anyhow, not to be difficult, and as usual, this is my 2 cents and your mileage will vary. YIS. Mike Conkey (Treks in '76, '02, '04 and '07)

-------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------------

 
Received on Tue May 27 08:11:35 2008