The Phil-list May_2008: [philmont] Training, Ad Nauseum

From: Guinn Unger <mlists@ungertech.com>
Date: Tue May 27 2008 - 10:02:55 CDT

Mike,

I think what you say makes a lot of sense, the key being "how prepared is
PREPARED". I haven't heard anyone on this list talking about how great
their WFA training was. Certainly, more training is better, but you have to
take in account the cost, in time and money, of the training and see if the
benefit is worth the cost.

I tend to be cautious, but I would be perfectly content going to Philmont
without someone who has taken WFA.

It occurs to me that what would really be helpful would be a one-hour
"course" on that first day at the Ranch that takes a practical approach on
what to do if you have an emergency on your trek. The "course" could be
geared towards the specific trek that you are going on, and every trek
member would be present. I could see the Ranger giving this "course". It
could cover basic stabilization and how to get help as quickly as possible.
I don't think there is any need for a refresher on basic FA or CPR. We
have those covered.

Also, my 2 cents.

Guinn Unger (Philmont '07, and going in '09)

From: philmont@troop47.com [mailto:philmont@troop47.com] On Behalf Of M J
CONKEY
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 8:07 AM
To: philmont List Member
Subject: [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)

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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
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loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
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Received on Tue May 27 10:08:14 2008

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