From: Julian Love (JL@JLove.net)
Date: Sat Nov 16 2002 - 12:21:44 CST
I saved some interesting words about Philmont advisors from the Cascade
Pacific Council Web site, www.cpcbsa.org, in Nov. 99 that seem to be
pertinent to this thread. I can't find it on their site today, so have
pasted it in below. I find much merit in their selection criteria and have
always felt that adults who deserve to be selected and who make the best
advisors are those who have a good background of camping and backpacking
experience, formal BSA training, and a demonstrated ability to insure the
most successful experience for ALL the youth who are participating. This
usually adds up to experience and tenure and will tend to eliminate a
"walk-on" dad, unless of course your applicant pool is very small.
Having been involved with selecting Philmont advisors for my council and
for my troop, and for other high adventure outings, over a 20-year period,
I prefer something like what CPC describes here. As long as you have a
fair time period with an announced cut-off date for the application
process, I'm not in favor of simply a first-come, first-serve policy.
YIS, Julian Love
Charlotte, NC
Cascade Pacific Council Philmont Advisors
Current Philmont policy allows 7 to 12 total crew members on each trek.
Philmont rules dictate that there must be at least two adult advisors, and
never more than four, and there must be a majority of youths.
In order to give the opportunity to the maximum number of youth, and a
youth-led experience, the Cascade Pacific Council Contingent will attempt
to limit the number of adults to the minimum. Our goal is that each crew
will have two adults and ten youth. One crew will have one "spare" adult
(three adults, nine youth) to provide for contingencies at Philmont.
We will attempt to staff each crew with one advisor with prior Philmont
trek experience, and one without prior Philmont trek experience.
We will have an excess of adult applications, and will conduct interviews
to select those who will ensure the best experience for the youth. Having a
son or daughter apply for a youth position is not a selection criteria for
an adult.
Adult advisors must:
* be a registered adult with BSA,
* must have current Youth Protection training.
Selection criteria include, but are not limited to:
Years of experience and position,
Experience on extended outings with youth,
Demonstrated ability to work with boys,
Positive spirit during challenging moments,
Backpacking experience,
Previous Philmont trek experience,
Scoutmaster Fundamental training,
Wood Badge training,
Current First Aid and CPR certification (by the time of departure).
We will strictly enforce the health/weight requirements issued by Philmont
Scout Ranch. Chronic health, fitness, and overweight problems will be
grounds for non-selection or replacement of otherwise qualified adult advisors.
Further, our goal is that the advisor's fitness not be a limitation for the
youth. The crew will choose the degree of difficulty of their trek without
regard to the Advisor's physical ability, and the Advisor is expected to
not be a limiting factor. Instead, the advisor should have the stamina to
provide an extra safety margin for the crew in case of emergencies or
adverse conditions. Proper fitness is critical.
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