Re: [Philmont]: Planning Experience

Bob,

I went to Philmont for the first time this past summer (at age 56). We were
trek 721-B2 with July 21 arrival, like you will be next summer. We hiked Trek
4, which included Urraca Mesa, Trail Peak (airplane crash site), Mt.
Phillips, and Tooth Ridge/Tooth of Time. Weather was fine throughout the trek. We
had a few light showers, no hail, no freezing weather, and only distant thunder.

Our crew (9 youth, ages 14 - 19; 2 adults) wanted to do both hiking and
programs. We polled the group to learn what they wanted to do in the way of
programs. Then, we asked them about peaks they wanted to climb. We did NOT want to
do a super strenuous trek with lots and lots of miles. We all wanted to
experience Philmont and have fun. We can hike miles on the Appalachian Trail or
any of a number of trails in the southern Appalachians. Programs are unique to
Philmont.

Once the crew settled on a list of programs and peaks, we (advisors) narrowed
(sliced and diced) the list to find a group of treks that incorporated as
many as possible of the lot. For example, a lot of the boys thought mountain
biking would be fun until we pointed out that program was in the North country
and would pretty much cut them off from hiking peaks or doing a lot of other
programs they also wanted to do. Thus, we scratched mountain biking. The
programs and treks were reviewed and rank ordered by the crew. Then we sent in the
post card to Philmont with our top choices. We got Trek 4, which turned out
to be just right for us. No complaints.

I strongly recommend your crews start working together. Share the lead/point
on practice hikes; develop a routine for hiking and taking breaks with packs
on and packs off; let the crews learn what works for them on the trail and in
camp. Figure out what stoves you like and practice with them. Have the crews
elect a crew leader and assistant after you've had a chance to take a few
hikes. Have the crew leader develop a duty roster before you get to Philmont for
each day, from day of arrival to day of departure with a job for each member
of the crew each day (including advisors). In base camp, some of the jobs
don't exist, but don't worry about that. If you have "challenging" scouts, the
advisors can work with the crew leader to be sure those assignments are
appropriate to the particular day on the trail. We have a strong scout-led troop and
crew, so we encouraged the youth to lead, solve problems, get lost on their
own (advisors should, in my opinion, be willing to hike a few extra miles in
case the scouts make a "wrong" turn), etc. We had 11 people and 11 jobs. We
encountered crews on the trail who were NOT working as crews, complaining
about duties, not cleaning up after meals, etc. We also found a lot of advisors
who were not on their crew's duty rosters! [Melding a council contingent will
probably be harder to do.]

We were able to spend a weekend on our council's COPE course in the Spring.
That helped a lot with our teambuilding and teamwork. The crew quickly learn
who's a team player and who isn't; then they can figure out how to accommodate
the individualists. Worth considering, if you have access to a COPE course
and the budget.

Map reading came as a challenge to our crew when the scouts discovered the
Philmont topo maps don't necessarily show the current trails. Trail Peak, for
example, has a delightful set of switchbacks from the Beaubein side, but those
are nowhere to be seen on the topo maps.

Have fun!

Charlie Pineo
Crew Advisor 721-B2, 2003
Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 994
Woodstock, GA

In a message dated 11/14/2003 5:01:14 PM Eastern Standard Time,
Rsafl61660@aol.com writes:

> Subj: Re: [Philmont]: Thanks!
> Date: 11/14/2003 5:01:14 PM Eastern Standard Time
> From: <A HREF="mailto:Rsafl61660@aol.com">Rsafl61660@aol.com</A>
> Reply-to: <A HREF="mailto:philmont@troop47.com">philmont@troop47.com</A>
> To: <A HREF="mailto:philmont@troop47.com">philmont@troop47.com</A>
> Sent from the Internet
>
>
>
> Our troop was lucky enough to secure 24 spots for Philmont in July 2004.
> Our day 1 will be July 21. This will be the first for all the youth.( 18 of
> 'em) Only 2 of the adults have been. I am 1 of them,and went as a scout (the
> baby of the bunch) in 1974. I have the priveledge this coming summer of
> attending Philmont with my 2 boys, 14 and 16 years of age. We haven't picked and
> itinerary yet, so any suggestions will be greatfully considered. In '74, we
> went over Mt. Phillips. I believed we pretty much stayed in the south. We
> still have a lot of planning and preparation to do, and I was glad to stumble
> across this site.
>
> Bob S.
> Troop 494
> Indianapolis, In.

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Received on Mon Nov 17 07:41:24 2003