[Philmont]: Very Small Scouts (was Pack size?)'

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our sister crew had a small scout this summer, I believe less than 100 pounds. He really seemed to struggle.

However, I can bring some personal experience to the table here. As a scout / young scouter, I went on three high adventure trips:

Sommers Canoe Base at age 15 (1972);

Sommers Canoe Base at age 17 (1974); and

Philmont at age 19 (1976).

The first trip, I barely weighed over 100 pounds. I could not carry the 75 pound canoe on portage trails. On the one small portage, my canoe partners would not let me carry the canoe. That inability is the strongest memory, practically the only memory, I have 30 years latter.

The second trip, I had no problem carrying the canoe. I have memories of lots the things we did on that trip. (Found out Nixon resigned while "on the trail.")

I went to Philmont after my Freshman year in college. Had a great time, with lots of great memories, such as Baldy on the third day and bushwhacking in the dark up the Tooth of Time to make the top for sunrise (it was a different time and wouldn't do it now that I'm all grown up).

Two points:

If I were taking an underweight scout, I would work out before the trek how we were going to redistribute weight. I would make sure that scout and his crew are comfortable with the plan, so it hopefully is a non-issue on the trail. (That is, I would work with the crew leader to implement this plan.)

Second, I would find out why this scout needs to go this year. Small scouts are like puppies with big paws - - they will get bigger with time. Perhaps that scout's friends are going, and then maybe the trip makes sense now. However, if he is just going to go, a year or two delay might not hurt.

David Palmer
SM Olympia (Wash.) BSA Troop 266
Philmont 1976, 2003

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Received on Thu Nov 27 10:16:35 2003