RE: [Philmont]: New Reservation System

Reducing the number of intervals is one way, but perhaps another way would
be to limit the number of crews you are allowed to take in a given year. As
it stands, a troop can ask for as many crews as they wish, no limits.
Anecdotally, I know of troops all over town (Dallas area) that overestimate
the participation for one reason or another and fill the left over crews
from other troops around town or with scouts they know in other parts of the
country. Lots of reasons, cost, illness, weight, band, etc. But many are
predictable and can be anticipated. It would not be a significant technical
problem to maintain a count of eligible Scouts from each Troop and dole out
limits on crews accordingly. I truly believe if they did that one simple
thing, then most Troops would be able to get their crews every other year.
 
On another note, as far as Council Contingents are concerned, our council
runs a fish-bowl lottery. Judging by the crowd on the steps of the Council
office, I believe they do not have a large enough allocation. Perhaps the
crew limits could effect a positive change here too.
 
Joe Tavares
Troop 728, Richardson, TX

  _____

From: owner-philmont@troop47.com [mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com] On
Behalf Of Dr. Charles Goodwin
Sent: Monday, November 01, 2004 7:35 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
Subject: Re: [Philmont]: New Reservation System

I firmly believe the answer is to increase the number of years to every
three or perhaps four years. More and more people want to go, and it gets
more and more difficult to get in. My troop has gone every 4 years -- 1992,
1996, 2000. In 2004 we had close to 30 calling, could not get a reservation
and were 354 on the waiting list. I took the council contingent and worked
in all of the boys from my troop and every other boy I became aware of with
getting permission to bump my crew up to 14 (12 boys and 2 adults), but had
to leave out most of the adults. I really just can't see some troops going
every other year while others can't get in at all. The solution seems so
simple.
 
Charles Goodwin, MD, Scoutmaster Troop 236, Kettering, OH

----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Lindtveit <mailto:n2sa@bestweb.net>
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont <mailto:philmont@troop47.com>
Sent: Monday, November 01, 2004 5:36 PM
Subject: RE: [Philmont]: New Reservation System

I agree Phil,
 However, there is a slight problem with the math. If they give everyone who
doesn't get a slot this year, a 'chit' for next year, then next year will be
filled up with this years applicants, so no new units will get to go next
year, that will make twice as many units with a chit for the following year,
each year it get worse and worse. (I'm over simplifying here, but you get
the point.) In spirit I fully agree, but kicking everyone up the priority
ladder will only cause problems down the line. There should be some way that
can work. I wonder how many would complain if they said you could only have
a trek every 3 years (excepting council contingents)? I continue to be
baffled by the Advisors I ran into who referred to their trek "last year",
and wondered how so many seem to do that.
 Perhaps they could take 300 units each year that have the most chits, or
something like that?
 I attended this year as a fill-in for another local unit. I am now applying
to bring my own boys in '06. My unit has never had a Philmont trek in it's
48 year history, I just hope I can score one in the next 2 years, so that my
current 'crop' doesn't miss out.
 For the time being, I guess all I can do is sit and wait. Some will win and
some will lose. The waiting is the tough part, then the fun starts, I hope.
 Tom

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-Philmont@troop47.com [mailto:owner-Philmont@troop47.com] On
Behalf Of Phil Brown
Sent: Monday, November 01, 2004 7:33 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list Philmont
Subject: RE: [Philmont]: New Reservation System

I really like the new system. Of course we were winners and are preparing
for our trip next summer (701M).

I still believe there needs to be some weighting based on the number of
consecutive years a Troop has attempted to get a trek and failed. Somehow,
they should move up the list.

Phil Brown

  _____

From: owner-Philmont@troop47.com [mailto:owner-Philmont@troop47.com] On
Behalf Of Dunckle, Jeffrey B (US SSA)
Sent: Monday, November 01, 2004 4:33 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list Philmont
Subject: [Philmont]: New Reservation System

I have a question about the new system. I have caught bits and pieces of
discussion on this but do not remember this item specifically. The question
is, does the system keep track of a troop's failure rate and increase your
"weight" or chance of being selected the longer you go without getting a
reservation? With Philmont being in such high demand, a system like this
would seem like the only fair way to approach it. When I called in the fall
of 2000, I guess I was very lucky as I got through in about 15 minutes and
got the reservation we wanted. At least that was proactive in that I was
physically doing something to try to get in. Now, other than following the
every-other-year rule, what are the chances of being selected if it is a
random drawing each year? If it is not already in place, having your unit's
chances improve the longer you go without getting a reservation would be a
way to improve the system and help ensure that everyone eventually gets
their chance, say within 2-3 years of initially trying.

Jeff Dunckle

Troop 180

Philmont '02

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Received on Tue Nov 2 01:01:02 2004