RE: [Philmont]: Troop vs Council Crews

> I must disagree with those who feel that troop contingents
> should get a priority over council contingents. Small troops may
never get a full
> crew. The ranch was donated for the benefit of scouts, not
> troops. If a troop does not win a lottery, each scout can still apply
to
> the council.

I agree with Roman here, the councils need a solid foot in the door, it
is the 'second chance' many Scouts need to get the Philmont experience.
If my unit does not get lucky for 2006 I will encourage my guys to try
to fill up a council crew. If they need an advisor, I could be
'persuaded' to go, but if there are other adults who have not yet gone,
I'd like to think I will give them the chance. We have a small Council,
and usually have to beat the bushes for Scouts, and sometimes adults.
 
> Troops should be running a high adventure program that
> includes multiple opportunities for each scout.

Not sure what you mean by this. We have a very small Troop, presenting
multiple opportunities is a problem for us, unless you mean available to
everyone throughout the year, which we have. But I lack the staff to
have several 'options' for the boys to 'choose' from. We live in the
hills, so good hiking is 15 minutes away, and the backpacking here is
great, although somewhat more challenging than Philmont, but without the
high altitude.

 
> But I am sure that there are many scoutmasters
> not on this list who just apply as often as they can, beat
> the bushes for scouts from ANY troop they can find just so the leaders
can
> go back again and again, and then sell their high adventure program.

 Just a technical point: If you read the application criteria, it
clearly states that you can only bring members that are 'registered in
your unit'. I take this to mean that scarfing up a crew from old buddies
and surrounding units is not within the spirit of the rules.

>
> I also understand that there are troops of 100+ scouts who
> could send a
> crew to Philmont every year and never repeat a crew member.
> That does not
> change my mind about the process of allowing councils to get
> first choice.

I don't see why large units could not discuss this with their council to
try to get the council allotment increased.

>
> Troops can find many places to go and many things to do. Lets save
> Philmont for scouts as a special place. If your troop gets
> in, then that is the best way for a scout to get there. If your
scouts
> need to go with scouts from other troop in a council contingent, then
that is
> also a great experience for your scouts.

I could not agree more Roman. There is one reason and one reason alone
that I want to go back in 2006, I KNOW that my boys will get a lot out
of it, and grow from the experience. When I was there in August (with
another unit as a last minute fill-in), I just kept saying to myself
"boy, my guys would love this!". I've been a lot of places and done a
lot of things, I have my own personal 'high adventure program', but I
REALLY enjoy watching these boys grow and handle the challenges better
and better each year.

Tom
SM T 66
West Hurley, NY

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Received on Thu Nov 4 04:45:32 2004