Re: [Philmont]: Re: New Reservation System

Why does it not make sense to change the every second year to every
third or fourth year for a troop? Granted this will not have a direct
one for one effect since this will probably increase the number of
crews a troop takes when they do go, but I still believe it would have
an impact. It seems at least worth trying. It just doesn't seem to
make sense for some troops to get it every other year while others
can't get in at all. I would think for Philmont to try to keep track
of how many times a troop has applied and been denied would be
difficult. It seems that the problem increases every year, with ever
longer waiting lists. With having to apply so far in advance, it's
really difficult for scouts to commit, and some have to drop out
because they move or have sports or band activities they had not
anticipated at the time they sign up. When this occurs it seems to
make sense to open up the vacancies to other scouts from other troops
rather than have them wasted even through the reservations were made in
good faith at the time.

We have a troop of over 100 scouts and have tried to go every four
years with other high adventure activities on the other three years.
We did get in in 1992, 1996, and 2000, but not in 2004, although I was
able to be the council contingent leader in 2004. I was able to get in
every scout I became aware of, but had to leave most of the adults
behind. A great father-son bonding opportunity was lost, but at least
the boys were able to attend.

Charles Goodwin, MD, Scoutmaster Troop 236, Kettering, OH
On Nov 29, 2004, at 8:16 PM, Dave Edelman wrote:

> Joe T. asks --
>
> Does anyone believe troops are only asking for crews they can fill from
> their own troop?
>
> I suspect that this will not surprise anyone, but the finances of
> sending a
> single crew to Philmont from New York are just not realistic.
>
> The price per person last year for our council contingent at various
> contingent sizes was this:
>
> 12 people $1,147.58
> 24 people $1,015.29
> 36 people $973.71
> 47 people $950.55
>
> While most of the costs are per person (airfare, Philmont, insignia,
> meals
> and lodging.) The really big nut is the transportation from the
> airport to
> Philmont itself. In our case, Denver Airport to Colorado Springs on
> day 0,
> Colorado Springs to Philmont on day 1 and Philmont to Denver Airport
> on the
> last day.
>
> Yes there are a few transportation options that might have moved the
> price
> point a bit (not as much as you might think) but there is really no
> good way
> to make Philmont happen in the single crew space. This changes
> dramatically
> if the crew is within driving distance to Philmont or if Amtrak is a
> viable
> alternative. We did Amtrak once and it wasn't considered a second time.
> Amtrak from New York means the awful trip to Chicago (overnight number
> one)
> and a change to the much better train for the second overnight into
> Raton.
> Back is the same two nights and the leg between New York and Chicago is
> awful on its best day.
>
> Of course the possibility of no stay in Colorado Springs and no
> Flying-W
> Ranch etc. would have reduced cost, but for most of our crew members
> these
> were also highlights. As a council contingent we were not limited to
> the
> single unit so this problem did not occur. A Troop or a Venturing Crew
> restricted to a single Philmont crew would have a $197 per person
> problem.
>
>
>
> --Dave
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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> Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
> loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
> cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
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>
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>
>
>

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-------------------------------------------------------
As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
-------------------------------------------------------

 
Received on Mon Nov 29 20:42:36 2004