[Philmont] Ranger 2008

Matt B. wrote:
>
> I just got word that I am going to be a Ranger this summer. What, in
> your opinion makes a good Ranger and what advice would you give to
> someone going out as Ranger staff?
>
###########################

Hi Matt!

Let me approach this from a totally different angle. Partially because
all of the advise you have got so far is correct and partially because
there is a perspective that is worth some discussion.

Think back to your first summer camp. I'm sure that there were some
people on staff who you really grew to respect over the course of that
week. Maybe even a couple who you did not like much on day 1-2 but who
really grew on you by the 5-6th day.

Your challenge is that you have to get all the way to day 6 by day 2.

In the "real world" I am a computer consultant. I have really
compressed time frames to get a lot accomplished. If things go bad then
it is my job to get things right or all kinds of unhappy stuff happens.
  Then the customer gets to rest and play with the new toys and I start
all over again the next week.

Seems this is the way things works for the Philmont Rangers. You get a
couple of days to get a crew out on the trail and they remember you
forever. How they remember you is the key. Then you go back and repeat
the process may times over the summer.

The best part of this for you is that if you have an "off crew" that you
will not have a lot of time to think about it before you have to start
over. The bad news is that if you have an "off crew" you will have to
quickly get over it and be fresh for the next crew.

Think baseball relief pitcher or NFL Cornerback. Short memories and
high self-confidence at least as important as all of the other skills
everyone has talked about.

Hope this helps.

Mark

-------------------------------------------------------
Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp
-------------------------------------------------------
Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com
List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp
List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com
-------------------------------------------------------
To Unsubscribe send text email to:

     To: listserv@troop47.com
     Subject: unsubscribe
     Body: unsubscribe philmont@troop47.com
-------------------------------------------------------

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 Thu Nov 22 19:56:22 2007