Re: [Philmont]: Northern Tier

Calvin says, ". . . maybe we can get back to discussing Philmont." Not quite
yet. :-) Two points: (1) there is a list for canoeing, and (2) Philmont and
Northern Tier have differences and things in common.

First, there is a canoeing listserve. At the bottom of each message, its
says:

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Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
Subscribe/Unsubscribe at http://usscouts.org/lists/
Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp
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Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
Send postings to: canoe@troop47.com
List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp
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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.
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If you sign up, you will find many of your Philmont friends there too.

Second, I love Philmont. But there are some differences between Philmont and
Northern Tier. I haven't been to Northern Tier since Nixon resigned
(really), but I think these statements are still accurate. Some are
obviously tongue in cheek.

1. You get to take more showers at Philmont, but you can swim more at
Northern Tier.

2. No dry camps at Northern Tier.

3. Everything you do at Philmont takes place in one county. With Northern
Tier, you have two countries to choose from.

4. I never heard a loon at Philmont.

5. At Northern Tier, you don't have long arguments about whether to take
DEET or not.

6. Every "itinerary" at Northern Tier has fishing on it.

7. Philmont has 35 itineraries. Northern Tier has an infinite number,
because every crew chooses where it goes.

8. We never discuss "jungle boots" on the Philmont list.

9. We never discuss altitude sickness on the Canoe listserve.

10. It is easier to get a slot at Northern Tier.

Both bases have important things in common.

1. The camp administrations are great to work with. I had no problem with
Philmont in 2003, and I have had a good experience with Northern Tier this
year. Adding a second crew for August 2005 took just a phone call.

2. Both bases are the BEST leadership schools for Scouts in the nation. Our
last three Senior Patrol Leaders have been to Philmont.

3. National bases such as Philmont and Northern Tier tie Scouting together,
both across the country and across the generations. There are other high
adventure activities that Scouts can do. But, when I talk about climbing the
north face of Baldy, Scouts and Scouters from all over the country and
across the generations can relate. When you talk about the antics of
interpreters at Northern Tier, you can say the same thing. These bases
promote Scouting by giving us common experiences.

David K. Palmer
SM Olympia (Wash.) BSA Troop 266
Philmont 1976, 2003
C.L. Sommers Canoe Base 1972, 1974, 2005

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Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
Subscribe/Unsubscribe at http://usscouts.org/lists/
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
-------------------------------------------------------
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 Fri Oct 1 09:16:08 2004