[Philmont] autumn adventure

My friend Mike Conkey writes from Colorado that his boys can backpack for four days for what Philmont charges for one. That is something that is very much worth considering.

We in the east can also set up backpacking trips on the AT or other ridges in the Appalachians for a fraction of what Philmont charges. Once you see how it's done in our "University of the Outdoors", you can translate the lesson to any beautiful spot on earth.

Sometimes the only thing that gets in the way is setting aside the time, picking out the days and blocking them off in our calendars. The rest of what we have to do can wait, if only we schedule properly.

For many of us, association with a Scout troop or Venturing Crew provides the impetus to set aside those days in the calendar to enjoy the great outdoors, and bring that enjoyment to our youth. Without Scouting, we might see the autumn leaves fall only from the windows of our cars on our daily commute, rather than on a Friday to Sunday camping or backpacking trip.

That being said, I never feel more like a Boy Scout than when I'm at the Ranch, whenever I'm privileged to be there, whatever the cost. And I'm still a Boy (Scout), just as when I first saw the Ranch at age 16 (1970) or attended my first (of nine) Jamborees in Idaho in 1969. Being at the Ranch for Autumn Adventure really recharges my Scouting batteries, so that I can bring that enthusiasm back to the boys, and encourage them to join a Council contingent, even if they don't know their fellow crewmembers or are unfamiliar with their advisors.

The Autumn Adventure flyer admonishes all-adult crews to use the experience to enhance the Scouting program in their home councils.

Any program at the Ranch also re-emphasizes that Scouting is a national movement, not just something a few of us do in Pitman, NJ. It's been around for a while and will be around for an awful lot longer, delivering on its promise to our youth.

So get out there and do as Mike suggests, schedule those backpacking trips in beautiful scenery in your own backyard, for a fraction of the cost of Philmont. And don't forget to draw upon the lessons learned at "Scouting's Paradise" to enhance the experience for your youth and for yourselves.

Yours in Scouting,

Bill Sheehan, ASM
Troop 55, Pitman, NJ
Philmont '70,'72, Autumn Advnenture '01, '03,'05,'07 and hopefully '08

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Received on Fri Oct 12 17:07:27 2007