Sorry, Robi, but you got my attention when you slammed the
the scenery, and I have different thoughts. Philmont is
about a lot of things. Programs and activities is just
one. Burro packing can be a great option for one crew and
not desired by another. My 2002 crew got in a routine,
entirely on their own and when possible, of determining if
there were any great view spots within a mile or so from
our campsite where they could get up early and go watch the
sunrise. One of my 15 y-o (and well travelled) Scouts in
that crew wrote a brilliant school essay about how much
Philmont land and views inpsired him and left a lasting
emotional impression. My 2003 crew also had a great
appreciation of the awesome views. And they enjoyed many
of the staff camp programs, too. My crew in 1998 only
wanted to do the most challenging hikes - full packs over
Baldy, go out of the way to summit every possible peak,
find the little known plane wreck or cave, get there first,
etc. Some of my other crews enjoyed most the camraderie
and teamwork of the crew and bonded and grew together. If
you ask the Philmont professionals, they will tell you the
number one program at Philmont is hiking, not any of the
other "activites" at staff camps. Philmont has a lot of
diverse opportunities, and that's what makes it a great
place to have a superior small-team-challenging-experience.
If burros, or scenery, doesn't suit you or is boring,
well, it might be the best thing for someone else. Best to
be open minded to all the options.
Julian Love
Troop 116, Charlotte, NC
----Original Message Follows----
From: Robi Garcia <surfwar81@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2003
I have to agree that Philmont is mostly about programs and
activities. The scenery is an interesting, if a little bit
boring, diversion and mostly appeals to the adults. There
are many more spectacular hikes in this great nation of
ours, and you could go just about any direction from
Philmont to find them. The memories that the boys take
from Philmont usually have nothing to do with a view. From
all the backpacks of my youth, I only remember one day in
Evolution Valley when I was truly noticing my surroundings.
- Robi
=====
Julian Love, JL@JLove.net
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Received on Wed Sep 3 15:38:55 2003
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