Re: [Philmont]: Gear Check

On Sun, 5 Sep 2004 11:01:40 -0400, Tom Lindtveit <n2sa@bestweb.net> wrote:
> "The extra knowledge doesn't weigh a thing."
>
> This is a great quote! Do you mind if I use it? I always say "Knowledge
> is power", but that is getting old.
> I wish desperately that our local ARC would offer the WFA course, I've
> been trying to get them to look into it for over a year with little
> success. They started out by telling me that this is not a course the
> ARC offers, but now they are just saying they can't get a certified
> instructor. I have polled the local Scout leaders, and we could easily
> fill their first class. The basic First Aid Course is pretty much Second
> Class first aid, "stabilize and transport". When you ask about what to
> do when you can't transport, you get a glassy stare. VERY frustrating.
> Happy Hiking,
> Tom

Sure, feel free to use the quote.

Meanwhile, our ARC wouldn't have a clue how to offer the course
either; I got into this because I just wanted to *take* the course. I
ended up being certified as an instructor, recruited/found a few more
and now we're pretty much self sufficient. The way we got our start is
by hooking up with the folks at www.scoutcpr.org, down in Conroe, TX.
They have a fantastic program with a lot of youth involvement, and
among other things they sponsor instructor training weekends aimed at
Scouters. There's one coming up Sept 24-26 at Camp Strake (Conroe,
TX). They'll gladly accept out of council scouters and will even
arrange to pick you up at the airport. It is a very full weekend
(Friday evening-Sunday evening running late on Saturday), but you'll
come out of it certified as an American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED
instructor with the add-on for Wilderness First Aid Basics. Cost is
usually about half of what our ARC chapter charges for just the
FA/CPR/AED cert and they can arrange cheap lodging at Camp Strake (air
conditioned dorms even) as well.

The key point, Tom, is that you'll never get the class to happen if
you wait for ARC. Round up someone else who is interested, get both of
you down to Conroe (or any place that can help you get certified),
order your materials and schedule the class. It would be really
helpful if you can co-teach with someone experienced before you go
"solo" but your ARC chapter probably won't figure out to require this.
Still, you'd be welcome to come down and co-teach with us in our next
Council class (Apr 2 weekend 2005) at Lost Pines (central Texas).
Also, out of council Scouts/Scouters are welcome in our course
anytime. It is a really fun class to teach but it's really hard to
teach alone (16 hours of instruction works better as a tag team). Two
instructors is ok, and 3 is just about right. Go for it, after all,
what's one more hour a week?

-- 
T.W. Cook - SM Troop 151 - Georgetown, Texas
http://www.troop151.org
(also Capitol Area Council Wilderness First Aid Course Director among
other hats)
-------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------------