RE: [Philmont]: Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover

John,

I learned the same lesson this summer on our Philmont Trek. I was the
lead advisor, my son the crew chief. We actually were part of a council
contingent crew, which was made up of two separate troops (mine and one
nearby). By the first few days into the trek, there was a clear
distinction between the boys. A few of the boys from the other troop
were the shortest and lightest of the bunch (~ 5-5 and 110 lbs). I had
concerns about them during our training hikes, but they held up fine. I
had the same concerns about their ability to have the mental toughness
and physical endurance for a 12 day trek, but neither flinched the
entire time. They were like the energizer bunny, kept going and going
and going, without a complaint the entire trip. They both carried heavy
packs, including their share of crew gear every day and climbed up Mt.
Phillips (11 mile day) and never complained. I wish I could have said
the same for a few of my guys, who were older and bigger. After the trek
I complemented them and their ASM (who was also part of the crew) on
their abilities. Never judge a book by it's cover, very true.

Mark

Troop14 ASM

Phx, AZ

704-G8

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-philmont@troop47.com [mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com] On
Behalf Of John LeBlanc
Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2004 4:50 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
Subject: [Philmont]: Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover

<<My son is 5'11' and only about 115. Clearly way under the chart. He
had no problem with the medical this summer, they didn't even ask him
about his weight.

Joe >>

When I first went to Philmont in 1959, at age 14, I was 5-4 and weighed
95 lbs. I hiked over Mt Phillips carrying a U S Army molded plywood
packboard, a canvas Yucca Pack and a cotton duck sleeping bag.

In 2002, at age 57, I was5-8 and weighed 165 lbs. and hiked over Mt
Phillips using modern lightweight gear.

Obviously I had less problems in 1959 than I did in 2002, but in
actuality I had no real problems either time.

The reason I'm saying this is that in 1959, I was the youngest and
smallest Scout in the contingent. Many well meaning parents told my
parents I was too small and would have trouble. Thank goodness, the
contingent leader, a senior guard on the Bear Bryant coached Texas A & M
football team who also was the waterfront director at our council Scout
camp told my dad that from what he had observed of me at summer camp,
that I would have less trouble than most of the "older and bigger"
Scouts and that my dad needed to let me go on the trek. This proved to
be true.

He and I remain close friends to this day. He is still a huge man both
in stature and statue. Built on the lines of Clint Walker, "Cheyene"
and a prince of a man.

Ever since that summer when I enjoyed my trek to Philmont tremendously,
I have been a champion of the "little guy".

True, there is a minimun size that can efficiently carry the necessary
gear, but don't judge a Scouts ability just by size no more than you
would a book by it's cover.

John LeBlanc

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Received on Thu Sep 16 12:45:12 2004