[Philmont]: Question on a fitness test for Philmont

In our troop, the Philmont Crew Leader is often the
most experienced, usually on a return trip. They have
the rank of Jr.ASM if Eagle, ASPL if not. The PCL
runs the whole show from September through the end of
the trip. They organise and run EVERYTHING, the
advisor is there to drive, supply his credit card,
sign for rental equipment, and advise.

My son is the Philmont Crew Leader for this year. His
last trip was with a district crew where one of the
adult leaders bailed after two days because they
couldn't handle the physical exertion and it hurt the
expedition. Some of the adult leaders on this
expedition, as he puts it, "have touched more cookies
than a Keebler elf". To make sure that everyone is
capable of meeting the demands, he wants to impose a
fitness test on all scouts and leaders.

He thinks a test will show those who are not fit
enough that they have some work to do in a
non-subjective way. He wants to require every scout
who does not pass the test to do the physical fitness
merit badge before they go to Philmont, and every
adult will have to pass the test, period.

The physical fitness MB is based on the Presidents
Council on Physical Fitness Test, so his idea is that
everyone would have to qualify for the National Award
for 14 yr old boys. This means being more fit than
50% of US 14yr olds to pass.

 45 sit-ups in a minute,
 10 seconds in the shuttle run
 1 inch reach in V-sit (reach 1in. past your heels
with feet 12in. apart)
 24 push-ups
 7:44 mile run

Although it is not really the same as completing a
five mile hike uphill at 6000 ft with a 50 pound pack
in less than three hours the day after you've flown in
from the coast, is this a reasonable idea? Could
everyone on your last expedition, including adults, do
it?

Also, I am concerned with a 16yr old kid telling an
adult that unless they shape up, theyre going to hurt
the expedition. Obviously, he will have to handle
this delicately. He isn't going to be able to say,
'If you don't pass, you don't go'; he doesn't have
that much authority. If you pay your money, you go.
He is looking to use the test to apply pressure on
both the scouts and adults. Any thoughts on this
aspect?

                
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Received on Thu Sep 23 14:26:50 2004