RE: [Philmont]: Question on a fitness test for Philmont

You are very fortunate to have such a scout as your crew leader (paternal
pride notwithstanding). This young man has accepted the responsibility of
doing everything he can to assure the crew's success. He's identified a
potential problem, and has developed an objective standard against which all
crew members, including adults, can be measured fairly. Those are important
factors. What's less important is whether the actual tests are truly
representative of pass-fail criteria on the Philmont trail. Although it's
appropriate that he can't deny anyone passage to Philmont, IMHO it's also
highly appropriate that he apply pressure, tactfully, in any area where he
feels the crew is weak (figuratively and literally). This boy is a leader.
He is one of those who will get things done.

My personal opinion is that the push-ups are of secondary importance,
although if one can pass that part of the test, it's an indicator of a
higher probability of success at Philmont. Several athletes on our crew this
summer spent some of our discussion time on the trail convincing me of the
value of building one's core muscles (i.e. situps). If I were designing such
a test, I would base it more on heart rate and recovery time and a bit less
on specific strength benchmarks.

Of the tests listed, both of our crew's adult advisors could pass the tests,
except for me and the situps (although I've worked crunches into my exercise
program since that discussion on the trail).

>Ched Hudson
ASM, Troop 994
Fairfax Station VA
Philmont 67, 04

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-philmont@troop47.com [mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com]On
Behalf Of John Suprock
Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2004 1:41 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
Subject: [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?

_______________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today!
http://vote.yahoo.com

-------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------------

 
Received on Thu Sep 23 19:29:37 2004