Re: Philmont Information

Fred Smith wrote:
>
> Troop 261 is planning a Philmont Trek July 2 to July 13 this year.
(SNIP)
> However, we still have a few questions.
>
> 1. Philmont furnishes trail tents or a crew may bring their own. What kind
> of tent do they furnish? Are they in good repair? How do they perform in
> wet weather? How much do they weigh?
This is from my son's recollection from last summer. BE ADVISED our
Troop did the CAVALCADE. (That's on HORSES for those that are not
Philmont phamiliar:-)
The tents provided were similar to our Troop's Eureka Timberline
two-man's except that they are lower in height (particularly at the
center.) They are in good repair and reasonably water resistant. As to
weight, who knows...they packed them on the horses!
> 2. Philmont furnishes a crew dinning fly? Is it worth carrying? Did you
> use it?
Yes, it IS worth taking because of the propensity for rain.
> 3. What kind of trail food is furnished?
A lot of dehydrated stuff. The amount is adequate and apparently
palatable. They are mostly one pot type meals and our guys had about
three different versions of poultry stew. A few spices would NOT be a
bad idea. And even the HORSES won't eat the pemican bars! (I think we
STILL have a couple of those around here somewhere.)
> 4. Are there electrical outlets anywhere for charging VideoCam batteries?
Possibly...at the big camps...he's not sure.
> 5. Have any of your crew members had high blood pressure problems? Philmont
> seems very concerned about it. Has the camp doctor kept anyone off the
> trail?
Didn't come up with our guys. (But then, they weren't walking :-)
> 6. Are the staffed camp programs crowded? How can we make the most of the
> programs?
Philmont did an excellent job of scheduling groups last summer. Gold
panning, fly tying, shotgun shooting, mine tour, branding (boots...not
livestock!). At ALL sites our guys saw no other groups with one
exception. They did have to wait a few minutes at shotgun shell packing.
> 7. Which do you recommend: rain suits or ponchos?
Rain suits for the coverage...ponchos because they cover your stuff
better. Recommendation??? "I dunno." (Hey, he's sixteen. Whadda ya want,
Shakespeare?)
> 8. What would you do differently if you had the opportunity to go again?
"I'd do it again, and again after that. Definitely!" (Amazing quote from
my cynical kid!)
That last is possibly the most definative statement he's made to a
question of mine in two months.
Fred, don't sweat the details. I know it's tough for a rookie to imagine
some BSA facility providing a near flawless experience, but take it from
one who has NEVER been but had to "debrief" 8 guys and 2 adults who
have.....
Philmont will almost certainly be the most impactive and positive single
experience these boys will have had in their young lives. The program is
successful because they have worked many years to make it that way. If
YOU get your boys PREPARED for a LONNNNG walk, they will not even notice
that the dinner came in a baggie. (Note caps.)
In all my years in Scouting, I have NEVER heard of a bad Philmont trek.
Wet, yes...tiring, yes...a logistical nightmare to get there, yes...but
NEVER have I heard a Scout or Scouter say he wouldn't go back...again
and again and again and....

And THAT, my friend, is AMAZING.

--
YiS,

Doug Roach
SA Troop 10 - South Florida Council - Miami
http://www.action-net.net/T10
mailto:djroach@ix.netcom.com
"Got to keep the loonies on the Path..."
                        ---Pink Floyd

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