[Fwd: Philmont Weight Limits]
Calvin H. Gray (405geezer@IGG-TX.NET)
Tue, 1 Jul 1997 13:41:43 -0400
Message-ID: <33B862CE.6984@igg-tx.net>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 21:52:14 -0400
From: "Calvin H. Gray" <405geezer@igg-tx.net>
Reply-To: 405geezer@igg-tx.net
Organization: Scoutmaster, Troop 405, Georgetown, Texas
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To: SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU
Subject: Philmont Weight Limits
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During tonight's troop meeting, I spoke with several adults from our
expedition (616-G) which returned from Philmont on the morning of June
29. Our troop had 4 crews. It appears that Philmont IS ENFORCING the
weight limits for both adults and Scouts.
We had two adults whose medical forms showed they were over the limit.
One by 2 lbs. and another by 22 1/2 lbs. Philmont re-weighed the guy
who was over by 2 lbs. and he turned out to be 2 lbs. under the
limit...so they let him go out on the trail. They also let the other
guy go out but it sounds to me like he "lucked out" as he said the
Philmont medic (a "young kid") checked his blood pressure but didn't say
anything about his weight. He did complete the trek and had a great
time.
Our adults reported that crews arriving after June 23 got the "don't
come to Philmont if you're overweight" letter. They also reported that
Philmont was furnishing "Rent-a-Rangers" (at no additional cost to to
the crew) to crews who needed to maintain the two-deep leadership but
had to leave an adult at Base Camp due to his/her weight. They didn't
know if Philmont was going to continue doing this for the remainder of
the summer.
As to the reason given by Philmont for doing this, our adults were told
that this was because many overweight campers had experienced heart and
breathing problems during the 1996 camping season. My guess is that
this is one reason but the "real" reason has to do with insurance or
legal concerns...or why would Philmont have waited so late to
communicate with crews about the problem? Philmont is the best oganized
Scout camp I've ever seen and I can't believe they would be late in
communicating a major change like this unless something "strange" had
happend.
So the bottom line is that Philmont does appear to be ENFORCING the
weight limits as stated on the 1997 medical form. Our adults reported
there were quite a few "over the limit" adults and Scouts camping at
Base Camp in a special section that Philmont has set aside for them
while the other members of their crews are out on the trail.
So take the letter from Philmont seriously...if an adult or Scout shows
up over the weight stated on the 1997 medical form, it certainly appears
that he/she WILL NOT be allowed to go out on the trail.
YiS,
Calvin Gray
SM, Troop 405
Georgetown, Texas
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
