Car Camping to Backpacking
ALICERAE@AOL.COM
Wed, 27 Jan 1999 13:49:52 EST
Allen Maddox posted a note regarding taking his troop from car camping to all
backpacking.
IMHO I would offer the following:
Do you expect new Scouts (10 year old Webelos) to join you backpacking on
their first camping trip?
What about a Scout who can physically do that activity or financially afford
it?
The Scouting program is designed to offer outdoor activities to ALL Scouts.
Wouldn't it be easier to have Venture-type program but still offer the car
camping to the rest of the troop. Was this a decision made by the PLC? Is
it the best decision for the ENTIRE troop? Backpacking is an advanced skill
that boys (and some adults) need time to transition into. You are asking an
awful lot of those in your troop.
What was the reason for going to all backpacking? Equipment? Ease?
Someone's preference? I am the SM of a small, 1-year old troop. I have one
15-year old, 2 14-year olds, 4 13-year olds and 3 12-year olds. I can't get
them to go backpacking with me -- I've been backpacking since I was 17 and
would truly love to do it again. They just aren't into it. But, it's their
program and for the good of the troop, that's what they choose to do.
Just a few thoughts.
Alice Rae
SM, Troop 26
Napa, CA
