50 MIler restrictions?
Keith Wood (kwood@CJNETWORKS.COM)
Mon, 16 Aug 1999 16:09:29 -0500
Bob Taylor asked "do you impose lower age limits and/or other qualifing
requirements for 50 miler hikes/high adventure type trips?"
Our troop builds off the former Philmont and current HA base requirements.
We limit our high adventure hikes or other adventures to Scouts who have
earned First Class and are at least 13 years old by date of the trip. If
they boy will qualify age by date of the trip, he can participate in the
training. However, many boys just turning 13 are not ready for the heavy
duty stress of long distance backpacking. So we have to plan some of the
events to fit their needs.
Overall, we try to build high adventure as a "next level" - something for
the younger Scouts to aspire to. Keeps them in the program and working.
We do not plan regular campouts as part of the HA program, though some do
cover those skills such as cooking with Coleman Peak One type stoves and No
Trace Camping.
Our high adventure trips are normally extended weekends that are in
addition to the regular troop program. Then once a year, usually summer,
we take the big trip to Philmont, Sommers, Sea BAse, or whereever. If we
don't get a reservation in the national lottery, then we plan our own trips
based on the Scouts vote for location. Their votes have taken us to the
Appalachian Trail, the Black Hills, Yosemite, and Isle Royale.
YIS,
Keith Wood
ASM T-59, V-2159 Advisor
