Value of High Adventure

I'm reading Aldo Leopold's A Sand County Almanac, and came across this quote that nicely sums up why Scouting remains relevant and why we do what we do. The context is that the author is recounting an encounter on the Flambeau River with two teenage boys who recently graduated high school and who were due to report soon for basic training.

The elemental simplicities of wilderness travel were thrills not only because of their novelty, but because they represented complete freedom to make mistakes. The wilderness gave them their first taste of those rewards and penalties for for wise and foolish acts which every woodsman faces daily, but against which civilization has built a thousand buffers.

EXCELLENT! I do have to agree with that.

High adventure also foces a participant to "solider through". There always seems to be at least one point in every trip where the scout is tired, hungry and does not want to keep moving, carrying, or doing whatever the task is. Unfortunately there is no practical way to stop or reason to allow the scout to quit. The scout has to face his own fears and fatigue to make it happen. They learn that they have more reserve than they thought they did. They accomplish something over the week+ long adventure that most people in modern times seldom do. They went up against nature and hardship and came out the other side strongly metally for the challenage.

It is something they carry within them the rest of their lives. They have been tested and know to their very core that they can do whatever it takes. They learn to believe in themselves. They walk a little straigher and taller.

Plus its lots of fun! I just sent off the paperwork today for my triple crown award. Only took 35 years to get all three national bases. Every person needs some adventure in their lives.

Yes it tests you, forces you to use your Scouting skills and the knowledge you've gained over your scouting career. Depending upon the type of trip, it forces you to depend heavily on your partner and crew to overcome challenges that arise. You are completely dependent upon the gear you have packed, the skills you have mastered, and knowledge you have learned.

Yes my first HA trip was a blast and a learning expereince, something I will never forget, and something I hope my boys go through.

Resqman,

I agree with your post. We had a kid on our 50 miler last month. On day 3, he called me over and proceeded to melt down. We had a long conversation and I told him when it was over to tell his parents "It sucked...and I had a great time."

He laughed and his attitude did an immediate 180. He had a great time.