so-ill

Thanks for your input guys! I don't want to give my son's name but he is a former Cadet national champion and current Jr. national runner up (2nd place). I have never encouraged him to get big but during the wrestling season he is near 285. It is very hard to compete and be successful if you aren't near the max weight. His last national event was in June so that only left 2 months to cut weight.

We did have 3 conversations with Philmont before going down. The problem is that every time I called we got someone different to talk to. The last doctor we talked to said to bring him down but there was a chance he would be sent home. Also our council rep. that handled the council treks tried contacting the Medical office at Philmont but they were having phone problems the 2 weeks before we went down. I finally got the last doctor when they had him come to a different building to use the phone.

Its in the past now. Just sharing and venting.

I'm back! I had a great time in the end. My heart was broken however because my son was sent home. I thought about going home the third day out on the trail but I stayed for the boys and after I got to crater lake which I had visited as a boy I started to have a good time. This is was a trip I took with my dad in 1984 and it was to be a trip with my son before he leaves home for his life as a young man.

As I said with the first post above my son is a top-notch athlete and along with one boy in our crew that is a cross-country runner he was the most fit in our group. Philmonts Height and Weight chart may weed out 90 percent of the folks that have no business going up into the mountains but it also excludes some that are more than able. In my entire time in scouts I have never witnessed the BSA exclude anyone ,anytime. My son trains for wrestling 6 months out of the year and Jui Jitsu 12 months of the year and during the school year he lifts weights 5 days a week. During wrestling season this adds up to 5 lifting sessions, 6 wrestling practices and 3 Jiu Jitsu practices each week!!

The head doctor at the medical center did not care to hear about my sons fitness or the OK by our family doctor. He also refused to give him any fitness test or to watch him do any exercises, run or sprints etc.

He did say that he needed to protect the integrity of the Height and Weight chart. He also related a story of an ex-marine I think from north or south Carolina that he had just sent home that was 9 pounds overweight.

Hopefully after school and sports are over and done with my son will be able to get down to philmonts guidelines for what a typical fit person is.

I must say that except for this one doctor the staff at Philmont was exceptional, friendly and very energetic and into their jobs. We are already planning on a trek for 08 or 09 with the council contingent.

No info yet. My council rep is talking to philmont today and well get an answer. We are a scouting family and I did this trip with my dad in 1984 now I'm doing it with my son.

By the way I grew up in Topeka. My sister is a k-state grad but my dad followed KU football and basketball. I'm torn but I'd have to lean towards The Hawks.

Living in St. Louis now.

Thanks fellow scouters!!!

I know Philmont has weight requirements but are they sending kids back home that don't meet the guidelines?

I called out to philmont and the doctor I talked to was nice but refused to talk about it. Just kept refering to the weight chart.

We have a kid that is 275 lbs 17 years old. He is a national level wrestler, bench presses over 300 lbs. Is as in shape as you could be yet there is noway he's going to make weight.

This is the one kid you wouldn't have too worry about but since hes bult like an offensive lineman he'll be sent home??

Or does philmont use some common sence with kids like this?