T17 - Philmont Gear and Preparation
posted 12/07/12
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Scouts and Adults, Philmont is quickly approaching. We will be meeting as a group after the holidays, but I thought it was important to point out a few things that you should know right now about Philmont... Christmas is a great time for you and your Scouts to acquire gear. Grandparents are always looking for things to get for the "boy that has everything" and we would much rather they have gear than a new video game. The link below is a guide published by Philmont. Look under the heading "What to Bring" for some suggestions and guidelines. We will have some in depth discussions on gear and what tweaks the Troop will make to the gear lists, but this is a good start. If you have specific questions, dont hesitate to ask any of the OF that have been to Philmont before. For everyone, especially adults, no matter how good a shape you think you are in, you are not ready to go yet! Your Philmont trek will be one of the most physically strenuous things you will ever do. It takes specific skills using muscles that you do not use in everyday life. Crews will be getting together to work on a fitness program, but you should start your own NOW. Your personal program should include core strengthening and hill climbing. Start out easy and walk with your empty pack and then work towards a full pack with steep ascents and descents in your daily hike. It is important for you to get as much "pack time" as possible ahead of the trek. You will be wearing your pack six to eight hours a day in Philmont. The link to Philmonts preparation page is http://www.philmontscoutranch.org/Camping/Hikers.aspx There are several Troop requirements that you should also remember... Scouts - you must be a First Class Scout to attend Philmont. I believe everyone on the list has the ability to achieve that rank prior to the summer. Everyone - you must be an ACTIVE member of the Troop to attend Philmont. This includes parents. We want everyone to have plenty of camping experience - with the Troop - before they attend Philmont. The back country is not where we want to figure out that you do not have the skills required. If you have not been camping with us in some time, please make plans to attend the next several campouts. Everyone - Philmont has strict health standards that include a height/weight ratio requirement. They do not make exceptions to this. Please see the latest health form at http://forms.troop17.net/forms/MedicalForm2013.pdf. More information is on Philmonts preparation page also. We have a blog on the Troop site that is dedicated to the Philmont trip. You can subscribe to updates by clicking the email icon at http://www.troop17.net/management/blogreader.asp?b=15. Remember, our goal is to ensure that all participants have a safe and enjoyable trek. Preparation is the key to a successful trek. Mr. Turner
www.troop17.net
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