[at-l] About those tents....

[Lurker]

On Thu, 2007-03-08 at 18:24 -0500, Richard Calkins wrote:
> Folks:
> 
> I can't thank you enough for all of your advice -- and wisdom, including the 
> tongue-in-cheek variety!
> 
> The ensuing thread has restored my confidence that I am going about this 
> thing the right way:
> 
> -- accepting (but not liking) that it is a different world out there from 
> the one I grew up in, and thus recognizing that one cannot be too careful in 
> terms of certain kinds of risks (like youth protection training and two-deep 
> leadership to avoid the devastating impact that a single predator can have 
> on kids);
> 
> -- putting up with the bureacracy that arises from law suits, as the price 
> we all pay for some individuals believing that they deserve compensation if 
> they suffer an "injury" of any kind (and that's not about lawyers, but their 
> clients -- encouraged by like-thinking juries);
> 
> -- spending classroom time on the essential elements of wilderness survival, 
> and emphasizing the importance of detailed planning, careful preparation, 
> and sound judgement in decision-making during the excursion -- using many of 
> the most recent successful, and unsuccessful, mountain rescue missions to 
> illustrate the key points;
> 
> -- and then getting them OUT THERE where they can discover for themselves 
> both the joys and the hazards of life in the back country, as there is 
> simply no substitute for experience.
> 
> My job is to provide example, advice and guidance as they leave their 
> comfortable suburban "nest" and try their wings in a more challenging and 
> distinctly less forgiving environment.  Our first event, for example, was a 
> ten mile hike in 18 degree weather, with winds gusting to 30 mph, where they 
> learned about "layering"; our second was another ten miles over ice and snow 
> where they learned what trail conditions do to travel time, and something 
> about the effects of gravity when you  aren't paying enough attention to 
> where you put your foot every single step....
> 
> Our next hike will be a 13.5 mile trek, with full backpacks, northbound on 
> the AT between Snickers Gap (about 20 miles south of Harpers Ferry) and 
> Key's gap, with a lunchtime stop at the Blackburn Trail Center.  I'm sort of 
> hoping we'll have torrential rain for that one.  Nothing so far has even 
> dented their sense of adventure!  (Did I mention we have seen foxes, and 
> hawks, and great blue herrons, and even a turtle last weekend -- an early 
> sign of spring along the C&O canal tow path.)
> 
> Our first backpacking trip will  be the last weekend in March, and the kids 
> are really excited about that.  Note I did not say boys: to accomodate our 
> daughters, my troop recently organized a coed Venture Crew.  My own 
> daughter, along with two of my sons, is participating in my outdoor 
> adventure program -- in preparation for Philmont in 2008!
> 
> Oh, and about those tents.  I have decided they will need to provide their 
> own -- to ensure each scout develops a sense of accountability for something 

That is an excellent decision.  We require the scouts and leaders to
supply their own for the same reasons.  Also because noone is willing to
be the caretaker of all those abused tents.

Lurker

> he or she will depend on for protection against the weather, and against 
> bugs, and against foraging animals that come in the night if you are foolish 
> enough to contaminate your tent with food.  I'll be making available to the 
> scouts and their parents the full list of suggestions I have received in 
> response to my original email on this topic.
> 
> Again, my thanks to all who responded.  What an amazing community!!!
> 
> cheers,
> Longhaul
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> AT-L Mailing List.  
> 
> Go here to unsubscribe or change your options:
> 
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/at-l