---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "J.R. Brockman" <brock.man133@gmail.com>
Date: Feb 12, 2013 12:56 PM
Subject: ***ALERT MESSAGE*** Philmont Trip 2013
To:
Cc:
From: "J.R. Brockman" <brock.man133@gmail.com>
Date: Feb 12, 2013 12:56 PM
Subject: ***ALERT MESSAGE*** Philmont Trip 2013
To:
Cc:
Dear Scouts and Parents,
Over the past several months there has been an attempt to expand the opportunity for high adventure camping to more Scouts in the Triune District. High adventure camping is reserved for Scouts normally 14 and older and is conducted at such places as the Sea Base Scout Camp in Florida which focuses on scuba diving, sail boating, and other ocean related activities, Northern Tier located in Minnesota that concentrates on wilderness camping and canoing, and Phimont Scout Ranch located in New Mexico which provides an opportunity to do backpacking in the Sierra Mountains.
Each year contingents of Scouts from the Cradle of Liberty go to these camps predominately Philmont which is the best known. The average cost is approximately $2,000 to include purchasing the right equipment of hiking books, backpack for mountain camping, sleeping bag, and rainwear, all of which combined could add as much as another $500 to the total cost. There was an effort afoot to bring that cost down to $350.00 via a scholarship program directed to Triune District Scouts which often have faced the obstacle of the high cost.
Recently it was announced the scholarship program would be offered this year and information was sent out to several of Scouts some of who already have expressed interest and were ready to commit. Unfortunately I have just been informed that these funds will not be available this year. The opportunity still exist to attend Philmont however it would have to be at the full price. I am saddened by this news as I was looking forward to those Scouts who were ready to commit to this extraordinary opportunity.
I have been trying for more than five years to arrange a trip to Philmont. Unfortunately I have not succeeded primarily due to the cost and the other logistics such as training and preparation. For example, participating Scouts at Philmont will hike an average 5 to 8 miles a day for approximately a week with a 35-40 lbs pack. To be successful you need to have prior conditioning since this will be hiking in high altitude over hilly terrain. However, this is a fantastic an exciting opportunity that I would like for all of our Scouts to take part in. The reality is only a small percentage of Scouts will ever go and finances is the biggest obstacle.
We have had success in our 'out-of-states' trip such as Alaska, Maine, Florida, and for our plans next year to go to Camp Many Point in Minnesota. This Saturday Mr. Mike Bernard a representative from the Council will come to our meeting to deliver a presentation on Philmont. All parents are invited to attend. There is talk that that scholarships will be available next year and for those Scouts who are now 11 or 12 getting the idea to go Philmont is a great goal to have in front of you. Additionally, for those 14 years and older just like at regular camp there are staff jobs at Philmont too that you can apply. Staff jobs will pay you for the time you are there. You will have to handle your own travel.
For those Troop 133 Scouts who were looking towards taking advantage of the opportunity this year to go to Philmont I am very sorry that you have to receive these news if financially you will not be able to attend this year due to cost. I did offer my input into the discussions of the Philmont Trip and Triune Scouts and had hoped that my recommendations and suggestions would be listen to in order to avoid this type of situation. My understanding is that the funds were available at some point and then where withdrawn to be used in some other way. Since this is a Jamboree year, it could be they will used to help Scouts attend that event. The National Jamboree is only held once every four years and Philmont theoretically is available every year.
I will redouble my efforts as much as possible to ensure our Minnesota trip can go as plan. As you can see by this, money unfortunately plays a critical role in whether you can or cannot do certain things. As with all our activities funding is an underlying factor and I wish it did not but that is the reality we must deal with. What this conveys is that when we have our fundraisers, it is important that we get the full support of everyone because it does make a difference. Or, we need to identify other souces of funding such as grants and donations from others.
In the past parents have given me information on potential sources of funding. However, I cannot do this by myself and this is where parents can make the difference. in researching, contacting, and making applications if there are grants or funds that we may qualify for. I can certainly provide some guidelines, but I can't do all the work as much as I would like to focus more on finding money to do what we want.
On one final note. Mr. Mike Bernard has been a tireless advocate for getting more of our youth involved in trips to Philmont. He is a troop leader with a unit in Hatboro. While several leaders would not even venture toward engaging with our Scouts or community, Mike has been a true servant leader in focusing on Scouts and attempting to include all Scouts in such activities as high adventure camping.
Thank you,
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