Scout Leaders?

**The Weezer's Dad** · 02-05-2012, 10:19

ASM, Troop 243, Louisville.

I too was bummed about hammock restriction at Philmont. Was told the bears are "used to seeing the Philmont tents". Not sure what that is supposed to mean...not sure anyone does.

**Nighthauk** · 02-05-2012, 11:09

Yeah that doesn't even make sense to me. They are used to one but not the other? Doesn't it make sense that if they were used to tents they would also be less afraid of tents and therefor more likely to be adventurous with them as well.

**Bondo** · 02-05-2012, 21:40

ASM Troop 480 Lemoore, Ca

**thekid** · 02-05-2012, 22:29

I've been a Cub Scout Den Leader for 4 years now. My Son is in Jr. Webelos. I had an overnight camp in my back yard and introduced then to hammock camping. They loved it. They all fought over turns to try mine out. I hope to have a Den meeting soon to have then make their own. We have been doing an overnight at a local spot in Oshkosh for three years now. Every year they ask if we are going to winter again! Note that usually the temp in Wisconsin at this time is below freezing!!!! Our overnight is coming on the 18th and we have NO SNOW!! Its going to be a muddy mess but I love the chance to give the Scouts an outdoor experience.

**GrizzlyAdams** · 02-05-2012, 23:55

Originally Posted by SMJerry

...
We are heading to Philmont this coming August and understand Phimont does not allow Hammocks.. something about a bear issue.
I called down there.. they said it had nothing to do with trees, just bear.

I did a Philmont trek with my older two sons in 2006, before I got into hammock camping. The rule at the time was no lines of any kind on trees, e.g., a clothes line.

So I've got another son who turns 11 in May and will join a troop then. That gives either Philmont about 3 years to relent on hammocks, or me about 3 years to figure out a super-light-weight backpacking worthy hammock stand

**Maleko** · 02-06-2012, 00:58

Grizz, can't you just tether a something to their hiking poles?

**GrizzlyAdams** · 02-06-2012, 09:08

Originally Posted by Maleko

Grizz, can't you just tether a something to their hiking poles?

Not as easy as that. Two issues of concern : (1) strength of hiking pole. This has been done, on the other hand I read a report a couple years ago of someone who was hiking in Scotland or the Yorkshire dales or Lapland---read no trees---and snapped a pole. Leaving him without a pole and without a way of suspending the hammock. (2) Forces on stakes. They are considerable, and the ground at Philmont can be very hard and rocky, making it chancy to count on being able to drive long ones in deep enough to hold.

The way to take the force off the stakes is through a ridgeline pole, and there lays the challenge.

**Badchef** · 02-06-2012, 10:27

I'm involved with my daughters' American Heritage Girls troop. They are the only scouting organization that has a letter of agreement/working relationship with the Boy Scouts.

I am in the process of outfitting each of my girls with hammocks, as well as my wife who is the troop leader.

I can see several DIY projects in our future, including the use of thread injectors to make their own gear and earn their sewing badge.

**dallas** · 02-07-2012, 15:13

Originally Posted by SMJerry

We are heading to Philmont this coming August and understand Philmont does not allow Hammocks..

I'm the High Adventure coordinator for Troop 1077 in Dallas. Our only hangers are myself and my 2 boys. Others are curious, but no one has joined us yet.

Count me as another one disapointed in the Philmont restrictions. It would be the perfect place to use hammocks. And I would sleep SO much better! If enough of us keep asking, maybe someday they will relent and at least allow the advisors to take them.

If they have never allowed hammocks, how in the world would they know how bears would react to them? Hey, I'll be the test case. If I get eaten, then keep the ban.

We did take our hammocks to Northern Tier and it was fantastic.

2008 612-P8
2012 609-S