3 weeks until my Trek

“In fact, they may end up with the heavier share of the crew equipment.”

Sounds like a great way to ensure bad attitudes and encourage a scout to never backpack again.  When you scheduled your shakedowns did you include a  minimum participation requirement for them?  My troop at the first parents/crew meeting  we provided the parents and scouts a list of all the shakedown dates and a contract/expectations sheet that spelled out how many trips the scouts needed to participate in.  Had both the scout and parents sign it.  We planned 5 day hikes and 5 weekend backpacking trips.  The scout had to participate in a minimum of three each.  Only had trouble one scout but the issue was resolved.

Council contingents offer a Philmont experience to those who otherwise would not have the opportunity or means to go. Our first Philmont trek was with our Council contingent.

The family information and gear talk was the only training the council offered and it was by a guy that had been only once the year before. He really meant well but his experience and gear were lacking.

Our crew was my son and I, another dad and son from another troop, 3 Scouts from the same troop and 2 Scouts from 2 different troops. All strangers before the family information and gear talk and not much chance for training or anything else.

We had the best Ranger and ranger training I have ever had, and we learned how to best do Philmont with our not so great gear.

The worst Philmont experience is still better than the best experience anywhere else.
“Philmont should be enjoyed, not endured.” Moonshine

I don’t see why a council contingent could not impose a minimum participation standard. I know my council has done that for contingent trips to Jambo.  They had several mandatory  weekend camp outs. It would seem like a good idea because you don’t know the scouts skill level due to them being from different troops.  Like I said for 2017 we did it because I had a pretty good idea if I didn’t we would have several scouts who would not have gone on any shakedowns. The next year we went to MOHAB and we didn’t do it because I knew we had a crew of scouts that were motivated for the trip and enjoyed backpacking.  The only problem  is trying to deal with it retroactively.

We’re cramming for the final with our crew.  We won’t have as much prep as I wanted, but we will succeed.  The early part of our trek is low miles.  I’m having our scouts do some neighborhood hiking on their own with their packs to supplement what we didn’t get done as a crew.