QUESTION: Our kids' Scout leaders are really dedicated men, but some of the activities they choose and the way they prepare for these activities worry me. For instance, they plan a 35-mile bike ride but do nothing to prepare the boys for this ride. The same thing will happen when the 50/20 (walking 50 miles in 20 hours) comes along - they will call about three days before and do this activity without any preparation.
Shouldn't the boys (and men leaders, too) prepare for these activities before just "doing" them? I hate to see the boys coming back all sore and tired because they were so unprepared. I don't think they really enjoy doing things this way as much as they would if they were prepared. I would appreciate your comments about this practice. Thank you.ANSWER: Endurance events such as a 35-mile bike ride or 50-mile walk really do require some preparation. Trying to do these activities without preparing beforehand would be like trying to run a marathon without prior training; it just can't be done successfully and safely. I'm sure that your experience with regard to Scouting and other youth activities is not so different from the experience of many other parents.
Last August I wrote two articles on training for a marathon. The principles involved would apply very well to your current problem. The difference is that those preparing for a marathon are usually already running on a regular basis and only need to increase the distance to get ready. According to the research I read, only a few of the younger generation have any kind of formal exercise program going. Because of this, I think that it would be important to begin planning for any major endurance-type activity one to two months in advance so that the entire troop (or group) could build up the needed endurance to do the activity safely.
Let's take the 35-mile bike ride as an example. The leader could begin by having someone give a seminar on cycling, covering topics such as proper tuning and maintenance of the bike, safety considerations, riding techniques, training, etc. This could be followed by one or two rides as a group to put the information into practice using shorter distances (5 miles or so).
A training schedule could then be given to each Scout to give them an idea of how much mileage they needed to ride each week in preparation for the trip. The training program would suggest riding at least three days a week, beginning at a moderate level (about 5-7 miles) and increasing each week until the rider was averaging 10-15 miles a training session. A longer ride could be scheduled on Saturdays to allow the group to experience the increased stress of endurance riding. After four to six weeks, a 35-mile bike ride would be relatively easy and really fun, and the youngsters would learn something about planning and training as they prepared.
The same principles should be used for the 50/20. Have each Scout (and dad) begin walking three to four miles a day, three to four times a week and increase the mileage each week with a longer walk as a group on Saturday. Within six to eight weeks, the group could do the 50/20 easily and safely and learn something about "being prepared" at the same time.