The Cancer Survivor Trek At Philmont By: webmaster

This post comes from Steve Miller, Tour Leader, The Cancer Survivor Trek. The Trek is open to youth, both male and female, that have survived cancer and meet the Philmont requirements. There are only 8 slots available, and there are no expenses for the youth to attend. For more information check out their website at http://www.cancersurvivortrek.org

There are many things I learned while being treated for cancer. One is what my parents called stubbornness when I was a youngster, that I now call perseverance; the unwillingness to give up. Over the years I have learned when “to hold em and when to fold em”, but I have never given up. My favorite shirt depicts a stork swallowing a frog. The frog is inside the stork’s mouth and the legs are all that is protruding. The front legs with opposing toes have a firm grasp around the stork’s neck. So as long as the frog does not let go, he lives. If he lets go, he dies. I once won a wrestling match just by holding on and not letting go until the buzzer went off.

Another thing I learned is what I am being called to do with my life now that I have been blessed to be in remission. I was sitting at the closing campfire of a 10-day backpacking trek in Cimarron, New Mexico. My son’s Boy Scout Troop was fortunate enough to be selected to trek across the backcountry of Philmont Scout Ranch in 2009 and I was lucky enough to be one of the advisors. As I sat at the campfire pondering some words that were shared with us the previous evening I realized that Philmont is indeed a special place and is special to all those who visit, each for a different reason. It was at that point that I realized, I knew what I needed to do. There are other cancer survivors that enjoy the outdoors and they should have the opportunity to have their own Philmont experience. I would help provide that opportunity.

The 2011 Cancer Survivor Trek is open to youth, both male and female, that have survived cancer and meet the Philmont requirements. An underlying purpose is to let these youth re-establish themselves. Even though they have fought a tremendous battle and came out on top, this adventure will show them they can still do fun, challenging, and exciting things in spite of what they have been through

http://www.cancersurvivortrek.org

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The Cancer Survivor Trek At Philmont
@Denise Rainier on 01/27/2012

I came across this today and have to say THANK YOU for making this awesome opportunity available to the youth. I am a cancer survivor and completed an 80-mile trek in 2009 (at the age of 51). I undertook the trek a mere 3.5 months after completing 3 months of intense chemo and radiation therapy. I did it all under my own power and through sheer determination, I DID IT!!! This trek was a milestone in my 12 years of Scouting involvement and is one of my most significant Scouting memories. This trek played a pivotal role in my emotional recovery from Scouting. You don't know what you are made of until you face adversity. Just go for it, and keep on encouraging us "survivors."