From: R Fisher (ghotier@texas.net)
Date: Sun Mar 10 2002 - 11:51:45 CST
Txnscout@aol.com wrote:
> As soon as your crew gets their trek confirmed, it is time for a crew
> meeting. The scouts in my crew knew the trails, water sources, and
> camps before we arrived in Philmont by studying the map. They also
> knew what days would be easy, and what days would be tough, based on
> elevation change, and distance. When we arrived at logistics the crew
> leader was prepared . . .
IMO this is a key point - the Crew Leader should be prepared when you
get to Logistics.
The Crew Leader should also be the one asking the questions and getting
the information. Once your crew steps off the bus or out of the van,
the Crew Leader should be in charge and should be the "go to" person for
details about the trek.
Having said that, I would suggest that the crew review their anticipated
route, but the crew advisor and crew leader might want to spend some
time prior to the meeting looking at things like alternate routes,
program possibilities (including "double dipping" on alternate routes),
potential problems (having to make a side trip to PJ to pick up food
when going from Abreu to Apache Springs for instance), tough days, short
days, etc. etc. This lets the crew leader look like s/he knows what's
going on when you have your crew meeting. It also gives the crew leader
some information on things that the crew might need to consider in their
planning. This preview can also come in handy on the trail. Sometimes
the plan might need to be modified because of things like weather,
fatigue, injury or changing conditions. Coop's crew's changes as a
result of the bear conditions on their last trek comes to mind.
The crew advisor and crew leader can also get together and discuss
things that need to be resolved in Logistics. Using our crew as an
example, one of the things we had discussed was an alternative food pick
up that would eliminate carrying a 12 meal packages over Mt. Phillips.
Also by knowing where our "slack times" were, our crew leader was in a
better position to know which Conservation project option was most
desirable.
A final note. In the planning phases, I tried not to "leak" too much
information to the crew. That way there was some "mystery" about the
trek. It's great to be prepared, but it's also great to experience a
sense of discovery on the trail.
Happy Trails,
Roy Fisher
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