Essex River Beginner Trip

[Kevin B (RPS Coach)]

Anyone know what's going on with the above referenced trip? It's posted on the calendar with no contact info or additional details. Given that's scheduled for next weekend, just thought I'd bring it up.

[EEL]

>Anyone know what's going on with the above referenced trip?

Perhaps time for a few S&G postings? I must confess that after taking a few of the Leadership Classes I am more reluctant to post a S&G trip which is perhaps a testament to the the training and the awareness it instilled.

Ed Lawson

[Kevin B (RPS Coach)]

Ed,

Not quite sure I see your point in re SNGs. Yes, the leadership modules would expose the participants to the nature of the risks and responsibilities of leading a trip; however, the whole point of the leaderless (in a formal sense) SNG is that each participant is responsible for himself or herself. That being said, I'm not sure why you would be reluctant to post SNGs.

[Bill Gwynn]

Hi Ed,

S&G's, or "Private Trips" as we now call them, typically fall into a category called "The Common Adventure Model". For more information on this trip model, go here:

http://www.isu.edu/outdoor/CADefine.htm

It is a very long paper to read, but contains some interesting and insightful information that can be applied to your Private Trips.

[EEL]

>For more information on this trip model, go here:

>http://www.isu.edu/outdoor/CADefine.htm

>It is a very long paper to read, but contains some

>interesting and insightful information

Many thanks for the link. A very good read indeed and articulates well a view with which I tend to be in snych.

Ed Lawson

[EEL]

>however, the whole point of the leaderless (in a formal

>sense) SNG is that each participant is responsible for

>himself or herself.

While this is basically true, the reality is when things go bad someone needs to make quick decisions, direct others, and take prompt action. I'm not big on leading; but I can be decisive. However, the training has given me pause about my skill level to be able to do the right thing at the right time which in turn makes me think twice about posting S&G trips. Mostly because I see them as a "Never been there, but could be fun/good/adventure. Want to join?" events as opposed to taking people on a route I am familiar with. OTOH, perhaps most who go on S&G trips are more experienced and independent so there will likely be skillsets if needed. Hope this explains my comment.

Ed Lawson

[djlewis]

Not to discourage private trips, especially S&G's, but the other thing to think about besides your own ability to help in a situation is your companions' skills and leadership, should ~you~ get in a jam.

That's not simply a matter of conditions over your head -- which you can largely avoid on a day trip by careful planning. What if you get sick or injured? What if a boomer dumps you and you lose your boat in 15 kt offshore winds (= boat heading for Portugal). Do your companions have the skill, judgement and equipment to handle things and get you out of a spot?

Just some thoughts -- it's all about margins.

--David.

[Walter]

I asked Patty Phelan the trip leader about the status and she indicated that the float plan was filed but she has not been informed about its status.

Thus nothing has been posted.

It is to bad as this is probably one of the few trips that NSPN has that is a level 2 and local.

Walter

Impex Assateague

[Dee Hall]

It appears that there has been some confusion among our leaders about which e-mail address to send a float plan to for approval. Hopefully, this has been cleared up.

-Dee