Trip Leadership Workshop

March 2 - 4, 2007

News: This workshop now qualifies as OLT201 training for all overnight outing leaders!

Leading an activity section trip involves a lot more than just getting your first aid certificate and posting a notice in the chapter and section newsletters. A good trip requires planning, effective communication, and leadership in addition to activity specific skills.

On March 2 - 4, the Backpack Section will sponsor its eighth Trip Leadership Workshop at the Sierra Club Hiker's Hut in Sam MacDonald County Park. Instructors will include Backpack Section trip leaders and invited guest speakers. This workshop is recommended training for anyone who leads trips into remote areas, from day hiking on trails to multi-day treks cross-country. The Workshop will fulfill the new OLT201 training requirement for Sierra Club Level 2 Outings Leaders plus additional skills. This year's workshop topics include:

• Responsibilities of leaders and co-leaders
• Sierra Club policies and requirements
• Trip planning and permits
• Leadership on the trail
• Orienteering (land navigation)
• Leadership challenges
• Leader's horror stories
• Backcountry cuisine
• Dealing with emergencies
• Wilderness emergency communications
• Nature interpretation
• Leave No Trace

The Hiker's Hut is an hour's drive from most of the South Bay, and an easy 1.5 mile hike-in from the parking lot.

The event starts Friday evening with an almost full moon night-hike into the hut from the parking lot. (Full moon is on Saturday.) Team-building exercises begin on this hike. Saturday's training will consist of indoors, classroom sessions. Sunday's activities will include a day hike to practice newly-acquired leadership, docent, and navigation skills. The hike-out will be completed before sunset on Sunday. Though you may attend any part of the training, attendence for the entire duration is required for OLT201 certification.

Cost for the weekend including all course handouts is $40. Interested? For more information and to sign up, contact Steve Stearns at stearns @ ieee . org or (408) 531-2166.