Week Two Wilderness School Staff Training

The training finished Thursday night. What a filled two weeks it has been!!

We spent two day of this week on the water. For Monday we were on a relatively low rapid flow river as a tune up and refresher for the returning staff and a full introduction for the newbies. I had not canoed in years but it was like I never forgot how to do it. That stand-up paddle board adventure of April in SC helped a lot.

Wednesday got interesting as the release flow from the dam kicked the Greenfield River up several notches. It challenged the group's skills but was still within safety limits. We even got to run an unexpected Boat Over Drill when our canoe got caught broadside on a large rock and flipped. Cold water sure can wake you up.

Much of the week was built around procedures and policies workshops. It has been interesting to see the staff come together as they discussed and planned responses to the leaders questions. It is interesting how much experience is contained in this staff when you consider that they are all seasonal. There are multi-year veterans on hand.

At the close of staff training, Aaron opened the Appreciation Box. Staff members contribute words of appreciation for fellow staff members. A book could be written just from these comments. It is a testament to the fact that kinds acts, words, deeds do not go unseen.