Tyler
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Goal of the Flying Cloud Adventure Program
In spirit of the Farm and Wilderness Community, and of Flying Cloud, our trip program's goal is to affirm and promote the Flying Cloud ethos. Living in simplicity, respect for the land, and community strength are to be extended beyond camp and into a larger Wilderness Community. As campers of Flying Cloud, you are charged with the responsibility of upholding and exemplifying the Flying Cloud ethos as ambassadors to a larger Wilderness Community. Our goal as counselors is to create a fun and exciting atmosphere where campers are encoured to explore the wilderness, appreciate the beauty of nature, and become significantly aware of the impact humans have in Wilderness Environments. It is in this spirit that we invite you to both grow as an individual and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood in the Flying Cloud Community. As mentors to the campers, it is our job to foster an environment where such individual growth and community building take place while in the Wilderness. The ultimate goal of the Flying Cloud Adventure Program is to give both campers and counselors to share in common experiences in the Wilderness and to return to the Flying Cloud Community with a stronger understanding of the magic that takes place throughout the summer.
Responsibility of the Camper
The first role of the campers in the Wilderness is to augment their Flying Cloud experience and have a positive experience on the trail. Campers are the ambassadors of Flying Cloud and the Farm and Wildernes Community to the outside world. What you do on the trail reflects Farm and Wilderness as a whole. Campers are also responsible for recognizing their physical and emotional limits while on the trail. Our program is designed to reflect a diverse array of abilities and we encourage you to challenge yourself, but not to take on too much. Know yourself and be honest in how you decide which trip you want to go on. Campers should understand that the role of the counselor is to encourage exploration and adventure, within limits. Always make sure you counselor knows where you are, and the rule of three extends onto the trail. Lastly, the camper should have as much fun as they can. The Flying Cloud Adventure Program is desinged to enhance your Flying Cloud experience, and we encourage campers to enjoy themselves as much as possible. This is a great time to get to know new people, as well as an opportunity to interact counselors in a new environment.
Responsibility of the Counselor
Counselors are responsible for successful trips. You are responsible for creating an environment that allows campers to engage with each other, the experience, and you while maintaining professionalism with regard to your responsibilities for each camper. The Quartermaster assigns your trip's group gear and food; it is your responsibility to make sure all of the gear is in working order and that your food meets the dietary needs of the campers on your trip. Campers look to you as examples for how to act and because we encourage campers to have fun and explore you should do the same. However, the counselor should be aware of all of the risks involved when considering a specific activity. Counselors are responsible for the physical and emotional well-being of the campers, which translates to frequent water breaks, snacks, and if need be, interventions when conflicts arise.
Long Trail/Little Rock Pond Hiking Trip
In this trip, students will spend 4 days and 3 nights hiking in the White Mountains on the Long Trail starting at the Little Rock Pond trailhead. The first night will be at Little Rock Pond. We'll arrive somethime in the early afternoon and will have time to go swimming and exploring around the area of our campsite. The next day will be an easy 6 mile hike near the White Rocks area, with a popular and wonderful overlook of the valley below. Our final day of hiking will involve a moderate 16 mile hike in which you'll experience some interesting and pleasant suprises along the trail. Our last day will be spent enjoying a leisurely morning of food and swimming at Clarendon Gorge as we wait for our van pickup.
Trip Specific Information/ Logistics
A moderate amount of hiking is involved in this trip, the physical demands might exclude younger or inexperienced hikers from the trip. We're going to have a lot of opportunities to swim and be around water, therefore, you should also be a strong swimmer and not need to use a PFD, you did pass your swimmer's test, right? Counselors need to be Life Guard certified and required to know the Farm and Wilderness waterfront protocols for safety; you also need to bring the necessary equipment. This trip will take place during the first half of the summer (likely week 3 into camp).
Instructors, as you've noticed our schedule is rather vague. As the trip coordinator I'm here to tell you that this is purposeful. We (the Directors and I) feel that trips are an excellent opportunity for you and the campers on your trip to create your own itinerary. The only information you need to know is where to be and when to be there in order for your trip to get picked up. The day before trips go out you will meet with your campers and have the afternoon activity slot (3 hours) to talk about the trip and plan what you want to do (as well as some group games). Use this time effectively so you have some understanding of what you and your campers' expectations are for the trip. Also, you will be required to check in with either a Director, Assistant Director, or Trip Coordinator and give them a rundown of your itinerary
Although you do not need any camping permits, you will need money to spend the night at the Little Rock Pond campsite. It is 5 dollars per person per night; this is the only area on the trip where you need to pay to stay in a campground. All of the other shelters are free of charge (though we do encourage you to sign any notebooks you find in the shelters, it'll give the kids something to do as an evening activity). While you can stay in a shelter every night, be aware of AT and Long Trail Hikers; they have priority (you will also have tarps included in group gear).
Shelters to Stay at:
Little Rock Pond Campsite (1st Night; there are shelters in the area, but if you want to be right by the lake then we recommend this site in addition to boat loads of insect repellent)
Greenwall Shelter (2nd night; 4.7 miles from Little Rock Pond)
Minerva Shelter (good for lunch on a rainy day; 4.5 miles from Greenwall Shelter)
Clarendon Shelter (3rd night; 2.6 from Minerva)
Trip total: 13.8 Miles (includes distance to Little Rock Pond from Trailhead)
Individual's will be responsible for their personal gear, but if they do not have the necessary equipment needed then please see the trip coordinator (that would be me) for a list of items individual's need and we can check with Saltash Mountain camp to see if they have extra gear. Group gear will assigned to you using the ingenuous system I developed that cuts pack-out down to a 10 minute process (yes that's right, 10 minutes). Once your group has all the personal gear accounted for, AND NOT PACKED IN BAGS, come to the food shelter, get the trash can full of group gear/food and begin packing your packs.
Personal Gear List:
_ Summer Hat (wide brimmed, light)
_ 2 T-shirts
_ 1 Fleece Pullover
_ Rain Suit (include jacket and pants)
_ Long Underwear [Top/Bottom] (Yes, it is the summer, but this is also Vermont, anything can happen)
_ 3 pairs Underwear
_ Hiking Pants (we highly recommend pants with zip off legs that can be used as shorts)
_ Camp/Travel Pants (should only be worn in camp or while traveling)
_ 3 pairs Smartwool socks
_ 1 pair Hiking boots (must be water resistant or Goretex)
_ 1 pair Teva's/Choco's
_ 2 Nalgenes or 1 Camelback and 1 Nalgene
Optional:
_ Paper and pen
_ Knife
Group gear that is for personal use:
_ Pack Covers
Group gear will be assigned to your group, you will receive a checklist WITH your group gear in order to make sure you have everything (this will also include a meal menu and food item checklist); don't fret, I'm on top of things.
Travl Information
Yay, the nitty gritty shtuff you all love to hate, but hate no more! I've taken care of everything you need to know about travel information.
Once you efficiently get all of your group's personal and group gear into packs (make sure water bottle are filled too) one of the trip leaders who is certified at Farm and Wilderness to drive will get driving instructions from one of the Directors (seeing as we don't have access to the internet, they'll be the ones to get the road maps for each trip). The travel time from Flying Cloud to the trailhead is about 30 minutes. You are to leave the vehicle in the public overnight parking lot, where another staff member will pick it up the next morning. Leave on top of the left front tire, DO NOT TAKE THE KEY WITH YOU ON THE TRAIL.
The Green Mountain Club[1] produces a great map with a large overview of the long trail in addition to specific sections of the trail. The information will provide you with everything from points of interest and shelters to stay in at night. It is a great resource and will provide you with everthing you need in terms of maps. We will, however, include a laminated USGS topoquad in addition (you can also use this for teaching map and compass skills to the campers).
