KHC Hike Leaders Program
Some brief notes that came from a meeting of Hike Leaders this week:
- A program for recruitment and support for hike leaders has been started. This includes workshops, events, recognition, communications, and adjustments to policies and procedures.
- Four key hike leaders have been unable (illness, surgery, travel, winter break) to organize KHC events at the same time that we had 70 new members, which created a bit of a “logjam” of full events. Two of the four will be back in action in 2 weeks and the other 2 in March. More hike leaders means more event spaces and we expect things to normalize by April. In the meantime, check the site daily for new events or cancellations, and be sure to get out on your own between booked events to maintain your fitness.
- The Peaks Series was reviewed, adjusted, and supported.
- A mentorship/apprentice program has been established to develop more leaders over time (more details tba).
- The Hike Leaders Group will connect with individual new members to help with them with “learning the ropes”, as needed.
- The Hike Leaders Group would like to make the Club’s position very clear. It is the responsibility of the member/participant to ensure that he/she reads the listing carefully, adequately prepares for the event (Ten Essentials), is fit enough for the proposed event, and is medically ready for an event in the backcountry (info). It is not the volunteer hike leader’s responsibility to check into all those personal details with each participant. That would make the job impossible and unpalatable.
- The Guests Policy has been reviewed and some clarification will be added – Link.
- More radios have been purchased and provided to leaders. A radios policy/procedure will be drafted.
- All members will be asked to insert a card in a ziploc into the top compartment of their daypacks. The card would have the following information – name, emergency contact name and phone number, medical info (if applicable) and anything that would be relevant in case of an emergency or injury. This will now become an expectation of all members.
- Training for new backpackers is in the planning stages.
- Our thanks to Carole Pugle and Katherine Roberts for their leadership roles with our Hike Leaders.
Latest posts by Doug Smith (see all)
- Kamloops Hiking Club - September 5, 2021
- March 2021 KHChronicles - March 20, 2021
- February 2021 KHChronicles - February 20, 2021