Three days until session two and the first Ranger trip of the summer! Ranger directors Sam, Meg, James and Paul have been preparing for a fabulous adventure! A lot more goes into the preparation for Rangers than you might think. We have spent the last three weeks organizing this summer’s Ranger trips. Between planning meals, sorting packs and supplies, reviewing the trail and river course, and renewing necessary certifications we have been very busy!
We have updated the meals we take on the trail and river according to previous campers’ feedback. We got rid of unpopular and unhealthy meals and added some vegetarian options. We made sure all of the equipment is in working condition; we set up tents, tested camping stoves and water filters, and brushed up on our canoe strokes. We now know the trail and river like the backs of our hands; we have found the best water sources and campsites, and know which tricky spots to watch out for. Along with basic prep, we have all taken wilderness first aid, canoeing skills, and lifeguarding/CPR courses. A wilderness first aid course teaches the application of basic first aid skills with minimal equipment while at least three hours away from help. This ensures that we are prepared should the worst happen, though we hope that it will not (knock wood).
Although we have been focusing on the necessary Ranger logistics, rest assured we did not forget the FUN! We have a few co-ed surprises that may or may not involve the Ocky Waterfront and a bonfire. There will be plenty of time for song singing, plaque decorating, friendship building that will last a lifetime, gaga, and long awaited showers.
Meg is very excited to be joining the Ranger staff this year. She took the trip as a camper in the summer of 2006 and has dreamed of being a director ever since. Hiking about 35 miles and canoeing over 40 miles is a steep challenge. Once she accomplished that goal, she set her sights on higher and higher adventures. Although Sam has successfully completed nine Ranger trips, each one holds a special place in her heart. She looks forward to watching how the trip shapes each group of girls and how the girls shape it into their own. All in all, we look forward to a successful, fun-filled summer of Rangering, and we hope you are too!
<3 Sam & Meg