Everybody loves outdoor activity, but not everybody able to organize a memorable outdoor programme.
“In order to know where you’re going, you’re going to need to know where you want to end up.”
Who is going on the trip? What adventure activity will we choose? Where will the trip take
place? When will the trip be held? Why are we going on this trip? How do we do everything that
needs to be done in order to plan a FUN, safe and challenging backcountry trip that both
leaders and participants enjoy? These questions form the basis for trip planning. The following
is a series of more specific questions that, when answered, will help establish trip details.
Leadership Team
● Who’s interested? Who’s available?
● Relevant and recent backcountry experience?
● Recent and relevant experience working with the age group of the participants?
● Current qualifications?
● Who has worked (tripped) together before as leaders?
● What are their leadership styles? Communication styles?
● Night Owls vs. Early Birds; Grazers vs. Meal-timers
● Health status (allergies, medical conditions that might be problematic in the backcountry)
● DIY (Do it yourself) vs. TPSP (Third Party Service Provider)
Can we do this? Should we do this? What’s my comfort level?
Participants
● Who’s interested? Who’s available?
● Relevant and recent backcountry experience? Current qualifications?
● Are there prerequisites in order to be considered for the trip?
● Do they know each other?
● Have they camped or tripped with each other?
● What are their learning styles? Communication styles?
● Health status (allergies, medical conditions that could be problematic in the backcountry)
● How much training and orientation will they require to be successful on the trip?
Support (Home Contact Person) Team
● Who’s interested?
● Who’s available?
● Are they always available and what’s Plan B?
● Have they been oriented as Support Personnel?
● How well do I know them?
● How well do they know me and my competencies and experience?
● Communication styles?
The What
● What’s the primary means of transport?
● What do we need (gear, knowledge, skills, etc.)
● What is the activity? What are we doing while on the trip?
● What’s plan B?
● What documentation is necessary pre-trip (authorization and approval), during the trip
and debriefing/report post-trip?
The Where
● Where will the trip start? Where will it finish?
● Where are you going to stay and camp on a day-by-day basis (trip/float plan)?
● Where are they ‘emergency exits’ along the way?
● Is where we’re going a controlled area or Crown Land (Cdn waters vs. intl waters)?
● What kind of climate is it? (marine, tundra, Canadian Shield, alpine)
● Are permits required? If so, what are the permit restrictions (size of group, numbers of
tents, cooking methods, etc.)?
● Are there fire restrictions or bans?
The When
● When are we going? For how long?
● What time of year is it?
● When do we need to leave home to be at the trailhead/put in on-time?
● Large group/small group (high vs. low and shoulder seasons by activity type)
● When do we need to acquire our permits?
● When do we need to communicate with our leadership team? With our home support
team? With our participants? With GGC? With the relevant parks/police authorities?
The Why
● Why do we want to do this trip (WIIFM – What’s In it for Me?)?
● Why does each of the participants want to do this trip?
● What are everyone’s trip expectations? (Are they only interested in how many kms. they
can log, or do they want to be able and stop and smell the roses along the way?)
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