Leadership/Outdoorsmanship, The Preserve, Thursday Morning

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

Admiral Harrington stood in the center of the handwavily designated clearing. She was not, however, wearing the formal black-and-gold of her Manticoran uniform. Somewhere along the way, she had unearthed a pair of digital-print BDU pants, combat boots, a tee-shirt, and a tactical vest. Nimitz hovered in his usual position on her shoulder, eyes attentive.

Around the clearing, several areas have been set up. Everything from fully-pitched tents to small piles of refuse are visible. Two carafes rested on a folding table nearby, with reuseable mugs. One contained coffee, the other, hot chocolate. If anyone wanted more than that, they were on their own.

"Good morning," she said. "I know it’s a bit early for some of you, so we’ll start things slowly. We’ll start by going around and allowing everyone to introduce themselves."

All introductions aside a few moments later, Honor settled in to lecture mode. "This class, as you may have guessed, is going to provide an overview of outdoorsmanship while providing a testing ground for your leadership abilities. Opportunities will not always present themselves, so be on the lookout for your time to shine.

"That being said, we’ll be taking a look at some very basic information as well. Such as today," she continued. "Today, we’ll be discussing the seven principles of ‘Leave No Trace.’"

Honor reached behind her and powered up a display device. An image appeared and hovered over the ground. "Leave No Trace is a program, started in ... 1987 ... as an outgrowth of preservation concerns by the United States Forestry Service, the United States National Park Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. It is now a far-reaching program, spanning much farther than I believe was ever intended.

"There are seven basic tenets to Leave No Trace:

Plan Ahead and Prepare

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Dispose of Waste Properly (Pack It In, Pack It Out)

Leave What You Find

Minimize Campfire Impacts

Respect Wildlife

Be Considerate of Other Visitors

..."


She continued the lecture, hitting the high points and moving through the material as quickly as she dared while still getting the point across.

"Behind me, you will see six stations that Andrew, Mac, and I have set up. You’ll now be divided up into two groups. One person from each group will be the recorder," Honor said, holding up two minicomps and styluses. Her left arm might not have straightened as far as her right. "Each recorder will make notes on the discussions in group. Once you’ve completed the circuit of the stations, we’ll meet again for a few minutes to discuss the results.

"Directions are given at each station. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask."

She passed out the group assignments, eyeing each new student warily. "All right. You have your assignments. Let's be about it, ladies and gentlemen."

With that, they were loose. Hopefully they were wise enough to know they were being watched.

Group 1
Peter Pevensie
Pip Bernadette
Liz Weir
Alanna Trebond
Dean Winchester
Tim Desmond

Group 2
Bel/Cole Turner
Ainsley Hayes
Anders
Sawyer Ford
Peter Parker
Pippi Longstocking


[OCD-ness achieved. Have at!

Also, may or may not be able to post on Wednesday night every week. I will, however, get the 'shops up as quickly as possible.]

Comments

Introductions

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

"I'll get things going." Honor smiled. Her hand came to rest flat against her breastbone as she indicated herself. "Admiral Harrington. I'm a career naval officer, currently on medical leave. When you address me, I answer to 'Admiral,' 'Professor,' and 'ma'am.' You might hear my guardsmen and steward refer to me as 'Your Grace,' or 'My Lady.'" She shook her head with a weary smile. "You're not expected to know those forms of address."

"This," she continued, reaching up and tugging gently at Nimitz's ear, "is Nimitz, a 'treecat' from my home. As the name suggests, he and others like him are arboreal creatures. Thus, he really prefers to be hovering over my shoulder so he can keep a close eye on all of you."

Re: Introductions

[demonbelthazor]

Bel kept things simple. "Belthazor," he said.

Re: Introductions

[cyclopeanmerc.livejournal.com]

Pip stood up. "I'm Pip Bernadette. I'm the latest in a long line of mercenaries, stretching back for like... a gazillion generations. I was raised by a mercenary company and I'm from like... everywhere, but France originally."

He grinned a little.

Re: Introductions

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

"Alanna Trebond. Just turned eighteen and totally forgot about my birthday. I'm training to be a knight."

Re: Introductions

[conathon.livejournal.com]

Sawyer stood and glanced around the group, "Sawyer." a pause, "Or as the teachers know me: James Ford. Tennessee born n' raised." a small smile before sitting back down.

Re: Introductions

[strongestgirl.livejournal.com]

"Pippi Longstocking. My family is firmly rooted in a maritime tradition. Pirates Mostly. My family is from Sweden, and I've lived there myself most recently, but before that the open sea was my home."

Re: Introductions

[blondrepublican.livejournal.com]

Ainsley is more than a little intimidated by both her instructor, her pet, and her classmates.

She raised a hand in a little wave when her turn came.

"Hi, I'm Ainsley Hayes, I'm from Raleigh, North Carolina and my family is...Republican?"

Re: Introductions

[peter--parker.livejournal.com]

"I'm Peter Parker, age sixteen, from New York," Peter said. That should cover the basics.

Re: Introductions

[once-a-king.livejournal.com]

Peter stood up and bowed. "I'm Peter Pevensie. I'm 16. I'm originally British."

Re: Introductions

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

"Elizabeth Weir," she began. "Uh, originally from Connecticut, but more recently Washington DC and Colorado Springs."

Re: Introductions

[saltandammo.livejournal.com]

"Dean Winchester," Dean introduced himself. "I'm from Kansas, but we move around a lot. Family business is hunting demons and ghosts and stuff and you gotta go where the evil is."

Re: Introductions

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

"Anders," he said simply. "I'm from Delphi on the planet Caprica, I play Pyramid, I'm signed to a pro contract when I get out of school, and . . . that's all, really."

Group 1

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

[Get organized here.]

Re: Group 1

[cyclopeanmerc.livejournal.com]

Pip stood off and nodded to the group one people as he lit a cigarette. "So, who's got the best handwriting to be recorder?"

Group 2

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

[Get organized here.]

Re: Group 2

[demonbelthazor]

Bel checked out the list of names and rolled his eyes.

Re: Group 2

[conathon.livejournal.com]

Just what Sawyer needed: to be in a the same group as that freak Bel. He sighed heavily and stood slightly aloof from the group.

Re: Group 2

[strongestgirl.livejournal.com]

Pippi flounced up to her group.

"Hello all!" she said cheerfully.

"Who want's to be the recorder?"

Station 1 - Plan Ahead and Prepare

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

The following gear is spread out across a sizeable picnic table: tent, stove, sleeping bag, ax, map, compass, wool/synthetic clothes, cotton clothes, canned food, bagged food. Students should discuss what is the best gear for minimal-impact camping, and what should be left at home.

Re: Station 1 - Plan Ahead and Prepare - Group 1

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

...

Re: Station 1 - Plan Ahead and Prepare - Group 2

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

...

Station 2 - Properly Dispose of What You Can't Pack Out

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

At this station, the following objects are left out: orange peel, apple core, piece of oatmeal, coffee grounds, cigarette butt, written cards with the words: urine, fecal matter; as well as three boxes, labelled "bury", "disperse", and "pack it out." Students should dig a cathole and cathole trench. Discuss when each method of human waste disposal is appropriate. Each group should place each prop or card in the corresponding box and then discuss why they chose each one.

Re: Station 2 - Properly Dispose of What You Can't Pack Out - Group 1

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

...

Station 3 - Pack it in, Pack it out

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

Here, an airline tag off a backpack, a piece of oatmeal, some lint, and a twist tie are left out. These items have been scattered about camp, and the students must find them. Discuss why garbage should or should not be buried.

Re: Station 3 - Pack it in, Pack it out - Group 1

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

...

Station 4 - Leave What You Find

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

A large screen is set up here, no external powersource immediately visible. On it, there are different actions listed: traveling in small groups, bringing a radio, using binoculars, taking pictures, digging trenches, taking home artifacts, making lean-tos, chasing wildlife. Beside each, there are two check boxes -- "right" and "wrong." Students should choose which actions are appropriate, and what impact these actions might have on the environment around them.

Re: Station 4 - Leave What You Find - Group 1

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

...

Final Group - Discussion and Fires

[harringtongreen.livejournal.com]

In the time that students have been completing the groups, Professor Harrington has started a campfire with her firesteel, lint, and small kindling. Students are encouraged to discuss their findings amongst themselves.

Discussions should also cover when fires are appropriate, when they should be avoided, as well as what fuel and tools are needed for burning and covering.

Re: Final Group - Discussion and Fires

[demonbelthazor]

"I come with my own fire starting equipment," Bel said with a grin, bouncing a fireball in his hand.