The WHY's of Planning.
Peter Van Houten (peterva@QM.WV.TEK.COM)
Sun, 23 Jan 1994 14:39:34 -0800
The WHY's of Planning.
This weekend our pack had an exceptionally fun activity up on Mt. Hood
tubing. However, I can attest that several packs didn't have the same amount
of fun. Why? They didn't check out the availability of the area prior to
arriving. You see, our pack is so large that we reserved the entire tubing
area for our pack. We made the necessary arrangements in advance and paid
the appropriate deposits. When we arrived everything was setup for us...the
tubes were ready, we had a shelter, first aid station with an EMT-2 on sight,
everything for a lot of fun. They even had a sign out that stated : OPEN
ONLY TO CUB SCOUTS - MUST PROVIDE PACK NUMBER!
Because we had reserved (and paid for) the entire area, I know of 4 packs (as
well as several church youth groups and general public) that showed up
expecting to tube, but couldn't because they didn't check it out in advance.
Everyone of those boys were disappointed and their parents upset because the
person in charge didn't make a phone call to make sure it was open to the
public. I know I'd be upset if I showed up after driving 1.5 hours to find
out it was closed to the public that day!
One leader said they had made reservations, but what we found out in talking
discussing the problem, was they had filed a tour permit. If anything can
come from this, I'd like it to be:
1) Never Assume that because you have a tour permit that you have a
reservation, or a 'Right' to be somewhere. It is only a piece of paper that
states that the Council knows about the activity. It is YOUR responsibility
as a leader to check availability prior to arriving.
2) ALWAYS....phone ahead and make sure you're expected! NEVER Assume...even
if you've only got 8 kids, that you'll be able to use a facility JUST because
you're scouts!
3) This is the final one! Even when faced with a impossible situation be
courteous! You may find out that the one in charge may work with you. Point
in case....I let one pack join in with ours (we had some extra space) because
the leader approached me and we discussed the situation as adults and worked
out a solution that would allow for both packs to win. They paid us for the
space, which would have been a loss to us, and they got to tube. Another
pack leader (who actually approached me before the one) got mad at me for
reserving the whole area, and that they had as much "RIGHT" to be on the
mountain as we did. [Answer: Yes they did have as much RIGHT, but being that
the area was a PRIVATE enterprise, and we were paying for the usage He could
be on the mountain....he just couldn't tube.] They went home with upset
parents.
For us...planning on this activity started six months ago, when we completed
our annual planning converence. The date was set and I was selected to be
the one in charge of this activity. I contacted the organization that won
the lease for the area and worked directly with the owners in making sure
everything was perfect for our pack.
Planning is the KEY to success! Done right you'll have a great program!
In Scouting . . .
Peter
Peter Van Houten / E-Mail:
peter_van_houten.techsupport@qm.wv.tek.com
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
