MBC Foray
	Field Trip Leader Guidelines

Revised April 13, 2008  
Note that the name and e-mail of the field trip facilitator and the foray booklet editor need to be inserted into the final copy.

You were selected to lead this/these field trip(s) because of your expertise, and we would like to help you to optimize the outing.

With that in mind, a  field trip facilitator (a club member, to be appointed later or insert name & e-mail here?) will help you with some of the logistics (see Foray field trip facilitator guide Apr.12.2008) such as getting the group assembled for departure and bringing up the tail end.  This will allow you to concentrate on the main  issues such as explaining what the group will see and then leading the excursion.  You can of course chose your own facilitator if you have preferences; however, please let inform the field trip coordinator.

When the participants register at the foray hotel site, they will receive a foray booklet with some general physiographical and botanical information on the area.   We need from you a little more information (e.g., general informaion, map and directions) than we provide in the intial announcement of your field trip(s) and the others in the spring issue of the MBC Newsletter, the Arisaema.  This is also a good time to specify special needs on the actual outing (e.g., boots, insect repellant).  Please send your informtion directly to the booklet editor (name, e-mail); that person will be able to advise you on details.   The description will be black and white and should fit into half of a page. Sometimes, the simplest guide is just looking at an old foray booklet.   If possible, we would like to include a map and directions to your site since some members may want to access sites after the Foray.  Also, if you'd like to make changes to the description of your excursion, add an illustration, etc. this is your opportunity.  Usually, the foray booklet has to be assembled by two weeks before the Foray.  

The activity level of your trip should be estimated in your trip description.  The Foray participants vary from children to people with mobility limitations, and we try to provide  trips requiring a range of activity levels; however,  some trips may be too demanding for some foray participants.  Obviously, even if someone can handle most of th trip demands, they may pass on clambering up clif face or down into mud, and that dcould be accomodated.

Once you are out on the trail, it is very important that you not lose the tail end of your group.  When you want to show show or explain something, please gather your group around you.  In sensitive areas where we are confined to a naroow trail, this can require some special effort. The facilitator can help, but ultimately, this is up to you the leader.

We greatly appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge with the group.  You will find a very enthusiastic audience, and your efforts will have a wise impact.