GTS
Planning efforts for the Guides
Training Seminar (gts) land and river sessions have begun in earnest.
We’re busily sending out speaker invitations, coordinating with
the Park Service and thinking up new and creative ways to make those events
even more enriching and beneficial for the participants.
For the gts Land Session, in addition to the top-notch interpretive training
in the cultural, natural and human history of Grand Canyon (not to mention
park issues and the political issues shaping the future of the Colorado),
we are supplementing the event with a Health Fair sponsored by the Whale
Foundation. We applaud their idea of offering “triage and referral”
services to working guides. They’ll be able to do blood pressure
and skin screenings. They’ll also provide referrals and vouchers
for mammograms, prostate checks and cholesterol screenings at labs in
Flagstaff and Page. Activities may include a physical therapy session
and information on financial planning. What more could you ask for? You
will be actively learning information that helps you in your profession
while learning how to take care of yourself. We’ll take care of
you, mind and body!
We also have some wonderful plans for the gts river session. In addition
to the regular flotilla of a motor rig (provided by crate), paddle rafts,
oar boats and a dory or two, we may also bring along some historic boats
(but we promise not to subject you to the sweep scow). Just think how
it would feel to row one of these beauties! As most of you know, the gts
river trip takes the interpretive aspect of the land session and puts
it on the water so that working guides can learn “in situ.”
Experiential learning at its best. The gts river session is the only entirely
cooperative training trip around, theoretically incorporating guides from
all commercial companies. We have been thrilled that guides representing
approximately ten outfitters have participated the last few years. Aside
from the wonderful interpretive training, the benefits that past participants
have expressed most frequently are the opportunities for networking and
interaction with guides from other companies, and the resultant camaraderie
built on a shared experience. You can’t beat it.
In addition to fabulous speakers, we will also be working to make the
trip more fully participatory in a number of ways. We recognize that mentorship
(less experienced guides learning from more experienced guides) is probably
the best learning tool around for both the intangibles of guiding as well
as interpretive training. There is an incredible wealth of knowledge in
the guiding community just waiting to be tapped and we intend to do just
that! We will also ensure that guide participants have the opportunity
to pilot/row/paddlecaptain during the trip. In other words, we will encourage
rotating duties during the course of the trip so that all guides can gain
experience. Running a boat with coaching from an experienced guide on
board will provide an incredibly valuable learning experience. Learning
by doing is key. Consequently, the 2004 gts river trip will be more well-rounded,
incorporating training in both interpretive skills and river skills as
well.
Lastly, we’ve changed the lower half of the river trip a bit to
add two more days so that the entire trip can take out at the Lake. Normally
we take out at Diamond Creek, but this seems like a good opportunity to
expand our horizons in additional ways. We’d like to take the time
to learn more about that stretch below Diamond Creek—maybe explore
Columbine Falls and other key spots along the way, while certainly experiencing
the new, but strange, rapid at Pierce and the changing sediment dynamics
of the Lake.
We’ll be sending the gts postcard (sign up) to guides in December
or January, so look for it in the mail! The gts land session is open to
the general public. We encourage you to sign up in advance (so that we
can get a handle on numbers).
To encourage this we will offer
a discount to those of you who sign up by March 1. For the river session,
first priority will be given to guides sponsored by an outfitter, then
to all interested guides and trainees who have trips for the 2003 season.
If you want to be sponsored by your outfitter, start talking to them now!
If you’re not sponsored, send in the application, a check (which
we’ll hold until we determine if you’re eligible), and a letter
or resume with your background. Tell us who you are and why you should
go. This will help us with our participant selection process. Guides may
choose from the upper or lower sessions (or both if we have room). Guides
on the upper half will participate in a clean-up of the gcrg Adopt-a-Highway
stretch of road between Marble Canyon and Vermillion Cliffs after the
rig on March 29.
So here’s the deal. Write down these dates, tell your friends, and
start making plans!
Food Handler’s Class
Date: Friday, March 26th, 2004. 10 a.m.— 2 p.m.
Place: Old Marble Canyon Lodge (Marble Canyon, az)
Contact: Marlene Gaither, Coconino County
Environmental Health at (928) 226-2710 or email her at mgaither@co.coconino.az.us
to sign up.
Gcrg Spring Meeting
Date: Friday, March 26, 2004 (starts at 3 p.m.)
Place: Old Marble Canyon Lodge (Marble Canyon, az)
Discussion of: Gcrg board nominations, crmp, conservation issues, etc….
Dinner and party follow at Hatchland afterwards. Come and offer your ideas!
Gts Land Session
Dates: March 27–28, 2004 (8 a.m. to whenever)
Place: Hatch River Expeditions warehouse, Marble Canyon, az
Lodging: On your own (camping, or staying at one of the local lodges)
Cost: $35 (covers food for the weekend) or $30 if you sign up by March
1
Note: If you’re sponsored by an outfitter, please sign up and we’ll
bill them later.
Bring: a camp chair, a mug, dress warmly and in layers and plan on staying
for the weekend!
Gts River Session
Upper Half Dates: March 30–April 5, 2004 (Lees Ferry to Phantom
Ranch)
Cost for Upper Half: $165
Lower Half Dates: April 5–15, 2004 (Phantom Ranch to Lake Mead)
Cost for Lower Half: $185
Note: If you’re sponsored by an outfitter, please sign up and we’ll
bill them later.
Requirement: The river session is open to guides/ trainees with work for
the 2004 river season.
Lynn Hamilton
Executive Director
