fubar XJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Bothell, WA
Some good points all around, some of which I agree with more than others. A few thoughts from my end:
Underage drinking: Yes, there needs to be limitations. I didn't see any problemon the trail, but back at camp it got out of hand. The one kid got shnockered, and his bro and/or friends should have been more on top of that. It's absolutely a liability issue and also a responsibility issue. As the adults in attendance, we have a responsibility to look out for underage members.
Drinking on the trail: If I want to have a beer or three on the trail and I am not intoxicated or otherwise impinging on anyone's fun or space, then it shouldn't be an issue. I didn't see anyone the least bit inebriated on the trail. maybe I missed it, but it didn't appear to be an issue, at least not i the groups that I ran with. If a harsh "no beer on the trail" policy is going into effect, I guess I'm not wheeling at
events anymore. Sorry, but that's the way I feel about it. I enjoy a few beers on the trail, I keep it under control, don't hassle me about it. Fot those that can't keep it under control, then yes, they need to get it under control. If they can't control it, they should not be invited back. That's all I have to say about that.
Trail runs: There was a distinct lack of planning, which wasn't tyhe end of the world, but a little frustrating, and most definitely slowed up camp departure. It would be good to have several trail runs/routes planned out in advance for groups of different sizes/capabilities, each with a designated trail leader who knows them and a good blend of experience and knowledge.
Campfire: Saturday night did get a bit out of hand on a couple of fronts. It ran later than it should have, the consumption was a bit excessive, and the noise too loud as well. We can certainly set ground rules, some obvious ones being: No underage drinking, music off by 1 or 2 a.m., etc. But there are two sides to this issue as well. Many people greatly enjoy the cameraderie of the fireside, and if it becomes a draconian "Fire out and everyone silent and in bed by 1 a.m." thing, it's unfair to the members who enjoy that sort of thing. A compromise would be to certainly kill the music at a reasonable hour. Another thing I've found very helpful in the past is ear plugs. Bring them, use them, you'll sleep much better than without them when camp is still loud. Hans made a great point, pitch your tent away from the main fire. There is certainly roo for everyone to do a little of what they enjoy while respecting others, and others taking necessary steps to ensure a bit of peace for themselves and their families.
Personally, I thought things went very well on the whole. Our late arrival back to camp Saturday was a bummer, and without numerous overheating stops and a leaf spring pin failure we would have returned to camp around 7-ish. Partly our bad, mostly unanticipated mechanical difficulties. One thing I don't really want to see is a lot of heavy-handed draconian rules laid down that would kill the casual fun of the event. If it becomes too scheduled and rigid, it loses a bit of appeal IMO.
Underage drinking: Yes, there needs to be limitations. I didn't see any problemon the trail, but back at camp it got out of hand. The one kid got shnockered, and his bro and/or friends should have been more on top of that. It's absolutely a liability issue and also a responsibility issue. As the adults in attendance, we have a responsibility to look out for underage members.
Drinking on the trail: If I want to have a beer or three on the trail and I am not intoxicated or otherwise impinging on anyone's fun or space, then it shouldn't be an issue. I didn't see anyone the least bit inebriated on the trail. maybe I missed it, but it didn't appear to be an issue, at least not i the groups that I ran with. If a harsh "no beer on the trail" policy is going into effect, I guess I'm not wheeling at
events anymore. Sorry, but that's the way I feel about it. I enjoy a few beers on the trail, I keep it under control, don't hassle me about it. Fot those that can't keep it under control, then yes, they need to get it under control. If they can't control it, they should not be invited back. That's all I have to say about that.Trail runs: There was a distinct lack of planning, which wasn't tyhe end of the world, but a little frustrating, and most definitely slowed up camp departure. It would be good to have several trail runs/routes planned out in advance for groups of different sizes/capabilities, each with a designated trail leader who knows them and a good blend of experience and knowledge.
Campfire: Saturday night did get a bit out of hand on a couple of fronts. It ran later than it should have, the consumption was a bit excessive, and the noise too loud as well. We can certainly set ground rules, some obvious ones being: No underage drinking, music off by 1 or 2 a.m., etc. But there are two sides to this issue as well. Many people greatly enjoy the cameraderie of the fireside, and if it becomes a draconian "Fire out and everyone silent and in bed by 1 a.m." thing, it's unfair to the members who enjoy that sort of thing. A compromise would be to certainly kill the music at a reasonable hour. Another thing I've found very helpful in the past is ear plugs. Bring them, use them, you'll sleep much better than without them when camp is still loud. Hans made a great point, pitch your tent away from the main fire. There is certainly roo for everyone to do a little of what they enjoy while respecting others, and others taking necessary steps to ensure a bit of peace for themselves and their families.
Personally, I thought things went very well on the whole. Our late arrival back to camp Saturday was a bummer, and without numerous overheating stops and a leaf spring pin failure we would have returned to camp around 7-ish. Partly our bad, mostly unanticipated mechanical difficulties. One thing I don't really want to see is a lot of heavy-handed draconian rules laid down that would kill the casual fun of the event. If it becomes too scheduled and rigid, it loses a bit of appeal IMO.
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