Outdoor Adventure USA

byteheed wrote:I think a chalk board or two at the group campsite with that day's run details would be helpful. Nothing big or fancy, just a basic small board near the OAUSA banner with leader, call sign, comms, meeting time, and meeting place would do the trick.

Also, last minute changes should be posted to the original run planning thread for day-trippers or people heading out late. (I think this was done for this event, if I recall).

I think this would be a great idea. Also, a copy of the sign-up sheets, run listings, vehicle checklist, etc., could be laminated and hung next to it for reference.

What I find makes it difficult is that on most of these events, there is no actual start/finish time - the event goes from Fri-Sun, but some folks come in on Sat, some Thurs, some Sun, so everyone isn't in one place at any one time. Eventually, when everyone here gets their amateur license (hint, hint), longer range communications will be easier, and everyone can check in with a designated "registration" person as they arrive. This will help keep track of who is where.

and...a phone tree until we get our hams. although....phone reception in borrego is hit or miss.......i had phone reception at the campsite though (and at XL gas station theres reception)

What's a phone tree?

Cnynrat wrote:

gon2srf wrote:

Voodoo Blue 57 wrote: It would also be nice to have a place where run changes are posted, time changes, meeting location changes, etc. The regulars hear about the changes by word of mouth or via radio but some may arrive late or for some reason not be aware of the change until the last minute and are scrambling to get to a starting point.

Elaborate please?

There were some changes to the meeting locations for some of the runs. In the material put out on the site beforehand some of the runs were planning to meet at Christmas Circle, but that was changed at the last minute once we learned that the circle was basically shut down for Borrego Days. I think it's a good suggestion to have some kind of pre-arranged system for letting people know of any changes that might occur due to unforeseen events.

Doing this on the radio would be an easy way, so sounds like one more reason for people to get their amateur radio license.

Yeah, the event they had going on in town kinda shut down Christmas Circle as a meeting location. We did manage to get on the radios, but I think next time I'd just have everybody meet and leave from the campground so nothing like that interferes again.

byteheed wrote:What's a phone tree?

Duh!

raYGunn wrote:

byteheed wrote:What's a phone tree?

Duh!

OMG LMAO

raYGunn wrote:

byteheed wrote:What's a phone tree?

Duh!

Hmmmm .... I don't think phone trees grow in the desert.

Cnynrat wrote:

raYGunn wrote:

byteheed wrote:What's a phone tree?

Duh!

Hmmmm .... I don't think phone trees grow in the desert.

While a phone tree might be a great idea for the Big Bear event, I suggest something a little more appropriate to Borrego.

OMG that is too friggin' funny!

Anyway, another idea would be for the run leaders to give their cell numbers to those attending their runs. That would be a good backup in case the radios are out of range or someone doesn't have one.