We never start out knowing much about a sport and the outdoors is no exception. It’s dirty, you get smelly, it’s generally uncomfortable, and the bugs are horrendous. Because of the adversity in the outdoors, we spend a lot of time creating rules for when, where, how, and why we do things. Don’t stand up in the river, don’t poop near a trail or river; do store food in a critter proof container, and hydrate often. These rules are there for our protection, comfort, and to set us up for success. Similarly important is a dizzying array of equipment to aid our success and provide that same level of protection and comfort. Beginners in the outdoors will often have little to no knowledge of these rules and equipment.

Set Up a Pre-Trip Orientation

Whenever you are introducing new participants to the outdoors you want to make sure you have a plan for training and education. This can be as simple as a pre-trip safety briefing and orientation, or it can be a more complex training class with set objectives for learning. River guides have a pre-trip safety briefing with their clients, and a paddle talk to get them ready for the day. Hiking guides will have orientations on where they are headed and the goals of the trip, as well as safety discussions for behavior on the trail. By creating a plan for new participants as well as some learning goals, you can better prepare folks for the activities they are likely to expect.

How Pre-Trip Orientations Benefit Beginners

Equipment Safety: Knowing how to use the equipment properly can help prevent injuries. For example, in rafting knowing how to use a throw bag to rescue a swimmer can prevent injuries from swimming a large dangerous rapid. When you plan your pre-trip orientation make sure you discuss all of the equipment participants will receive or should have brought with them. Also cover basic usage of the equipment for new participants so they don’t get injured with any equipment they are using. Similarly, you will want to discuss any general safety rules and parameters that beginners may not be aware of.

Understanding Rules of the Trip: Understanding the rules of the adventure that they are embarking on is crucial to the beginner's enjoyment of the sport. If they do not know what is going on, they may feel lost, frustrated or overwhelmed. Worse yet experienced outdoors folk may be dismissive, frustrated, or outright hostile to those who don’t understand the rules. Explaining the basic rules and techniques helps the beginner feel more comfortable and confident. Take time to discuss the rule and why it is in place, for instance explain why they should not go running through the bushes. Is there poison oak in that thicket and are they likely to get a nasty rash on a multi-day trip? Have a list of the basic safety rules that they should be following so they know what the expectations are.

Improving Performance: Knowing basic rules and techniques can also help the beginner improve their performance and get more enjoyment out of the adventure. By understanding etiquette and how to use the equipment properly, the beginner can learn to use the equipment more effectively to reduce fatigue and build confidence with the basics. Understanding rules, like hydration, will further boost a beginner’s confidence; however, it requires experienced practitioners to help guide and remind beginners toward their continued success.

Elements Of a Pre-Trip Orientation

• Welcome

• Discuss The Scope of The Trip

• Equipment Introduction

• General Safety Discussion

• Equipment Familiarization and Hands on Equipment Orientation

• Practice Specific Skills for Success in A Controlled Setting

Rafting legend Bill McGinnis often taught that the duty of an experienced outdoors person is to bring people from fear to confidence to joy. Helping people understand the rules and the equipment is the first step on the path to taking someone from fear to confidence. If you have a practiced and well thought out plan for how to make this happen and brief people well, they can find confidence in knowing what lies ahead of them and what they are going to get out of the adventure. If experienced outdoor folks are on hand to help guide people who are feeling confident in themselves, they will likely find a spark of joy in what they are doing and want to chase that spark in the future.