General Policies and Procedures

From WildWiki

INTRODUCTION: Return to Courses Page

Definitions:

Policy- A set of rules, standards, and/or protocols that instructors are expected to follow while leading courses for the ECWP.

Guidelines- Suggestions, outlines, or best practices listed to assist instructors in implementing policies.

Description:

Earlham College Wilderness Programs have established a set of policies and best practices for various areas as it relates to working with students in the field. Each of these areas is broken down into policies (things instructors are expected to do in the field) and guidelines (suggestions or best practices to assist with stated policies). As with all things in the outdoor field, there is more than one way to do something. Stated policies may not be the only way to approach an issue, but they are OUR WAY to approach the issue and we expect instructors to adhere to stated policies. That being said, policies are no substitute for sound judgment and decision making in the field. Instructors always have the prerogative to ignore or modify a policy based on what is happening in the field. Any modification or change in policy practice in the field must be justified by sound, clearly articulated reasoning (i.e. “I didn’t like the policy” is NOT an sound, clearly articulated reasoning). You can expect to be questioned about any policy changes or oversights made in the field.

Overview:

General policy and guidelines are broken into three main areas-

1. Emergency -policies of special importance or urgency

2. Frontcountry -driving, administrative, and pre-trip policies

3. Backcountry -all field-based policies