AW Supervised Independent Travel

From WildWiki

Supervised Independent Travel (SIT) is often called "paddle out" or "walk out". It may be worth it to consider whether these terms provide the best frame for the experience. Students may view these as after-thoughts and lower both their expectations and their hazard awareness if all the experience is about is "getting out" of the woods. This is why SIT is the "official" name for this particular component of AW.

Return to AW Gen'l Curriculum

What is SIT? It can be a variety of things depending, most importantly, on the assessment of your students, the route, and local conditions. SIT usually involves a continuum of boundaries from:

• Most Independence- students travel and camp independently of instructors. Notes are passed each day between both parties through an established messaging protocol (usually bandanas at common known site).

• Most Supervision- students and instructors travel and camp together. Instructors consciously and overtly take less of a leadershop role letting students make decisions and be "leaders of the day".

Between these can be other variations including students travelling separate from instructors during the day but camping together- or perhaps within eye/ear shot at night.

How do you create a successful SIT component?

Have students practice first! During the train and main sections of the experience, make sure students gain practice and competance with basic campcraft and navigation skills. Remember, every group member needs to be competant! Also, vary travel routines during the day between whole group and small group, between travelling in front of students and trailing them so that they gain more experience and confidence with making their own decisions. Discuss hazard awareness and judgement issues constantly- ask students what if scenarios and have them talk out how they would proceed or act in assessing a portage or a off-trail route.

Finally, create the right frame for SIT. Telling students that the end of the course will automatically involve a "paddle out" of 4 days that they will be required to do independent of instructors is NOT a successful frame. Nor is withholding information to the point that students feel powerless about how the course will unfold. SIT should be framed early so students know what to expect and how to best prepare themselves as individuals and as a group for the challenge ahead. The best frame is one that sets up a challenge with choice- so that students can get excited about it but also understand the parameters that will be in place. Remember, not everyone will be excited about SIT- some will be apprehensive, some won't care either way. Your frame should be tailored to your group and your assessment of their engagement with the experience thus far.