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One of the most enjoyable ways of making a contribution to any
walking group is to lead a walk yourself. In this respect, we are
totally reliant on the efforts of volunteers. No prior experience
is required, just an enthusiasm to share the joys of walking with
others. Another fillip to RA membership is protection in the form
of indemnity in the event of injury during the course of a scheduled
walk or walkover. If you are thinking of leading a walk in 2007/2008
or beyond, here are a few tips to make the walk a safe and enjoyable
experience for everyone:
Before the walk:
- Choose your route carefully. Your local library and bookshop
will stock many guides under local information and travel. Give
some thought to distance, terrain, and the time of year;
- Plan to use a public car park as the start point if at all
possible;
- Always walk the route beforehand, preferably with a fellow
GWG member who can help out with back-marking or navigating on
the day. An ordnance survey map provides visual detail and a guide
book ideas and narrative for those who find it difficult using
maps exclusively;
- Plan where you are going to have coffee/rest stops and lunch.
Generally speaking, a break half way between the start and lunch
and another break half way between lunch and the finishing point
gives most walkers sufficient time to rest and recover without
losing momentum);
- Please pass on all the walk details to our walks co-ordinator,
Gordon, at least one month before the next walk programme is issued
(walks@gwg.org.uk). This makes the walk co-ordinator very happy,
and prevents him from hassling you for walk details. Remember,
you can submit your details at any time through our website.
On the walk:
- Before you start:
- Nominate your back-marker, and do a quick head-count (if
you are a committee member or there are none present, this
should be recorded as this enables us to report on active
membership at each AGM);
- Make sure you and your back marker have a map and a fully
charged mobile phone with you;.
- Give a little introduction to say who you are, where we
are going, how long it's going to take, lunch details, and
points of interest along the way. This is much better than
pointing towards the car park exit and saying "it's this way".
If you're a bit nervous about this, ask a committee member
to do the intro;
- If there are any new members, point them in the direction
of a committee member so they can get more info about the
group.
During the walk:
- Walk at a pace that keeps the group together and gives people
the opportunity to absorb the beauty of our countryside. If
the people at the back are struggling to keep up, slow down;
- For those that follow, please be patient and avoid the temptation
of advancing too far ahead of the Walk Leader as this may affect
the rhythm of the group. It can also distract or hinder the
Walk Leader who will have gone through a great deal of preparations
in ensuring that everyone enjoys the walk;
- The most important point - Enjoy it! If you've done all of
the above and problems still arise, don't panic, and ask for
help.
At the end:
- Do a final head count - have you lost anyone ?
- Receive rapturous applause and free drinks at the bar for
doing an outstanding job!
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