In the WCC (Wyoming Conservation Corps), the term for the 10 day work stint is referred to as a "hitch." Each crew leader leads a team of 6 students for 10 days on and then has 4 days off. During the summer each group completes six hitches in different parks doing anything from trail building to tour guiding and visitor education or invasive species removal.
Yesterday, Sean finished his first hitch and considered it a success though he was definitely tired and ready to take a hot shower, sleep in a real bed and not be responsible for six other people all the time. He said that he got up every day at 5:00am to make breakfast for the group, they did trailbuilding for 12 hours a day with a break for lunch and then the students made dinner. Most nights everyone crashed at 8:30pm because they were so exchausted.
This hitch was particularly difficult since because of the Monday holiday they had to work a bit more on each day than normal. He also said that once people get in shape and get used to working hard they are hoping to be able to have a bit more fun at night and play some games. His crew members sound interesting and varied and include a past semi-pro snowboarder and a current collegiate nordic-skier. There are three guys and three girls and Sean works with another female co-leader, Becca. Sean said one of the hardest things about being a leader so far is not the paperwork or the physical labor, but managing the people and their concerns/relationships/emotions etc.
His most valued possessions so far out West include a cheap pair of sunglasses, a huge water bottle and a leatherman tool. For the next four days off he plans to enjoy a cabin at Estes Park with some of the other crew leaders to rest up before Hitch #2. Stay tuned.
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