Weekend Leader Responsibilities

The Weekend Leaders have a very important role in the overall smooth and safe operation of our Rock Program. Below are the listed activities that make up the responsibility of the Weekend Leader, but more important is knowing that the Weekend Leader is the On-Site, officially designated person(s) responsible for the overall safety, comfort, and learning reward of our students. Insuring that only qualified Instructors and Assistants take out students and only qualified students go with Instructor/Assistants is the first step in insuring the safety of all parties. The steps below describe how that is done. Next, the Weekend Leader has a high range of latitude in insuring proper response to an emergency situation. If an accident does occur, we must have a central “command post” and commander that Instructors or Assistants know to go to and that is manned 100% of the time during the course. This is not the most exciting of tasks, but without a person at the “command post” during an unforeseen accident, we could be wasting valuable minutes and time to effect a proper emergency response. Finally, creating a rewarding learning environment means attention to the details – creating cohesive Instructor-Assistant-Student teams, managing the considerable quantity of gear so that each learning team can move through the days skills teaching in an efficient manner, and keeping good records of attendance. If you decide to be a Weekend Leader, our hats are off to you. It is not a glamorous job, but it is vital responsibility for our Rock Program. Thanks!

1. Coordinate with previous Weekend Leader to pickup gear. Gear consists of 15 leader bags, miscellaneous loose gear, emergency first aid equipment & “Grey Box”. The “Grey Box” contains: handouts for Students, Instructors and Assistants (BLUE - Students & RED - Instructors) sign-in books; name tags; emergency contact information for students; permit from MDC & gate keys; pens/markers.



2. Arrive at designated class meeting place on Sat & Sun by 8 AM sharp with all gear & associated materials/equipment. Get gear ready for Instructors/Assistants & Students. Get sign-in logs & name tags ready for Instructors/Assistants & Students.



3. When Instructors/Assistants arrive, have them sign in the RED book, take RED name tag (make sure they write whether they are an Instructor or Assistant on the name tag) and pick up Instructor handout.
   

   NOTE: Only Instructors listed in the book can act as an Instructor. If they are not listed, they must act as an Assistant. If a new Assistant arrives & is not listed on the sign-in log, you may allow them to add their name if you feel they are capable of acting as an Assistant (this is at YOUR discretion). You should check to see if they have already taken the course. You should also check to see how much experience they have & how they found out about the course.




4. Have each Instructor group take 1 gear bag (each bag will generally contain all the required equipment for instruction). The gear bag has a number on it & this number should be noted on the sign-in list. In some cases, additional gear will be required for Trad/Bucket, rappel & special stations. An Instructor will need to be assigned to coordinate each station which is generally noted in the handouts. Make sure someone is assigned to cover each setup.
   
   ALL INSTRUCTORS & ASSISTANTS ARE REQUIRED TO USE HELMETS DURING COURSE INSTRUCTION.
   
   A LIMITED BACKUP SUPPLY WILL BE AVAILABLE IF THEY DO NOT HAVE ONE. MAKE SURE THIS IS KNOWN & FOLLOWED.



5. Help form COHESIVE teams consisting of one Instructor (minimum), two Assistants (may vary depending on attendance) & 4-6 Students (may vary depending on attendance). This is typical but may vary depending on weekend & attendance.



6. When Students arrive, have Students sign in the BLUE book and take BLUE name tag. Inform students that they may (if desired) pick out shoes from existing equipment. Make sure each student has their previously assigned harness & helmet with them. Note: If students forget their harness or helmet, a limited supply will be available for daily loan. These students must also sign-out & return loaned gear at the end of the day.



7. During the day, one Weekend Leader should always be at their vehicle (this is in case of emergencies) & to receive gear at the end of the day. Periodically during the day, one Leader should walk the stations to see if anything is required from Instructors/Assistants. Leaders may want to rotate their watch. If your weekend is at Rattlesnake, the Weekend Leaders should move their vehicles to the emergency access roadway close to climbing area. Please park inside gate & remember to close gate after entering reservation. If gate is locked, the key should be in the “Grey Box”. Remember to relock gate at the end of the day.



8. Remind Instructors that club gear needs to be returned by 4:30PM (typical). This is a suggested time that may be changed/modified by the Weekend Leader based on weather conditions. This is at YOUR discretion.



9. At the end of the day, check-in Leader Bags as the bags are returned. Make a final sweep of the entire area (or delegate) at the very end of the day to ensure no gear is left behind.



10. In the event a student has missed a class & asks you how they can make up the session, suggest the following: they make it up on optional weekend; locate an Instructor who is without a group to take the student for special instruction (only if there are extra Instructors available); suggest they wait until after that required instruction is complete and then seek out an Instructor that might be able to provide instruction. In any case, use common sense when suggesting alternatives.