Archive for June, 2009

This past Saturday, Explore Austin hosted an information session for parents, mentors, and Explorers.  The purpose of the event was to distribute gear lists, update medical and contact information, and have parents read and sign the required paperwork for this summer’s upcoming wilderness trips.  With 12 mentors, 52 Explorers, 50 to 80 parents, numerous siblings, and Explore Austin staff, we expected anywhere from 120 to 200 people at the event.  The Acton School of Business was gracious enough to allow us to use their gorgeous facility, Taco Deli provided lunch, Teo’s provided dessert, we had an inflatable jumper for the younger siblings, there was soccer for the Explorers, and a we had a slideshow for parents.  The event was scheduled to last from 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The day before the event, our Program Director, Gergo Perlaky, and I toured the location one last time, reviewed the layout and other details, and made sure we were ready for the next day’s festivities.  On the day of the event, we showed up at about 10:00 am to set up for what promised to be a fun and effective day!

To say the least, what we found upon our arrival was a complete surprise!  Inside the facility there were about 15 individuals (some asleep on inflatable mattresses, some awake working feverishly), several light stands, a few cameras, power chords running across the floor, and miscellaneous gear and equipment everywhere.  The look of surprise on our faces was matched only by the look of surprise on the faces of the other party (who, it turns out, was shooting a short film with a 48 hour deadline). It became clear that the facility had been inadvertently double-booked, that neither party was at fault, but that we had to solve the problem immediately. That is when the Explore Austin ACES framework kicked in.

Gergo never missed a beat.  He recognized the need for initiative.  Despite the challenge, he knew we had over 100 people headed our way (in less that 45 minutes) and that failure was not an option.  So, while I spoke with the leader of the other party, he got the bouncer set-up, moved tables and chairs, organized the caterers, and set up the paperwork stations.  In short, he was the epitome of Action-Oriented!

Meanwhile, as mentors began arriving to what was an extremely chaotic scene, they also sprung into action.  Some helped Gergo set up furniture, some greeted early arriving parents and Explorers, and some unloaded gear and equipment from vehicles. All did something.  All did so without complaint. All did so without question.  All showed amazing initiative.  All were the epitome of Excellent Teammates!

Simultaneous to all of this activity, I was busy explaining the situation to the other party.  I was assuring them that we would do whatever we could to minimize the impact of our event on their film shoot.  I was encouraging them to accept that fact that (like it, or not), thanks to the 100 people getting ready to show up, their original plans were about to change.  We worked together to identify the “must haves’ of each party, to formulate an action plan, and to implement a solution.  We had to be Strong Communicators to make it work (especially by 11:00 a.m.)!

And guess what?  It did work!  Thanks to Action-Oriented people who had the Courage to be Excellent Teammates and the ability to be Strong Communicators, the event went off without a hitch.  We had over one hundred people filling out paperwork, playing soccer, watching slide shows, talking to each other, and just having fun.  Participants never knew what had taken place just before their arrival (and all while the film shoot continued right next to us)!  Although it wasn’t planned, I couldn’t have written a more fitting beginning to Explore Austin’s summer.  We are about to take our Explorers across the country to learn to be better leaders by applying the ACES framework in outdoor (sometimes chaotic) settings.  We know that things won’t always go as planned.  There will be bad weather, wrong turns, broken equipment, etc.  Yet, we will ask the Explorers to push through the adversity and make the best of the unplanned situation.  Saturday’s challenges gave us the chance to practice what we preach, to remind ourselves that following the ACES framework actually works (not just for Explorers, but for mentors and staff, as well), and to prepare ourselves for the coming summer wilderness trips.  Having seen Explore Austin in action this weekend, I know it’s going to be a great summer!

Onward,

Todd

I spent the past 10 days in the woods and waters of Maine, participating in Outward Bound Instructor Training.  We backpacked, canoed, and rock-climbed.  We tested ourselves physically and mentally and were shown the history, teachings, and traditions of Outward Bound.  We learned new outdoor skills, refined skills we already knew, and reflected on how those skills can be applied to our every day lives.  For 5 of the 7 days it was 30 – 60 degrees and raining.  For 2 days it was sunny and 65 degrees (so the bugs came out, too!).  We were led by caring instructors/guides who made sure we were safe but challenged, supervised but not babysat, and taught but not preached to.  To say the least, it was an amazing experience!  However, throughout the week I couldn’t help but notice the similarities to Explore Austin and the things our Explorers are getting ready to experience this summer.

In just one month, we will be sending 52 boys to Colorado and Washington State for Explore Austin’s “Main Event”.  Some will kayak, some will mountain bike, some will raft, and some will rock-climb, backpack and fly fish.  All will learn and grow!  We have mentors and guides who are committed to challenging, supervising, and teaching in the same safe manner as the Outward Bound instructors I was with.  The boys will learn new outdoor skills, refine ones they were taught this Spring, and discuss ways to apply those skills in their lives here in Austin.  I’m sure there will be rain, sun, tears, and smiles all mixed together.  There will be deep conversations about life and jokes told about each other (and who knows what else).  There will be late nights, early mornings, and probably a skinned knee, or two.  Most importantly, in the end there will be growth of character.  Our Explorers will be Action-Oriented, Courageous, Excellent Teammates, and Strong Communicators.

The last 10 days in Maine made me a better person, a better father, and a better husband.  This summer will make our Explorers better people, better friends, better sons, and better students.  That is why we do what we do.  As we send the Explorers on their excursions, we should remember what Kurt Hahn, the founder of Outward Bound said, “…Expeditions can greatly contribute towards building strength of character. Joseph Conrad in Lord Jim tells us that it is necessary for a youth to experience events which ‘reveal the inner worth of the man; the edge of his temper; the fibre of his stuff; the quality of his resistance; the secret truth of his pretences, not only to himself but others.”  I’m proud to be part of an organization trying to do just that.

Onward,

Todd