by Suzie Romig

When RFOV crew leader Jamin Heady-Smith (pictured at right) told his group of volunteers on the Hunter Valley Trail project that they needed to move an approximately 250-pound rock, the crew gave him a look of “you’re kidding, right?”

But 45 minutes later, the crew had wrestled the big rock into place to help construct a new eight-step staircase to improve a dangerous trail section. After working all day on a 15-foot piece of trail, “everyone really had some appreciation for step building,” Jamin said with a grin.

The job of a good crew leader is to create that appreciation for a well-built trail and to foster a sense of satisfaction in a job well done. Crew leaders build camaraderie, teach new skills and help keep volunteers safe.

Chair of the crew leader development committee, Jamin said the group hopes to add 10 new crew leaders in order to staff the busy 2010 project season.

“The crew leader is really an important part of RFOV because we can’t do the projects without them,” Jamin said.

Potential crew leaders can take part in one of two different training sessions, either May 1st and 2nd, or dates to be announced in June. Existing crew leaders can revive their skills during a new one-day refresher course or at a rock skills seminar, with dates to be announced this spring. A CPR and first aid training also will be available to all interested individuals on Monday, March 15 and Wednesday, March 17, taught by crew leader Michael Hutton at the El Jebel fire station from 6-10 p.m. Preregistration is required.

In addition to the special training sessions, crew leaders receive T-shirts and hats and get to work with various groups of fun volunteers. Each crew leader is asked to lead volunteers for at least two projects per season.

“It takes doing some projects to keep your skills honed,” Jamin noted.

With 10 major projects, plus a month of Thursday evening work events, crew leaders will have many opportunities to help volunteers gain that sense of satisfaction during the upcoming season. As RFOV crews know, a lot more work goes into building a sustainable trail than most trail users realize.

“Really, it’s the before and after that tells the tale,” Jamin said. “If you compare pictures from the beginning of the day and after you are done, it really knocks your socks off.”

For questions about becoming a crew leader, call the RFOV office or talk with any committee member:  Jamin Heady-Smith, Michael Hutton, Mark Schuemaker, Greg Schroeder, Jim Neu or Paul Boyer. Or come to the crew leader kick-off event planned for April 1st at the Village Smith in Carbondale.