It’s been a busy week of training, orientation, and educational activities here in Estes and now the crews are venturing off to there bunkhouses, work centers and campsites. Now we can recap the activities that prepped the crews for their field work.
The week started off with crew members arriving to Moraine Park and settling in for the week. The morning started out with ice-breakers and a game of ninja to get the crews up and moving. After logistics, paperwork and gear distribution the crews met individually to establish group expectations and goals.
![Group of people doing fun games on a parking lot](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0551.jpg)
![Group of people playing a game of ninja](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0574.jpg)
![Group of people playing a game of ninja](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0574.jpg)
Afterwards the crew leaders led training on Leave No Trace, back country essentials, tool safety and environmental hazards. Training was followed with a relay designed to test crew members on what they had learned, they had to pack a backpack, set up a bear hang, light a whisperlite, answer Ten Essential and LNT trivia and finish as a group in lightning position.
![Group of friends sitting on the ground learning about whisperlite](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0577.jpg)
![Group of friends sitting on the ground learning about whisperlite](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0577.jpg)
![Person showing different kinds of tools towards a crowd not visible in the picture](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0584.jpg)
![Person showing different kinds of tools towards a crowd not visible in the picture](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0584.jpg)
![Group of trainees preparing a red backpack for hiking](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0598.jpg)
![Group of trainees preparing a red backpack for hiking](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0598.jpg)
![Trainees setting up a bear hang on a wide parking lot](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0599.jpg)
![Trainees setting up a bear hang on a wide parking lot](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0599.jpg)
![Group of people practicing lightning position on the ground](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0601.jpg)
![Group of people practicing lightning position on the ground](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0601.jpg)
Leader training was followed by a trip to the Warming House for boot fittings.
![Woman fitting a boot to a man with people waiting in line on the background](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/image2.jpg)
![Woman fitting a boot to a man with people waiting in line on the background](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/image2.jpg)
Wednesday started off with an educational program on the History of Rocky Mountain National Park led by local historian Jim Pickering. For this, the crews got out into the field to explore the makings of RMNP. After a quick lunch break the crews had Trails 101 training led by the Park Service to help understand trail design, tools, and safety.
![Ranger discussing towards a group of trainees sitting on benches](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0603.jpg)
![Ranger discussing towards a group of trainees sitting on benches](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0603.jpg)
Thursday consisted of First Aid and CPR Training for crew members, while those who were already trained, headed to the Park to work on a trails project and prepare for National Trails Day on Saturday.
![Group of workers lifting a rock](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0739.jpg)
![Group of workers lifting a rock](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0739.jpg)
![Group of people attending a seminar about First Aid](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0736.jpg)
![Group of people attending a seminar about First Aid](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0736.jpg)
On Friday the crews participated in Defensive Driver Training led by the Forest Service. Members of the Boulder Crew departed to their campsite to set up and prepare for the Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance training on Saturday.
![Multiple tents situated in a forest](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_2425.jpg)
![Multiple tents situated in a forest](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_2425.jpg)
National Trails day marked the culmination of training week for the crews as they headed out into the Park to work with Conservancy Members on trails in Moraine Park Campground. By the end of the day, the volunteers had installed 30 steps, resurfaced 300 feet of trail, and decommissioned over 50 feet of braided social trails to restore native habitat. The trails day ended with a great picnic and some s’mores by the campfire.
![Workers setting up a forest trail](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0977.jpg)
![Workers setting up a forest trail](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0977.jpg)
![Group of workers smashing small rocks along a trail in a mountainous area](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_3432.jpg)
![Group of workers smashing small rocks along a trail in a mountainous area](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_3432.jpg)
![Two worker attempting to lift a large rock to build a trail](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_3426.jpg)
![Two worker attempting to lift a large rock to build a trail](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_3426.jpg)
![Woman holding a mallet to smash small rocks along a newly created stairs](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_3406.jpg)
![Woman holding a mallet to smash small rocks along a newly created stairs](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_3406.jpg)
![Three people digging on a forest to create a trail](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_3402.jpg)
![Three people digging on a forest to create a trail](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_3402.jpg)
![Group of people smoothing out a newly created forest trail](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0977.jpg)
![Group of people smoothing out a newly created forest trail](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_0977.jpg)
![Workers standing beside trees to rest and have snacks](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_3446.jpg)
![Workers standing beside trees to rest and have snacks](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_3446.jpg)
![Group of volunteers posing for a picture on a hillside](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_2422.jpg)
![Group of volunteers posing for a picture on a hillside](https://rmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_2422.jpg)
Now the crews are off to do field work with their agencies and will be sending posts updating on projects and trails!
-Des Otis Rawah Crew Leader