Pathfinder Orientation v Being an Engaged Pathfinder v Best Practices v Partnering with City of Scottsdale Preserve Coordinators
Being An Engaged Pathfinder : A. Commitment to Mission v Pathfinders help ensure that Preserve visitors have a safe, enjoyable experience and leave with a positive impression of the Conservancy and the City of Scottsdale v Fulfilling the Pathfinders’ mission takes priority over other shift duties and shift interests
PF Engagement: B. Training Requirements v Pathfinder Orientation v 1 st Trailhead training at Lost Dog or Tom’s Thumb (schedule with TH Lead) v 2 nd trailhead training where you wish to regularly work shifts (schedule with TH Lead) v Earn your Steward badge v Contact trailhead leads where you trained to be qualified to sign up for shifts on Better Impact app v Complete the Conservancy’s First Aid and CCC class within 6 in-season months of becoming a Pathfinder
PF Engagement: C. The Basics about “Shifts” v Shifts are two hours long v Pathfinders serve at least two shifts a month v Pathfinders sign up for shifts on Better Impact v Pathfinders “bid” for shifts; final decision is made by the Trailhead Lead v Each trailhead is unique: trails, visitors, needs, shift schedule, facilities v Don’t assume that shift procedures at one trailhead are the same at another
PF Engagement: D. Preparing for a Pathfinding Shift v What to wear v Steward shirt (most recent logo) and visible badge v Sunglasses, hiking shoes, hat v Layers in cool weather v What to bring v Fully charged cell phone v Water for you and one more v Snack for you v Pack/carry all v Cooling towel
PF Engagement: E. Talking to Visitors v Greet visitors v Assess their preparedness v Advise them on safety measures v Assess their interests/abilities regarding trail routes v How long/how far they wish to hike, bike, ride? v Desired trail characteristics? v Using a map, recommend a route v Answer their questions
PF Engagement : E. 1. Informing, managing, educating v Manage challenging situations v Safety v Teaching moments
PF Engagement: E. 2. Informing, managing, educating v Preserve Rules --Scottsdale Preserve Ordinance #3321 https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/planning- v development/long-range-planning/preserve-ordinance v Educate visitors; don’t order! v Inform what the rule is v Explain why the rule exists v If things get testy, back away and inform others as appropriate
PF Engagement F. Families and Kids Assess & Advise Children’s Passport v Preparation v Explain “Stay on trail” v Trail routes v Ask about kids’ experience v Young kids – ½ mile loops v Point out optional return routes, good resting places v Desert education
PF Engagement: G. The Shuffling Man v Assess: Hat, shoes, water, sunglasses, cell phone, behavior? v Greet: “Hi…Welcome…Here to hike?” v Friendly, probing questions: v “Have you been here before?” v “What brings you out today?” v “How are you feeling?” v “Did the doctor say how long you should go out?” v “Do you have a cell phone?”
PF Engagement H. Keep Learning v Required: v Conservancy First Aid/CCC class within 6 in-season months from becoming a Pathfinder & then every 2 years v Pathfinder Orientation annually v Strongly Recommended: v Flora, Fauna, Natural History, Geology classes v Hike, bike, ride the trails; Guided Hike/Bike events v Share your experiences with other Pathfinders and ask about theirs
PF Engagement: I. Conservancy Stewardship v Give time to other programs, projects, events v Provide Behind-the-Scenes Support for Pathfinders & Conservancy v Financial donations v Take leadership roles
PF Engagement: Ask Questions!
PF Best Practices A. Pathfinders Stay Current v Pathfinder Orientation once a year v First aid class every two years v Trailhead Binder v Pathfinder Newsletter v Pathfinder Socials v Communication with Trailhead Lead v Patrol-Pathfinder Facebook Page
PF Best Practices B. Stress Trail Sharing v Promote respect for hikers, bikers & equestrians v Try to see the trail from their unique perspectives v Who yields to whom! v Respectful precautions to share: v Slow down when sight lines are poor & others on the trail v Keep ears open – discourage earbuds v Groups should go single file; take no more than ½ the trail v When wanting to pass, announce presence, be sure you were heard; announce how many coming behind you v Hike, ride, bike on the right, pass on the left
PF Best Practices C. 1. First Aid Management Procedures v First Aid Events: v Typical: cactus thorns, heat/dehydration, scrape v Less Typical: sprain, broken bone, diabetic event, cardiac event v Managing the situation v Focus most on assessing and directing what should be done v Ask for help from others in the area if needed v Direct injured person or companion to do as much as possible v If person is unresponsive or has life-threatening symptoms: call 911 (permission to call 911 is not necessary) v Ask permission to assist—a responsive person can refuse
PF Best Practices C. 2. First Aid Management Procedures v Do NOT provide medications v DO provide sunscreen, bandages, tweezers, comb, water, etc. v Do not exceed your level of training/comfort v Do not become a victim v Do not talk to media; refer media to the Conservancy v You are covered by Arizona’s Good Samaritan Law v Afterward, provide detailed report: v Phone call to Conservancy Director v Visitor Accident Report –see: https://stewardworld.mcdowellsonoran.org/steward-resources/
Best Practices: C.3. First Aid – Using 911 v WHEN IN DOUBT CALL 911! v Tell dispatcher you are in the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve v Give address of trailhead (See maps; front of PF Binder); if on trail give GPS and nearest trail marker v Stay calm and answer dispatchers questions v Provide nature of emergency and person’s symptoms v Follow dispatcher’s instructions v Stay with person
PF Best Practices: C.4. Good Information Sources v View first-aid management video: Go to: Steward World>>Resources>>Click on YouTube Educational Videos>>”MSC First-aid Management” (16 minutes) v Sign up for the Conservancy’s/COS First-aid Course v Offered 2xs a month during season except in Nov. v One session at Mustang Library; one session at Florence Ely Nelson community center
PF Best Practices: D. 1 Shift Reports v Only one Pathfinder fills out the shift report; others on shift simply report date, log hours & hit “save.” v Information to include in shift Report v # of Contacts – total number of visitors meaningfully assisted through back-and-forth conversation (e.g., “28”) v Simple greetings are not contacts v When talking to a group, count only those who joined in conversation v # of Pathfinders working shift v Cumulative hours worked by all on shift (e.g., 2 PFs X 2 hour shift = 4) v Names of PFs working shift beyond yourself v Names of PITs who trained during shift v Names of SITs who did a shadow (only observed)
PF Best Practices C.2. Shift Reports v Emergencies : Describe nature of event, if 911 was called, outcome, whether Accident Report filed v Example 1: “Hiker fell on Sunrise Tr., companion called 911, SFD transported hiker to hospital, PFs were not involved, no Accident Report filed” v Example 2: “Hiker fell at trailhead, minor bleeding on knee, hiker applied pressure with gauze from PF first aid kit, hiker declined further help, PF advised cleaning scrape with soap & water, Accident Report filed.” v Note: Accident Report filed only when Pathfinders take an active role in managing/treating injured person
PF Best Practices: C. 3. Shift report v Comments : Report if topic was an issue during shift: v Events : Unusual occurrences, groups led by professional guides (“AOA with permit – 2 leads, 5 bikers”) v Parking : (“Two cars in equestrian lot at start of shift”) v Pet problems (“Dog off leash at trailhead; when asked, owner leashed dog”) v Supplies (“Almost out of maps for Northern area”) v Trailhead Facilities (“Northern most faucet in men’s restroom not working”) v Trails (”A Steward reported fresh ATV tracks off trail on Rock Knob near GN21”)
PF Best Practices: D. Collecting Money – Donations, Sales v Donation/Sale Envelopes v Ask visitors to fill out ALL requested information v Visitors may pay by cash, check, credit card v If credit card, make sure before visitor leaves that all info is on envelope v Deposit envelope in donation slot/box or mail envelope to Conservancy office v If a sale, log any required tracking paperwork
Questions: The Pathfinder Leadership Team v Program Chair: Barbara Montgomery – Ratcliff v Assistant Chair: Rory Cassedy v Trailhead Leads and Assistant Leads v Brown’s Ranch: Steve Sukenik & Shirley Wagner v Fraesfield: Barbara Miller & Ruthie Salant v Gateway: David Duffee & Bob Burnand v Granite Mt: Jeri Pounds & Cindy Carter v Lost Dog Wash: Sharon Fitts & Sally Wirth v Tom’s Thumb: Jakki Casey & Sam Rogers v Coaching Lead : Rick Cooper v Communication Lead : Suzy Bruya v Training Lead: Judy Cooper v Safety Lead: Phil Pounds
What Happens Next? v Pathfinders-in-Training: Schedule your training shifts v 1 st at Lost Dog Wash or Tom’s Thumb v 2 nd at trailhead where you want to serve v Sign up for First Aid Class v Read Pathfinder Manual v Steward World>Pathfinder Program>Resource Page v Log your hours!
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