No really... no news is good news!

I know right?  I've set everyone up to 'follow along' on the blog and Twitter and then what do I do... I tell you if you don't hear anything on the blog about your child's group then that's good!

We have four layers of safety and communication built into the program that gives me confidence that if we don't hear from a group then that's by choice.

• Solid instructors take great care of our kids based on written procedures and policies that we review annually
• Instructors carry cell phones (although we ask students to leave theirs behind) for the areas that have service
• For areas where cell service isn't available (most of the White Mountains) we pack satelite phones out with our groups.  These things are cool - you can call home from the middle of the Sahara Desert!
• Say both phones fall into a river or something - then what?  For every day on trail we pre-plan communication and evac points so instructors don't have to figure it out in the moment.  Typical communication points include private homes along roads, ranger stations, high mountain huts maintained by the Appalachian Mountain Club and campgrounds.

Remember, we don't have a planned check ins on purpose - self reliance, lack of dependence on technology and discipline are core values of the program!

One year I asked you if you thought we should send more technology out on course and you can read what folks had to say here.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments!