DOC First-Year Trips / Info for Leaders / Being on a Croo

Being on a Croo

What is a Croo?

Croos are the support network for Trips. Croos are responsible for making sure each trippee and each trip leader has a safe and FUN trip. Croos entertain and interact with many incoming students during Trips — being on a Croo is a amazing opportunity to make a positive impact on a huge number of students.

Trips has five Croos and each Croo is responsible for keeping a specific part of Trips running smoothly. Check out the Croo application for a detailed description of each Croo. Each Croo is led by one or two Croo Chiefs, who are responsible for their Croo throughout Trips.

What does a Croo member do?

Each Croo member is responsible for helping his or her Croo in whatever way possible throughout Trips. This includes setting up and decorating the home base, providing logistical support to Trip Leaders and trippees, and helping to make sure everything runs smoothly. In addition, Croo members answer questions, provide advice, and generally get incoming students STOKED for their college experience.

Croo members start work on August 28, 2008, and finish work on September 17, 2008. Croos are unpaid positions; however, food and lodging is provided for the duration of Trips.

What do we look for in a Croo member?

Being on a Croo is an incredibly exciting, meaningful, and intense experience. Croo members are picked for their excitement for Trips and for Dartmouth, a wide variety of experiences and skills, and the ability to connect to and interact with incoming students. Each Croo is chosen to represent as much of Dartmouth as possible; therefore, applications for Croos are encouraged to show off their unique interests, skills, and experiences. Being a Croo member is an amazing chance to provide incoming students with as positive and open welcome to Dartmouth as possible, and so Croo members are selected, first and foremost, for their ability to make incoming students feel comfortable and welcome in their new home.

How Are the Applications Graded?

Croo applications are read by the Croo chiefs and trips directors, and Croos are selected after deliberations among the Trips leadership. The first read of the Croo applications is a blind read, meaning that your name, your year, and other information will not be included during the first read. This is done to assure the grading process is as fair and as open as possible.

What Does the Croo Training Involve?

Croo members must complete the same training the leaders do. Our excellent Leader Training Program consists of three distinct seminars (and the “All-In-One” seminar covers all three together!). In addition, each Trip Leader must be First Aid and CPR certificated for the duration of his/her trip (check out Dartmouth EMS for more information on dates and times for classes).

• Risk Assessment Seminar (RA): Here you will learn everything you’ll need to know to lead your group of trippees safely from beginning to end of your Trip. Topics may include, but are not limited to: allergic reactions, LNT (leave no trace), hypothermia, Vox (what DO they do anyways?), lightening, First Aid (quick overview), pandas (how are they so damn cute?!?), etc.
• Group Dynamics Seminar (GD): Where RA teaches you how to get from point A to point B safely, GD teaches you how to make your journey fun! Here you’ll learn tips and tricks you can use to maintain group harmony on your Trip. First, we think about the social side of the Trips experience … how to establish and maintain great relationships with both your co-leader and your Trippees (both on and off the trail). Then we give you a quick rundown of the Trips experience — from Gilman Island to Moosilauke Ravine Lodge!
• Wilderness Skills Seminar (WS): During WS you’ll learn the basic “hard” wilderness skills you’ll need during your trip. This seminar will be mostly outside and on the move, so please wear appropriate footwear. Experienced leaders (i.e. those who have previously led a First-Year Trip) are exempt from this seminar, but may participate if they are so inclined.
• All-In-One Seminar: This day-long (fun!) session gives you the opportunity to experience all three Seminars consecutively.

See the Leader Calendar for the dates each seminar is offered.