- Roving Outdoor Conservation School Fieldguide - Philmont ...

-- PURPOSE & OBJECTIVES_----_ROCS. Purpose: The purpose of the ROCS Program is to create a comfortable learning environment that fosterscrea!Jvrty, drscussron, and the practice of conservation and wilderness principles. This is achieved through freernformatron exchange led and mediated by qualified staff members. The ROCS faculty seeks to equip students with asmuch knowledge as possrble rn order to encourage them to establish their own conclusions. Students are treated ascolleagues on an academic journey; instructors are to facilitate learning and maintain safety standards.ROCS Facultv Objectives:"" To educate responsible stewards of the land through instruction in modem conservation practices"" To educate competent outdoorspeople, capable of planning and leading multi-day backpacking trips with smallgroups"" To provide the complete "Philmont experience" by participating in backcountry programs and learning the historyand aims and ideals of Philmont Scout Ranch and the BSAROCS Student Objectives:.,_ To observe and practice styles of leadership.,_ To understand and live by the guidelines of positive expedition behavior.,_ To exercise solid judgment in an outdoor setting.,_ To become proficient in wilderness "hard" skills.,_ To discuss and practice Leave-No-Trace principles and methods.,_ To gain a general knowledge of conservation skills (forestry, fire ecology, geology, range management, etc} in avariety of formats including many hands-on projects.,_ To keep records of learning in a trail journal.,_ To leam and practice the three stages of trail building and use of tools.,_ To think and apply ROCS skills and prepare a contract to be used at homePOLICIES & PROCEDURES-----All rules of Philmont as written in the Staff Guidebook apply at all times. The following are additional policies to rememberwhile on assignment for ROCS:1. Never leave the crew. From lunch on Arrival Day to breakfast on Departure Day instructors are responsible forthe students and their actions. Except in the case of a medical emergency, instructors will be with the crew at alltimes, this includes spending the night with the crew in Camper Tent City on their first and last nights and eatingall meals with the crew.2. Be smart about days off. When you have days off, leave! Relax! Have fun! Remember to fill out a Days-OffItinerary if you are leaving Base camp (either to go into the backcountry or off-property} and file it in theConservation Office and Logistics. If there is an emergency, we will need to find you. Remember that everyoneknows who you are and where you work. All your actions, on and off duty/property, count. Irresponsibility canresult in many problems.3. Non-crew assignments. Because of the ROCS rolling enrollment there will be a lot of time that you are working,but are not with a crew. Duties will vary: Conservationist, Work Crew, helping other departments, supportingROCS crews on the trail, and other deemed-appropriate duties. These assignments are just as important asworking with crews.4. Rotation and days off. Days off requests must be received within the first week of the summer for consideration.You can expect to have~ days off after your first 21-day session. Otherwise, you will be in a 6-on and 2-off or9-on and 3-off rotation.-5. Uniforming. All Philmont uniforming policies are to be followed. While hiking, instructors should be in fullPhilmont Staff uniform. While working, instructors may wear jeans, overalls, or Carhartts with their Class B staffshirt. The Class A uniform is mandatory for all on-assignment instructors while in Base Camp.4