Order of the Arrow - OA Wilderness Voyage Journal

July 13th, Day Seven - Definition of Teamwork

Today was truly a turning point for our crew. We all knew each other quite well and started to trust each other more. As we all went through the normal notions of the morning, we arrived at the work site and finished up some projects. Doug and I finally nailed out our coverts, while the others finished cutting down some trees and moving rock.

The huge log that took seven crew members to carry..

Before lunch, we all met in front of this huge log with one mission: move it halfway across the 90 rod portage. After looking at each other and looking again at the log, our hope quickly faded away. No one in our crew had the body type of Arnold Schwarzenegger and, unfortunately, we did not have a truck or crane in our tool bag. Regardless we all got together and stood next to the log. We picked it up at the same time, and through each step, we managed to carry this huge mass of wood to where it needed to go. With a thump, the log was in place and a huge sense of accomplishment was flowing through everyone's mind. If one team member did not pitch in his effort, we would have never been able to move the log. But with 110% devotion of everyone, we moved this log halfway across this portage trail, going up and down a hill. This experience defined the teamwork in our crew.

A great view from our campsite.

With the log moved, we earned a long lunch break. Our final phase of construction was to gather rocks and smash them in to gravel. We used the big log to place three feet across another log (see above photo). The plan was to fill the dirt part of the trail up to the top of the log with gravel. This would fasten the converts down and stop the trail from flooding. As the hours past by, two heavy sledge hammers were swinging up and down, turning huge rock into small useful gravel.

As the long day was finally wrapped up by the setting sun, we headed back to our campsite and relaxed for a couple hours until it was time for dinner.

A Kodak moment.

It was definitely a well earned day for relaxation. Tomorrow would be the last work day, as it meant that tonight was the last night at our work campsite. Before we went to sleep, our foremen lead the crew in a religious service. We reflected upon the experience so far and looked forward to the future. I somehow managed to get into my sleeping bag where I slept soundly from a hard day's worth of work.

Revised 03/30/04

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