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=Hiking Half Dome= Nancy S

//Abstract//
My website will be for individuals who are new to hiking and want to hike Half Dome in Yosemite in May, 2008. It will be based much like the marathon groups. There will be a calendar with hiking locations and mileage for each week that we need to attain. We will meet as a group at least once a week for a hike, but preferably more than that. We will also need to do some weight training and possibly yoga to keep us limber. How many times we will meet face to face will depend on the group. The calendar will contain all of the training necessary and individuals will sometimes have to take it upon themselves to accomplish the goals for the week. There will also be a menu to help people eat right for the hikes and throughout the week. I would start it with a couple of months planned out and then other participants must continue it each week. Some hikers may be new to exercise so we would have to start out slowly. No one would be excluded but my goal is to have a small, dedicated group that works well together and becomes good friends.

//Learners & Context//
San Diegans who want to change their lives in a positive way. Individuals will learn about their bodies, themselves, nutrition, biology, and San Diego geography. They may even learn a little bit about first aid if someone gets injured. Depending on the places we hike, a little bit about snakes and critters will be in order.

//Learning Goals//
In the long term, individuals will learn about how much they can achieve and their limitations. They will learn how to plan out a long-term goal and what tricks they need to persevere. Individuals will also learn how important it is to have a cohesive group for such a goal. This is harder to accomplish by oneself. An added bonus is that individuals who don't know about blogs and wikis will become familiar with it. Everyone in the group will know how to eat right to fuel their activities.

//Required Resources//
The plan is to accomplish the goal in fifteen months. Anyone can join but everyone needs to participate in the planning of the hikes and the meal plans. We will have links to cooking shows, cookbooks, and any other online resources that will help us. Participants in the group can post their favorite sites. Everyone will also have the ability to post recipes on the site.

//Tools and Models//
I will put this page up in Wikipedia. There will be a home page with the information about the goal. A second page will have the calendars. A third page will be dedicated to nutrition, and a fourth page will be for recipes. There will also be a blogging page.

//Process//

 * 1)** Everyone signs up and explains who they are and why they want to pursue this goal. They provide at least three dates and times that they could devote to hiking every week. **2)** I send out an email with a date, time, and location for our first meeting. **3)** During our first meeting, we will get to know each other, take a short hike, stretch together, and talk a little bit about nutrition. We will find out reasons that each person joined the group, and what inspires them. **4)** I will provide them with some nutritional information to take home with them as well as a calendar of hikes for the next month. **5)** We learn of each other's strengths and how each person can contribute to the group. A nurse can provide us with information about first aid. A dietitian can provide information about the food we should eat, etc. We learn from each other with each meeting, plus information is posted on the Half Dome wiki page. **6)** Individuals volunteer to post information or to speak at each gathering. Each posting makes us more informed, which increases the likelihood of success. **7)** After the hikes or at any time during the week, individuals can post comments and recommendations. They can comment about a hike we did or about a recipe they tried. Individuals can even post a message offering motivation to another group member.

The schedule starts out with 20-30 minutes of hiking, 10 minutes of stretching, and fifteen minutes of learning, in that order. The topic can change each week depending on who volunteers.

//Rationale//
The way to accomplish grand goals is to join with other people who have the same goal. We inspire each other and provide a level of responsibility so we don't give up. The technology will allow us to share information more easily than handing out papers every time we want to share something. We can discuss it on the hike or after the hike, and then follow it up with information on the wiki page. Technology is also a good way to share thoughts about the hikes, recipes, suggestions for curing ailments, and the like. We would not be able to share such information over the telephone with a group of five or six. With a small group, it's easier to get to know each other intimately. An intimate group is more fun and more supportive. If individuals are enjoying themselves, they are more likely to continue.

//Evaluation//
The project is successful if people are getting stronger, leaner, brighter, and developing their cardiovascular ability. Working our way toward this goal will build our confidence and increase our outlook in life. As we get closer to our goal, we will feel better about ourselves and what we can do if we set our minds to it. If we accomplish our goal of hiking Half Dome and develop close friendships along the way, I may do it again with a slightly bigger goal.

//Reflection//
The hardest part of this project is providing information upon which I am knowledgeable but not an expert. I will have to rely on individuals who join the group to add to the knowledge pool. I also have to rely on others to plan the hikes for the week. There is also a chance that the group dynamics will not be positive and it will not be an enjoyable experience. We will have to draw on our diplomatic skills if that begins to happen.