I'm feeling generous and want to give away a free slot in one of the courses on the weekend of September 18-20.

But I'm too tired to figure out a neat and fun way to do it.

What do you guys think? How should we give it away?

I think it should go to the oldest continuous member that has never been on your staff.

I think it should involve a fair amount of effort so that you know that the people participating really want to be there. It shouldn't be writing a paper or anything cause that's just too lame, but it could be something more along the lines of a photo essay.

I think people should submit photos of what they WOULD be doing during that weekend if not on the trip. Whoever comes up with the most creative way of showing that they need to be spared from those days and swept off their feet to the Wilderness Trekking School should win. Perhaps a paragraph explaining why they deserve to be saved should accompany the photos.

The BPL member that catches the largest fish using a tenkara fly rod in the month of August while on a UL trip. (think any user but me)

or

The BPL member posting the nicest Trip Report, limited to trips taken recently. (with a word and picture limit).
(think Tony)

or

The BPL member posting the coolest recent MYOG project.
(think Bill or Steve)

or

The BPL member with the heavest posted Gear List shown as part of their Community @ BPL Profile.
(I hope not me)

or

The BPL member having the time off work and resources to attend.
(is there one out there?)

or

The BPL member providing the most give away ideas.

Edited by thomdarrah on 07/20/2009 16:01:43 MDT.

Some sort of lottery or raffle. $5 a ticket. Money from tickets goes to charity.

Random = fair.

Give it to the person with the oldest commercially available backpack that they are willing to use on the course.

Edited by KG4FAM on 07/20/2009 15:59:37 MDT.

Dave H,
I prefer effort over luck but I would buy a $5.00 ticket to show support.

Edited by thomdarrah on 07/20/2009 16:02:13 MDT.

I'm stoked. Great ideas.

Another: what if a bunch of people who wanted to go posted a gear list, and then you all sort of voted (not really a vote but you get the idea) for the gear list that's like, "WHOA, DUDE! YOU'RE TAKIN' THAT KIT? Sweet, I wanna see THAT in ACTION!"

I, like Thom, prefer effort over effort over luck. I also think that some sort of contribution to the community would be great. As a "mostly lurker, sometimes poster" I appreciate all the contributions from people on the forums and would like to see someone rewarded for their efforts.

Also have to keep in mind that it is an introductory course that is in MT so there is some other logistics/costs that the winner would have to work out. I would like to see it go to someone that is not only deserving, but one who would actually be able to go and get the most out of it.

I would like to see an essay contest of some kind where the essays are posted and then voted on by the BPL community. Would have to be a pretty short turn around time, but could enrich the community and give a deserving individual and fantastic adventure.

Edited by jwell on 07/20/2009 16:18:41 MDT.

No, you can buy your way into a tricked out gear list. Make the person earn it.

Photo contest of whoever has carried the most ridiculous thing to the top of a mountain. Things like the Dartmouth canoe going up Mt. Washington and there was a guy that took a Watermelon to the top of Katahdin.

I'll take an anvil to the top of Mt. Marcy if someone will fly me to Montana.

So, there's that...

Due to his great contributions to the BPL community, I say offer it to Bill Fornshell.

another vote for bill

vote for bill

I like the idea of it going to either Tony Wong or Jonathon Boozer.

Tony for the generous way he shares the trips he takes via his web reports and photos.

Jonathon for the generous way he shares his gear closet.

Either of these are likely to benefit a large number of members. I'm pretty sure that Tony would respond with a fantastic article (which is the best advertising you can look for, even with the disclaimer of a free trip) I'm also fairly sure that Jonathon will sell a heap of gear to pay off the airfare, and that benefits a bunch of us as well.

In fact the more I think about it, the more I think you should offer them both a gig!!

I would have to vote for the Cuben Fiber King Bill as well.

I will throw my name in the hat if there is a spot open....What a great opportunity to learn from the BEST!!!

And I can get the time off!!!!Very important....

I think Bill could win a WHOA, DUDE! YOU'RE TAKIN' THAT KIT? contest.

Shouldn't make the mistake the People's choice Awards make every year . . . Find out who can actually attend before having a contest. Myguess is that most of us maynot be able to get two weeks off work even if there were a free course involved.

EDIT: Two weeks isn't needed for this course, just a weekend! Give it away!

Edited by Rezniem on 07/21/2009 10:58:25 MDT.

I just got back from one of the three day weekend courses... awesome. I think a photo essay contest would work well. It should not be for "insiders" it should be for anyone who is willing to work at it whether they are new members or have been around for a while... how about a creative trip report from a 3-5 day backpacking trip, taken in 2009. You could publish all the entries and have members rate each one... highest average rating wins. Could assess the essays by "lightweight lessons illustrated" and/or "content creativity" or such.