As we’ve said many times, getting the right trip leaders on board is one of the most important elements to running a successful program.  Chad and I spent over four full weeks this past winter interviewing prospective leaders and hiring staff.  We visited 13 small liberal colleges in the Northeast.  Schools like Bowdoin, Colby, Trinity, Hamilton, Franklin & Marshall & Bucknell.  We received over 130 applications for only 13 new trip leadership positions.  It’s a lot of work, but in the end, we know it’s all worth it.  And with 50% of our leaders back in 2011, we’re darn proud of the team we’ve assembled for the coming summer.