Going on an adventure takes a lot of coordination, and if it’s a true adventure things almost never go to plan. Adventuring with a crew takes even more coordination, and is proportionally even more messy.
But going on adventures with friends can be even more rewarding than by yourself -- if you can manage the mess.
Here are 5 tips to make going on an adventure with your crew go a smooth as possible, from planning to when things go wrong on the road.
1. Venmo and Google Sheets
Some of the biggest strife in group trips can come from money-related issues. Don't let something that should be simple get messy.
Be upfront about what is going to be split and what is not. If the group buys groceries and the group eats the groceries, split the groceries evenly. You don't need to count the calories and charge per unit consumed... just split it up and be done with it.
Record all purchases-to-split in Google Sheets where everyone can access and add items. Note the date, purchaser, and what it was that was bought.
At the end of the trip, add everything up and divide the total by the total number of people. 7 people in your crew? Split 7 ways. Add up each person's contributions to date. Anyone who's paid more than the "split 7 ways" average is owed money, anyone who hasn't paid more than average owes money.
Use the app Venmo to easily transfer money from person to person to make everything equal out to $0 for each person.
2. Take time to yourself
Just because you're with a group doesn't mean you need to all stay together all the time. And you shouldn't -- adventuring requires some time to yourself. Break off from the group and do your own thing for a couple hours.
3. Communication beyond the group text
Air any bad blood upfront. A group trip is as much a journey down interpersonal development as it is about a journey into the world. Don't let things fester.
Also, WeChat. Download WeChat if you're going international and only use it on wifi (unless you have cell service internationally). Use WeChat to send locations, directions, dinner plans, etc.
4. Don’t over-plan
If you put too much stock in a plan, you're probably going to be disappointed. Leave time to explore. Get lost (but of course find your way back).
5. Embrace the unknown and grow
You learn about yourself when you spend a lot of time with other people in a new place. Sailing on a boat with 6 others, an international ski trip to a country where no one speaks the language, these are all situations where you are going to be uncomfortable. Embrace it.
Reflect on what makes you happy and introspect when you are frustrated. Take it step by step and you will learn more about yourself than you thought possible.
