Prepare to Share

PREPARE. COME. SIGN UP. BE SELECTED. TELL.

We know you have some crazy stories, so at our events, you're the show!

Come to the event with a story in mind that can be told in 10 minutes or less.

Fill out the Storyteller Sign-up Form when you check in, and put it in the hat. Get ready to be selected at random to go in front of a crowd of like-minded outdoor enthusiasts to make us laugh, freak us out, or fill us with awe.

It’s not a competition, but a few judges will be chosen at random from the audience to pick a standout, because you know you want the glory and the shitty gifts and prizes. Hint: judging criteria is just below.

Of course anyone can come and be in the audience, but we know that once things get going you’ll want to talk about that one time with that bear, or that crazy night in Pakistan. So you might as well act like the former Boy/Girl Scout that we know you are, and be prepared.

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Manisha Kooner, Calgary, talks about swimming in Devil's Pool in Zambia near Victoria Falls.

Ian MacNairn, Calgary, professional ultra runner tells about how he got this pair of crocs on top of Mount Blanc in France.

PREPARE YOUR STORY
Storytelling is an art. Adventuring is a passion. Put them together.

Go out hard and finish strong: Have a strong first and last line already built in your head to strongly start and end with.
Stay on course: Share a brief overview of your adventure then craft a story that creates suspense and keeps the listener's attention. Keep the logistical details brief. Too many logistical details makes for BORING listening (yawn!).
What is the gnar factor? Stories with more complexity and more intrigue are higher in gnar, we think. Also, stories that are particularly hard core or intense are higher in gnar.
Does it make you and/or the audience want to laugh, cry, or hurl? Every good story pivots on emotion.
Was there a key learning point? Tell it. Consider this the moral of the story.

Read this article on our blog going more in depth to each point.
Watch that brief instructional video by Dean Burke, our resident storytelling expert.
Listen to the Boldly Went Podcast to hear intriguing and inspiring adventure stories shared at previous live events.

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Don't do these things when creating your stand-out story.

Don't be a jerk.
Don't be a bro and avoid incorporating any -isms into your story - racism, sexism, heterosexism, ageism, ableism, classism, and all the rest. You can easily do this by avoiding generalizations. Instead specifically talk about how you experienced and felt in a situation. Avoid talking about why someone or something else made you feel a certain way...remember when you feel uncomfortable, that's about you. Listen to Boldly Went Podcast Ep. 35.
Don't imitate accents.
Don't say things like "It was amazing," or "It was so great," or "It was incredible." Duh, of course it was, that's why you're telling us about it. So get specific and tell us what made it all of those things.

Environment

Enthusiastic and encouraging audience.
Venues vary in size and and setting from formal halls to informal bars.
A microphone will be used.
Events will be audio and may be video recorded.
We require that storytellers paint their adventure stories using their words and the occasional prop.
We do not support the use of photo slide shows during the stories. Mainly because photos don't show well in the podcast. We love seeing your photos though, and we'll follow up with you by email after the show to get yours for sharing on our blog, Field Notes Pages, and social media.