A Volunteer's Day on the Road

A day on the road with the Boston Crusader summer tour is actually easier to describe if we begin right after a show.




Most events are evenings and by the time all of the show is over and scores are released, it can be 10:00 to 11:00. As the corps returns to the parking area, they change clothes and begin packing the equipment truck. During the last part of the show, the kitchen crew has prepared a nite snack and that is served. Finally, the corps work crews load-up and prepare the kitchen for the road. When all is ready, the corps buses depart immediately--the kids wind down on the buses and sleep.

Meanwhile, in the stadium, the souvie crew finishes up selling to the last fans and packs up the trailer. They will rendezvous with the main truck group which is usually ready to go by the time souvies is complete.

Once everything is ready to go, and all are on-board, the support convoy pulls out, headed for the next housing site. The kitchen crew sacks-out in their bunks in the U3, The destination might be anywhere from a few hours to 7-8 or more on long runs--it is close to midnite or perhaps later.

The convoys stops for fuel/coffee/potty breaks every couple of hours through the nite although at rest stops, the kids are not allowed to purchase anything. The two groups travel down the road separately this way to the next destination.

Upon arrival of the buses, which travel quite a bit faster, the kids and staff get their gear and set-up for a few more hours of "floor time" in the sleeping gym. Staff finds their assigned rooms and they also get some more sleep.

When the support convoy arrives, the kitchen truck is sited and connections made--depending upon amount of time before the breakfast call, the kitchen crew may continue to sleep on the U3 until needed, or they can also find a room site in the school. Often, they are just up and continue on to begin preparation for breakfast.

The souvie, U3, and semi drivers find assigned sleeping locations as soon as possible and are down for the count.

At breakfast time, schedules diverge. Drivers will continue to sleep into the afternoon--especially after long runs through the nite. Souvie crew will sleep but usually has to depart for the show venue ahead of the corps in order to set-up prior to the gate. Kitchen crew has been working since an hour or so prior to wake-up.

The daily board with schedule is set-up the nite before so everyone can see what the day's schedule is. The corps routine normally consists of stretch and conditioning, breakfast, rehearsal blocks lunch, rehearsal until ESL.

Eat, Shower, Load--the afternoon meal is served, kitchen clean-up begins, and pack and load. The volunteer crews try to schedule shower time off of the peak ESL times to avoid the shower rush from the corps. The corps cleaning groups clean and check the facility while the volunteer crew and drivers prepare to depart for the show venue which could be anywhere form a few minutes to an hour away.


Typically, the buses and the support trucks depart together since we all park in the same area. Upon arrival at the show site, the corps begins unpacking and setting up the pit equipment, getting into uniforms, and organizing for their warm-up.

The kitchen truck is again opened and configured to service the after-show snack. At this point, most volunteers will make their way to the show and check in with the souvie trailer. It's always appreciated by the souvie crew for others to give them a short break--it can get pretty hectic at times and they seem to be short-handed much of the time.

Finally, that part of the day many of us wait for..."Performing their 2008 show, NeoCosmos, from Boston, Massachusetts, The BOSTON CRUSADERS !!"

As the performance winds down, volunteers make their way back to the parking area. Final preparations are made for the snack service, and the corps sets about changing, loading, and celebrating (I really anticipate a BUNCH of celebrating this season!).

Once the snack is done and cleaned up, the corps are back on the buses and the buses depart. As the lot becomes quiet and empty, the last details are attended to by the drivers, the souvie van is packed and returns, and it is time to head down the road.


This is the routine for several days at a time. It becomes a mini vacation when the corps remains at a housing site for an extra day, since it frees up some extra time in the volunteer crew. Except for the kitchen folks--still four services per day. And there always seems to be something to fix, oil change, refuel the generator, track down replacement parts, find the post office.....well you get the picture. It doesn't let up--but it just might be the most fun you've had in along while.




My own take on it is that the most difficult part of the entire summer is explaining to your non-corps friends what is is and what I did, and why, and how much did they pay me??!!

Not really.. the most difficult part is saying good-bye to all of the great kids after finals.

Oh..and I almost forgot...the best part?? Getting to see those young men and women develop over the summer. Its kind of like taking a Polaroid...we just pushed the button--we don't get to see the final image until August 9th.

Curt