This is a word that I include in all of my presentations to classes throughout the country. It is an integral part of this great race, sport, and Alaskan lifestyle in general. It’s interesting though, when I talk to classes of all ages, it is very difficult for them to read this word. Some have heard of it before, but can’t explain it. And a vast majority have no idea what it means. 

Talking “camaraderie” with a group in SC.

I love talking about this word. It relates so well to what we, as educators, strive for in our own classrooms. We always try to develop our “classroom community”. Some call it their classroom family, some their team or similar phrase, but we all want the students to be able to depend on each other and help each other whenever possible. It is something that has a phenomenal impact on students when they are able to see it happen in real time. 

This idea of camaraderie has already been seen on multiple occasions throughout the early stages of this race. Some of the most notable instances have been with repairing broken sleds.

Anna Berington broke a runner on her sled during the early parts of the race. She was able to do a quick makeshift repair until she could borrow a drill at Rainy Pass Lodge. She was able to use a couple plates and screws to get the sled a little more sturdy so it would make it all the way to McGrath where she had an extra sled waiting for her. She even joked that she would now have a summer project to do – fixing the sled. If it wasn’t for the helpful nature of the people at the lodge, her sled might not have survived the Dalzell Gorge or the Farewell Burn, two of the most difficult sections of the trail.

Michelle Phillips is another musher who had to deal with a broken sled. She, however, did not have the luxury of a second sled waiting for her at another checkpoint. In talking with a few other mushers about her situation, Ryan Redington made an honorable gesture, and let Michelle borrow his extra sled for the remainder of the race. Knowing that his current sled was in good shape, he would not need the other one, and in the true spirit of the Iditarod, helped a fellow musher and competitor. 

A final act of kindness happened when Martin Buser lost his bag of electronics. Apparently, he had a number of “yard sales” during his run from Rohn to Nikolai. This is a term for what happens when the sled tips over and all of the contents spill out around you. Buser described this one as one of the worst in his 38 years of running Iditarod, as he was even bounced from his sled at one point. During one of these events, his electronics bag went missing. It wasn’t until he made it to McGrath that the bag was returned to him by fellow musher, Lisbet Norris who had picked it up along the way. 

DeeDee Jonrowe repacking her sled in 2011. Photo Credit: Terrie Hanke

It is simple gestures like these that make this event, this sport and this community of mushers so incredible. As I tell the students when presenting about camaraderie, it simply amazes me that these competitors, people they are racing against and trying to beat, will actually help one another during the race itself. Again, this is something that all teachers try to do in our classrooms. Thank you to the mushers, volunteers, and communities of the Iditarod for being that amazing example to show future generations. 

During my presentations, another thing that I point out to students are the rules, and how there are a couple of rules written into the rulebook each year to help promote these qualities. Rule #22 is called the Sportsmanship Rule, and #23 is the Good Samaritan Rule. This is the only professional sport that I know of, that has rules like these actually written into the rulebook. I truly admire that about the Iditarod. You can read more about the other rules of the race here: https://cloud.iditarod.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2022-Race-RULES.pdf?06b61599

Saving the best for last, I can happily report that I tested negative today and I am looking forward to getting out on the trail very soon! Thank you again to everyone who has reached out, or simply had me in your thoughts. It was truly appreciated and I can’t wait to share more stories from the trail as soon as possible. 

Teachers: Use the following video to share with your class about the importance and impact that a simple act of kindness can have on another. It is a great life lesson that can have a real effect on students. https://iditarod.com/video/michelle-philips-gets-helping-hand/