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Creating Seasons

Seasons are the foundation of organizing your wilderness program in BigBoard. They represent time periods when you run your programs.

What is a Season?​

A season in BigBoard represents a period of time during which your organization runs wilderness programs. Most organizations structure their seasons around:

  • Seasonal operations (e.g., "Summer 2024", "Fall 2024")
  • Academic years (e.g., "2024-2025 Academic Year")
  • Calendar years (e.g., "2024 Programs")

Why Seasons Matter​

Seasons help you:

  • Organize programs by time periods
  • Separate data from different operational periods
  • Generate reports for specific time ranges
  • Manage staff assignments across different periods
  • Track program evolution year over year

Creating Your First Season​

Coming soon! This section will include step-by-step instructions for:

  • Accessing the season management interface
  • Setting season parameters (name, start date, end date)
  • Configuring season-specific settings
  • Activating your season for program creation

Season Management Best Practices​

Naming Conventions​

Use clear, consistent naming for your seasons:

  • ✅ "Summer 2024"
  • ✅ "2024-2025 Academic Year"
  • ✅ "Fall Semester 2024"
  • ❌ "S24" (unclear abbreviation)
  • ❌ "Season 1" (non-descriptive)

Planning Ahead​

Consider creating seasons in advance to allow for:

  • Early program planning
  • Staff recruitment and scheduling
  • Equipment allocation
  • Marketing and registration timelines

Season Transitions​

Plan for smooth transitions between seasons:

  • Complete all reporting for the ending season
  • Archive completed data appropriately
  • Set up new season parameters before programs begin

Next Steps​

Once you've created your season, you're ready to define the types of trips your program will offer. Continue to the Trip Types section to learn more.