First Time Cook Truck Volunteers – Our recap and experience.

Lindy and I recently did a tour on the Colts Cook Truck. It was an amazing experience. So much so that we thought it worthy of sharing. First off, if you were thinking of volunteering (sign up at colts.cooks@comcast.net), this post should be an affirmation that this is a good idea. If you don’t think you have time or are worried it may be too difficult I would hope this would make you reconsider. There is also an excellent Rules of the road document for volunteers located here. It is more tactical on what you should bring and expect.

We joined the tour at Music on the March in Dubuque. We set down our stuff, walked on the truck and were handed serving implements and all the supplies to serve some 250+ members (Colts + Colt Cadets) pie and ice cream. That was a LOT of Pie!!! If you’re concerned you won’t know what to do when you get there trust, this is a non-issue. This was part of meal 4 (the meal was Nuggets and Fries). After meal 4 we started clean-up and after we cleaned a group of Colts members who are assigned to the Cook Truck come and close the truck up and secure it for travel. Turns out every member is assigned to a group to do various jobs from the cook truck to marking the field, loading the luggage the list goes on. This on top of the 16 hours days they put in.

After we were done there we went to look for our ride, the Grey Van, known as Van de Mere the Grey (no clue on spelling this was just how Eric introduced the vehicle). This of course, is not to be confused with the other Van, Vanna White (bet you can’t guess the color). Each volunteer gets their very own van seat to call their own. This is where you get a good portion of your sleep.

Our first chauffer was Eric Rochman. Eric is Colts alum that marched euphonium last year. Eric is a very bright and witty young man that happily answered our un-ending questions about all things Colts. Eric, along with Alex Giddings, last year’s drum major, are both interns and assistant tour directors. Their jobs are many. They coordinate travel, direct the convoy (4 busses, 2 semis, and 2 vans), logistics for the housing sites, ferry sick members to the clinic, etc. They both have a passion for the corps and technology, posting Colts information on Facebook and Twitter. I reuse a lot of the content for the blog as well so if you see them, thank them! Alex also installs CB radios in the vehicles and even does some light interpreting when needed. We were very impressed with communications skills and professionalism of these young men.

On this occasion our Van was missing! Whoa, we just got there and had no ride. Needless to say, it was out for gas or some such and showed up 30 minutes later or so. We jumped on board to find that one of the busses the Colts normally use (it has a name of course – Twit) was in for repairs and the bus that replaced it held slightly fewer members so we had some Colts members in our Van. It was entertaining and informative to listen to the members talk about their day but they were respectfully quiet when we laid down and closed our eyes. Our drive to Oswego IL was roughly 4 hours so we got a little sleep. We arrived in Oswego as the sun was starting to come up. We followed Ray Morgan into the room designated for volunteers, set up our mattress and went to sleep for a couple hours. On that day the members slept in (we didn’t leave Dubuque till after 1:00 AM) till 9:30 so we were cooking breakfast on the truck @ 7:30. This is the normal routine, figure wake time for the members subtract 1.5-2 hours and that is when you have to be on the truck.

Breakfast, we learned, was no time for jokes as the young men and women were not yet on top of their game or fully awake for that matter. Meal 2 was different as the kids were alert, had worked up a sweat and an appetite. They line up and step up to the truck and are served by a row of eager volunteers. They are red-faced, hungry and tired but still manage a smile and some even belt out a hearty “Thank you Parents” which caused us to feel much less tired.

Peanut butter, Jelly and bread are out with every meal and man do they go through it!!! For breakfast, cereal and milk are offered as well. They seem to flock to the sugary cereals like Cookie Crips and Lucky Charms. Cheers erupt upon the appearance of the last couple boxes of Frosted Flakes. There is a supply of Cheerios on the truck with which you could construct a small village. I guess whole grains can wait till August. When you work this hard you deserve Frosted Flakes!

As we finished breakfast we immediately begin preparations for the next meals. As Dale C informed us, it is always best to start the prep for the next 3 meals ASAP. This is when Cook Truck 101 really started. We worked with a pretty veteran crew. Rod Russeau, whose son is in his 6^th and age out year, patiently showed us the ropes. Rod is very knowledgeable about the cook truck having done many tours. Yet still very humble and laid back and super effective. His son, Frenchie, is the trumpet leader and we hear he possesses the same quiet and effective leadership skills as his dad.

After our orientation we were super impressed with Dale Carlton’s knowledge of the Cook Truck and how he was always thinking ahead. I imagine that without Dale we would have had to work even harder to stay on schedule. With his coaxing we were normally preparing 2-3 meals at the same time so when it came time to server we were ready. Dale’s son is a Contra player and while we were on tour he received the garden gnome which is given by your peers for a great performance. Michigan City was his and the show was awesome.

This is also where we started to notice that we had a great Head cook in Debbie Lowman. Debbie was a tireless leader. With so many personalities all together in one small space Debbie kept us all flowing toward the same common goal of keeping the members fed and comfortable.

Meal 2 was Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Fries, and Fruit. By this time we would have had several other things cooking while we served. I think that was the first time we realized that Lisa Myers had an incredible commitment to know and befriend each and every member. Members would come through the line and ask her to fix their uniform, Shakos, Hangers, you name, it. While Lisa has no child in the corps she works as hard as or harder than anyone to make the corps go!

After meal 2 the members get back out on the field and practice and run through the show. Then we serve up Meal 3. We all pack up and head to the show site. This is the same evolution as packing to leave for another housing site. Everything has to be packed (you aren’t coming back after all), and secured for travel. Once you get to the show, you unpack and get ready for meal 4 and the show. Volunteers always get to see the Colts show. It is one of the highlights of the day.

During all this packing and unpacking it became apparent that Cindy Barshinger was quietly getting a ton of work done so efficiently you hardly noticed. She is a quiet force with all the sunshine of a great preschool teacher that kept moving diligently from replenishing to cleaning to setup and breakdown and then cheerfully moved on to the next task.

Once you are prepped and setup for meal 4 you get to head over to see the Colts show (make sure to cheer LOUDLY). It is a great way to recharge for the last run of work before sleep. We served Meal 4 and packed up to head to Cedarburg WI.

This was how the next few days went as they were all show days. You arrive in the early morning, sleep as late as the schedule allows, start the day with breakfast and the next two meals, show, meal 4 and Travel to the next housing. It was a pretty frenetic pace to say the least.

That brings us to the 4^th of July. This day was pretty easy with the exception of the morning. We arrived after 2:30AM to find out that breakfast was @ 7:30 and we needed to feed the Colt Cadets again. This means a hot breakfast for 250+ members. Not easy to get done in 4 hours so we stayed up till 4:30AM with prep, took an hour nap and got up to cook and get ready for 7:00 service. After which we took a nap as all the members were marching in parades. We ordered Pizza (48 to be exact) when they got back (another break for the cooks J). We took the opportunity to do some much needed cleaning around the cook truck. Some parents also stopped by for the day to help so we took our son Jacob to dinner at his favorite place – Buffalo Wild Wings. We knew it would be some time till we saw him again.

A new crew of parents also came on in Chicago. Among them was the next head cook, Jack Wong. Jack is a no nonsense, get it done machine that made being head cook, no easy task by far, look like a walk in the park. This earned him the name “Super Jack” from the veteran parents.

We are so grateful to have our son learning the values of the corps – Excellence, perseverance, efficiency, sacrifice. We have already seen a change in him. We are also grateful for my mother who was able to watch our youngest so we could have this opportunity.

We understand the honor and responsibility of posting for the virtual cook truck blog. So many of you have given great support and feedback. We know that for many it is the only way for you to stay informed of the daily activities of your son, daughter or loved one. We feel privileged.

In closing, this was the experience of a lifetime. We have never made so many meals, washed so many dishes, or worked on our feet with no break for so long, yet we would and plan to do it again when we get the chance.

We have come to learn that the cook truck does more than nourish the members bodies. It nourishes their souls, and spirits. They know they can come to the truck for advice about an ailment, or just an encouraging word from the volunteers who witness daily, and best understand their personal sacrifice. If you want to understand what your child is learning from their experience with the Colts, Hop on board the cook truck. You really have to see it to believe it.

Finally – We have also learned a very practical lesson for our very own kitchen. When in doubt Spray the pan!!!!

Thanks,

Josh and Lindy Schroeder

P.S. If you want anything posted, if you volunteer, or just stop by, send it our way and I will post it.