There's a great outdoors blog on startribune.com. Today I was reading about a Voyageurs program and this is what it said about having success on the trail.

"The most successful are the ones that take care of everybody else first. They make sure that the other person has the biggest chunk of food or the lighter load or the better sleeping space or the drier spot to sit. The logic is that you have eight people taking care of you."

Never thought of it that way and it's a great philosophy.

I like that spirit! Especially when I'm going solo!

philosophically 'family-friendly' stuff. exactly... how do they arrive at a decision?
Oddly, to the mindset of a soloist, the thought of 7 people making sacrifices & efforts for my camping trip to be fulfilling is questionable as being a pleasant experience.
:-|
I have become a grumpy old man.

I get being considerate of others. But, unless your group all have the same experience level, I don't see that working. And as mjm says "how do you make a decision" You can have the good tent pad, no- you take the good tent pad, no-you take it! Sounds like an argument waiting to happen. . . I having taken several newbs on trips and I want them to enjoy it as much as I do, so I try to be considerate. But, there still are leaders and followers. Just my opinion.

Folks might be missing SkiYee's point. Putting others first is just one of those ways things get better for everyone. It doesn't mean you're paralyzed into a long, drawn out battle over who gets that great tent pad or hammock space. It's more like: notice what would help the group and just do it. Pitch in. Work hard. Get dirty. Lend a hand.

Larger groups do work okay, too... IF folks get this simple aspect of being part of that group.