1. Incorporating Backpacking Into Your Unit Program
John Udall, Steve Campbell, Bill Miller

2. Credit Where Credit is Due:
This workshop is based on
“Planning your First Backcountry Trip”
by John Udall & Larry Blumberg,
University of Scouting 2008

3. Introductions
John Udall
Steve Campbell
Bill Miller

4. Incorporating Backpacking Into Your Unit Program
Overview
Preparation
Planning
Meeting ideas
Where to go
How far to go
Where to camp
Logistics
Emergency Preparedness
What to Bring
Time Management
Group Dynamics
Summary
Resources

5. Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance
Preparation – 6 ‘P’s
Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance

6. Planning Basic Questions: Who What Where When Why How
Who is going ? (adults, youth, & drivers, Any requirements? age, rank, physical fitness, schedule availability)
What are we doing? (Backpacking, or other backcountry trip)
Where are we going?
When? (Schedule date. Event conflicts?)
Why?
How? (What do we have to do to make this trip happen? How are we going to do it?)

7. Backpacking Troop Programs
Use troop meetings leading up to activity to plan & prepare (1 month = 3 – 4 meetings)
Different topic each meeting – tune to the skill-level, interest & needs of scouts.
Hands-on activities. Keep it fun!
“How-To” preparations. Be Prepared!
Use troop meetings for planning. Plan Ahead!
Some Troop Meeting Ideas
Packing Demo (show & tell)
Pack weight
Pack shakedown
Pack fitting (internal & external frame packs)
Backpacking food & food preparation
Stoves – how-to
First Aid for blisters, hot-spots & sprains
Footwear for backpacking (boots & socks)
Boot Care (cleaning & waterproofing)
Navigation (Map & Compass)

8. Where To Go? Some Ideas: Finger Lakes Trail Adirondacks Catskills
fltconference.org
Adirondacks
Catskills
Allegany National Forest
See also:
“Where to go hiking & backpacking” (Period 2 – Larry Blumberg)
Get the appropriate Maps & Guidebook
Google where you’re going.
Some Questions:
Do you need permits?
Group size limits?

9. How Far to Go? (part 1) Depends on age/experience/fitness
5 (beginner), 10 (intermediate)or 12 (advanced)miles per day
Consider distance and altitude gain
Start out with 5, 6 or 7 miles
Tie to 5-mile hike (2nd Class Requirement)

10. How Far to Go? (part 2) Calculating how far how fast
20 minutes = 1 mile :: No pack, flat trail or road, walking briskly
30 minutes = 1 mile :: Light pack, flat trail
60 minutes = 1 mile :: Rough Trail, lots of up and down, heavy pack or group moving slowly. (Typical for first backpacking trip)

11. How Far to Go (part 3) Other Considerations:
How far to hike in Friday night?
How far to hike out Sunday morning?
Loop vs. end-to-end?

12. Build-up Gradually Day-hike 5 miles
Backpacking 1-night overnight (Sat. night)
Start Sat. AM, backpack 5 miles, camp Sat. night.
Backpacking 1-night overnight (Fri. night)
Hike in short distance, camp Fri. night. Break-camp Sat. AM, backpack 5 miles to pickup Sat. PM.
Backpacking 2-nights (Fri. PM – Sun. AM)
Hike in short distance, camp Fri. night. Break-camp Sat. AM, backpack 5-7 miles. Camp Sat. night. Sun. AM hike short distance to pickup.

13. Where To Camp? State Land – Wilderness “Leave No Trace (LNT)” campsite
Established campsite – fire-ring, impacted site.
Lean-to / camping area
Location of Water Sources?
Is the water running? Water source may be dry in Summer.

14. Logistics Car Placement: Pick-up meeting time (end of trip)
Drivers (meet at pickup location vs. drivers hike with group.
Ferrying cars (for end- to-end hike) takes LOTS of time.
Emergency Preparedness:
Take out points (along the way)
Cell phone coverage?
Leave copy of itinerary with contact person (not on trip)

15. Campout Plan Form
Handout

16. What to Bring? Gear (personal & group) Food
Water (2- 4 litres per person per day)
Stoves
Minimize weight
Re-package food in advance (before the trip)

17. Time Management Time is a constant issue when backpacking.
Breaking camp in the AM
Quick meals and cleanup
Working efficiently on camp tasks
Moving efficiently as a group
Getting to destination early enough to setup camp.
Arriving on-time at pickup meeting point (end of trip)

18. Group Dynamics Keeping the group together How fast to hike?
Point & Sweep roles
Water breaks / bio breaks
Hiking with diverse groups (age, size, fitness, maturity, experience, etc.)

19. Summary Themes: Build it into your Troop Meeting Program
Planning / Preparation – “Be Prepared”
Efficiency
Time
Weight (reducing gear weight)

20. Resources The Boy Scout Fieldbook
“The Complete Walker IV” – Colin Fletcher & Chip Rawlins (2002)
“Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills” – The Mountaineers. 6th edition (1997)
The Internet / Google