Introduction to Backpacking Program

MDC’s Backpacking Program is an introduction to basic outdoor skills. Campers in this program will enjoy becoming part of a cohesive team and learn to support each other through challenges during a 3-day back country trip. (Learn about our Junior Leaders Program for 12 to 14 year-olds).

While exploring the wonders of Front Range Wilderness Areas, backpackers will learn to rely on themselves, each other, and nature.

Caring camp counselors with backgrounds in child development in a wilderness setting lead age-appropriate activities such as: hiking, camp cooking, navigation, crafts, and music.

Program Highlights

Schedule: Monday & Tuesday are spent hiking trails in the Front Range and in Boulder at Base Camp planning and preparing for the backpack trip, which takes place Wednesday - Friday.

Monday & Tuesday: Trip planning, training hikes, menu planning, trail etiquette, ‘Leave No Trace’ environmental ethics.

Wednesday - Friday (On the Trail) : campsite selection and set-up, hiking and route planning, plant and animal identification, astronomy

Sample Session Calendar

Monday: In Eldorado Canyon - Steep Hike- introduction to trip and gear, hike with a backpack, backpack fitting, teambuilding
Tuesday: Long Hike- pack packing, hike with weighted pack, more backpack fitting, teambuilding, pack for Wednesday
Wednesday: Depart for backpacking trip, backpack into camp site, set up camp, cook meals
Thursday: Out on the trail - hiking, cooking, exploring
Friday: Return to Boulder in the late afternoon

Transportation

Monday & Tuesday: Campers are picked up and dropped off at one of three central locations in Boulder on the way in to and out of Eldorado Canyon.

Wednesday - Friday: We will pack up our 15-passenger van with all the gear and campers and staff and head out on the trail! Counselors have been trained and have practice in driving these types of vehicles.

Daily Transitions

Opening the day:

Monday and Tuesday base camp day camp days help campers build a solid foundation as a group before they depart.
Name games and teambuilding challenges help break down barriers and prepare campers for a 3-day group living experience. We will discuss and prepare for: backpack packing, camp stove cooking, sanitation in the outdoors, hiking techniques, bear bagging food.

Campers are expected to bring all items they will be taking on their trip to camp with them on Tuesday so they can pack their packs and be ready to depart immediately on Wednesday morning.

Closing the day:

Each day wraps up with stories and quieter camp songs that help campers unwind and get ready to share their days with their families. On the way out of camp, campers sing quieter camp songs and debrief their day with each other and their counselors.