Learn2 Backpack - Class April 22; Experience May 6-7

4/22/2017 to 5/7/2017 | Route 66 State Park | Eureka, MO

What is Learn2 Backpack?

Learn2 Backpack is a comprehensive classroom and outdoor training  course designed to introduce you to backpacking, familiarize you with  backpacking gear, prepare you for a backpacking experience, and introduce you to the backpacking trails and camps in Missouri State Parks in preparation for better backpacking adventures.

Attendance is required for both sessions in order to participate.

Session 1- Saturday, April 22, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. - Route 66 State Park, Eureka

• We will be meeting at Route 66 State Park. This is a classroom session that will go over the basics of backpacking and prepare participants for the overnight session.

Session 2- Saturday, May 6, 10 a.m. – May 7, 11 a.m. - Meramec State Park, Sullivan

• We will be meeting at Meramec State Park to apply what you learned in the backpacking class with a guided overnight experience.

Who should attend?

Anyone interested in an introduction to backpacking.  This course is an introduction that will help prepare you for trips in our beautiful Missouri back country and beyond. You will come away with a level of confidence and the right gear decisions to enhance your outdoor experiences and learn valuable skills and information that will allow you to more confidently move forward with your goal. 

What will I learn?

This course will take you through the steps required to make you a confident and safety conscious backpacker. You will learn how to select and purchase properly fitted backpacking gear, trip planning skills, route finding and navigation, packing and camp set up skills, camp cooking and meal selection, water treatment methods, and many other useful trail skills that will allow you to become a confident hiker and backpacker.

What does it cost?

This one-day classroom course and overnight outdoor experience , where you can try out what you’ve learned, is only $25 per person.  All gear, excluding food, is provided for the overnight outdoor experience.

How to Register?

Registration is now full. To be put on a waitlist,  please contact Kendra Varns Wallis at kendra.wallis@dnr.mo.gov. 

Please bring the $25 participation fee to class on April 22. Participants will receive a confirmation email after registration has been completed (please allow two days for processing). The confirmation email will include a detailed agenda and map/directions to Route 66 and Meramec state parks. 

Physical Activity Guide:

Please be advised that backpacking requires moderate physical skill/endurance. Participants will be walking on tread surfaces at times that contain roots, embedded rocks and have elevation change. Your cardiovascular fitness and leg strength will be of the utmost importance, so running, hikes and walking uphill with a weighted pack are all great ways to prepare.