Backpacking School

NOTE: Registration for the 2024 season can be found here: https://www.cmc.org/groups-sections/front-range-groups/denver/course-templates/backpacking-school/bkps-denver-2024 

The 2023 Season has wrapped up!

Registration for the Backpacking School requires the completion of the Wilderness Trekking School Badge (Or existing WTS / DHS student) or WTS Waiver (found under the Course Materials).

Note: You can register to be put on the wait list for this school once it is full. If an opening happens you will be contacted in the order you are in the wait list to sign up.

Any questions about this please contact cmcbackpacker@gmail.com

Buying Gear for the school?
Remember, CMC Members have access to Pro Deals through Expert Voice, go to this link for more info! https://www.cmc.org/members-volunteers/member-benefits/my-benefits 

Overview:
The Backpacking School is broken up into smaller groups to order to give the attention and detail needed for these topics. These groups are between 7-10 students in size with 2-4 Instructors. To organize these groups before the first class a Student Survey will be sent out before the first class.

Registration is currently limited to 38 students based on the number of groups we have leader/instructors for.  There will be a wait list that forms when the school is at capacity in the event we add another group before the start of the school. 

Schedule for the 2023 Class is:

Lectures

Class 1 – Tuesday, June 6 – In-Person at the AMC in Golden

Class 2 – Tuesday, June 13 – Virtual/In-Person based on group preferences

Class 3 – Tuesday, June 20 – Virtual/In-Person based on group preferences

       (All classes begin promptly at 6:30 PM and end by 9:30 PM or earlier.)

Trips

Field Day #1 – Saturday, June 17 – All School – At AMC in Golden

Field Day #2 – Overnight – June 24–25

Field Day #3 – Overnight – July 8–9

Field Day #4 – 3-day / 2-nights – Dates to be determined by each group.

The Basic Backpacking School topics include:

• Gear and clothing
• Camp craft and skills
• Cooking, nutrition and stoves
• Organizing your: trip, pack, tent and camp
• Navigation
• Basic first aid
• Staying warm
• Leave No Trace principles
• Packing and packing lighter
• Avoiding problems with animals and weather

The CMC Backpacking instructors are passionate and experienced hikers who love the outdoors, enjoy sharing their knowledge, and deeply know their gear and skills.