Young Explorer's Club | 2021 Session 1

This series is gear towards 9-13 year olds that would like to build the skills to hike, and backpack. Starting. The lessons will start  

This outing will introduce participants to the basics of,  backcountry hiking. We will use a front country trail, and fire tower to take our first steps. This will allow us to discuss, and discover any opportunities with gear, or skills before we head off into the wilds of the backcountry. We will review The 10 essentials, the hiker responsibility code, our role in an emergency, and leave no trace. Additionally we will hike the ridge trail, and the fire tower to show  participants to what they will encounter on the trails. Our team will help participants evaluate their gear, skills, and comfort. We will provide suggestions to build skills, adjust equipment, and tools to ensure safety and comfort on future trips.

Take to the trails surrounding John Burroughs' Slabsides as Spring blossoms, and blooms around us, we will build our skills and endurance on the trail. We will teach the basics of map reading, and continue to review how your equipment works as we build a foundation of  physical strength, and knowledge to carry us further afield with each adventure.

This lesson will discuss, and practice our role in backcountry emergencies.  We will continue to build on our map reading skills with some navigation basics, We will cover topics ranging from what. to do if you are lost, injured, or stuck outdoors unexpectedly. 

This trip will focus on route planning. our destination, a fire tower can be reached by several trails. We will spend time evaluating the routes, before choosing our path. in the end we will enjoy a beautiful 260 panorama with views of the Hudson River, and the Catskills. The skills gained here will help participants understand how to estimate the time, effort, and supplies required to safely take any trip.

This trip will take us farther into the backcountry we will, build the skills that can keep us going further afield without over burdening ourselves with heavy packs. While we will have to consume more water,  food, and equipment, we can build the skills to efficiently carry a lightweight pack that will meet all of our needs. We will cover water purification, shelter, and food during this trip. 

Prior to the trip we will review the routes, and participants will learn submit a trip plan. This plan will include a packing list, and emergency plan. The participants will have also calculated the estimated time, total mileage, and elevation changes for the trip. we will evaluate the trip plans before, and after the outing to see what we can adjust, and learn from.