Description:
Backpacking is the best way to explore, have fun, and truly appreciate the beautiful wilderness areas of the Texas Hill Country. The heart of this program will be two adventures: a backpacking trip into the rustic hills and canyons of Echo Hill Ranch, and a 2-3 day trek in Lost Maples State Park near Vanderpool. These adventures will require teenagers to learn to plan and map out successful wilderness experiences including, use of GPS and compasses for orienteering, basic and wilderness first aid skills, food/water preparation, and an outdoor ethic that respects wilderness ecology and natural habitats. No formal training or experience in backpacking is required, but participants should be in good health, love the out of doors and be motivated to work hard as a team member in a supportive outdoor environment.
For boys, ages 14-18 years old by June, 2009 or in the 9th -12th grade as of fall, 2009.
Program Coordinator for Hill Country Backpacking Adventure: Elliott Stixrud is a recent graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School in Wyoming and a Certified Wilderness First Responder. He’s been on the staff at Echo Hill as Coordinator of Backpacking and Ecology Programs for two summers and has developed a love for the rustic beauty of the Hill Country as well as a respect for its wilderness ecology. He enjoys working with teenagers in the outdoors because it’s where everyone can build their confidence, have fun, and learn backpacking and ecological skills all at the same time. Elliott graduated in 2007 from Denison University where he Coordinated Outdoor Backpacking and currently works as an environmental consultant in Washington, D.C.
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