FRONT COUNTRY BACKPACKING

Course Title: Front Country Backpacking
Course #: CS 3020*01
Dates: Sept 2-3
Instructor: Julie Davidson
Minimum Age: 18
Max # participants: 12
Location: Spear-O-Wigwam and hiking/camping in the Big Horn National Forest
Participant Cost: $169

Course Description: Get away from it all and join us for an introduction to front country exploration.  Lean the basic dos, don’ts and must haves for an overnight backpacking trip in the mountains.  This course is intended for the amateur backpacker. We will use Spear-O-Wigwam as a base, but be spending the night in the Big Horn National Forest.  We’ll depart from Sheridan College Golden Dome parking lot at 8 am and return at 3 pm the following day.

How to sign up: In-Person or Phone. SIGN UP EARLY!  COLLEGE SUMMER HOURS ARE M-Th, 7:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M.
Sheridan College Office of the Registrar – Sheridan College Campus – (307) 674-6446 x 2200
Sheridan College Workforce & Training Development Office – Sheridan College Downtown (307) 674-6446 x 4501
Gillette College Records Office – Gillette College Campus (307) 686-0254 x 1431 or x 1432
Sheridan College in Johnson County – (307) 684-2001

Sorry for any inconvenience, currently we do not have an option for on-line registration.

Skills Learned:

  • Planning
  • Packing your pack
  • Dressing for the outdoors
  • First Aid
  • Regulations & Permits
  • Wilderness vs. National Forest
  • Trail Etiquette
  • Wild Animals
  • Stream Crossing
  • Leave No Trace practices
  • How to select a campsite
  • Map & Compass
  • Camp set-up
  • Camp Fire
  • Food selection & camp cooking

Course Schedule:

  • Sept 2
  • 8 am – Depart from Sheridan College Golden Dome parking lot
  • 9 am – Arrive Spear-O-Wigwam, discussion of planned trip, pack our packs & pack lunch
  • 10:30 – Hit the trail & stop paying attention to the clock
  • Hike, find camp site, set up camp, cook dinner, eat s’mores, sleep
  • Sept 3
  • Wake up, eat breakfast, tear down camp, hike
  • 12 pm – Arrive back at Spear-O-Wigwam, eat lunch and discuss our adventure
  • 2 pm – Leve from Spear-O-Wigwam
  • 3 pm – Arrive at Sheridan College

 

Participant Equip List:

  • Pack
  • Jacket (light weight, packable & waterproof)
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Hiking boots or closed toed hiking shoes
  • Sleeping Pad
  • Wool or wool-synthetic blend socks x2 pair
  • Headlamp / Light
  • Extra underwear – preferably synthetic
  • Sunglasses
  • Synthetic hiking pants, capris or shorts x2
  • Hat
  • Synthetic short sleeve shirt
  • Sun screen
  • Synthetic long sleeve mid weight shirt
  • Water bottle
  • Fleece pull over or zip up top
  • Bandana
  • Journal
  • Optional: Insect repellent, Hiking pole, Knife / Multi-tool, Tent (provided, but if you’d like to bring & pack your own, feel free)

What to expect when staying @ Spear-O-Wigwam:

Travel

– All participants will be expected to meet at the Sheridan College Golden Dome 10 minutes prior to departure time. Students are allowed to drive their own vehicle, or transportation will be provided to Spear-O-Wigwam. Please indicate at time of registration as to how you intend on traveling.

Meals

– All meals, snacks and drinks will be provided while staying at Spear-O-Wigwam. Please let us know if you have any allergies or specific requirements when you register for a course.

Lodging

– Excluding Front Country Backpacking and Wilderness Survival, all Summer 2011 class participants will be housed in Spear-O-Wigwam cabins.

Equipment

– Upon registration, each student will be given an equipment list provided by the course instructor.

Fishing

– Course participants are welcome to fish during their free time at Spear-O-Wigwam; however, you must provide your own fishing equipment and have a current Wyoming fishing license. (There will be no place to purchase one once you are at Spear-O)