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Hello HAZ members,

I've recently volunteered with my local BSA troop. I oversee a small group 12-14 year old kids. In our last meeting we talked about planning some overnight camp trips and all the kids wanted to try backpacking. Including leaders I'm the only one to have ever backpacked...ever! I'm going to spend the next few meetings educating the kids (and leaders) on backpacking. In the mean time I'm trying to think of a very easy, but rewarding, first trip from the boys. I'm thinking mileage wise under 5 would be good and 2-3 even better (does this seem right?). We would leave Friday after the kids are out of school and return Saturday evening. This time of year hiking into camp in the dark will be certain so keep that in mind. I spend most of my hiking/backpacking time in the northern country but I was thinking the superstitions might be a good place this time of year (Somehow I've never been to the sups). Fossil springs and Horton Creek keep coming to mind but I don't know if freezing temps is a smart intro to backpacking with inexperienced kids/leaders. I'm looking for suggestions on beginner trips please.

Hackberry loop in the superstitions from the First Water trail head horse lot. Lots of info on this site. Just do some searching through the posts...

I have been a Scouter myself, I worked with a backpacking-only troop, and I agree: 3 miles is a good distance to go in. I think Horton creek will be too cold right now. You want them to enjoy it and to learn to use their gear. You will have a lot of stuff falling off the packs, dangling sleeping bags, packs that don't fit, leaky water bottles, packs that are too heavy, etc.

What about gear? How are you going to outfit them without having to ask the parents to spend $500? I would say, go around to Salvation Army and Goodwill, etc. See if you can find some smaller old aluminum frame packs with waistbelts. Start a troop stash of gear that kids can borrow from. You can buy waistbelts for those old packs, also, I think the Scout shop can get them for you.

Check all their gear before you leave and make sure their mother has NOT put in the following (which their mothers WILL do): lots of socks and underwear, an extra pair of jeans, extra t-shirts, deodorant, canned food, candy, etc. etc. I definitely advise a total equipment check or you are going to have a 50 pound kid trying to hump a 40 pound pack for just a one-nighter!

Do patrol cooking. One stove per 8 boys, one big #10 can for the pot to cook in. Patrol also can use 1 water filter. This saves so much weight. Save money: eat ramen noodles, mac and cheese, french bread and peanut butter for lunch, oatmeal and raisins for breakfast, etc. If they get hungry enough they will eat it.

Our troop took a lot of pride on being the toughest bunch around, not tailgate camping sissies, etc. It took awhile to build that kind of attitude, though. When they get good enough, take them on the Catalina Challenge 50 miler or the Hohokam Trail 30 miler. Both hikes are in the Catalinas, contact Catalina Council for info.

Hey, now there are 3 heavy posters and 4 highly active HAZ members from Flagstaff.

Thanks for the replies so far. I plan on spending a few weeks educating the kids on backpacking followed by a Saturday day hike in the phoenix preserves (or similar) with full packs so the kids have an idea why weight is an issue. With a half dozen boys and a few leaders I plan on taking an jetboil with 1.5 lt pot and have that be the only stove. I will also carry my water filter for group use. Checking the packs will be done the Wed before the hike and left in our shed so no unapproved changes can be made.

Right on! Have fun!

SuperstitionGuy wrote:Hackberry loop in the superstitions from the First Water trail head horse lot. Lots of info on this site. Just do some searching through the posts...

I'll look into this. Thanks for the suggestions. Any others?

I second the Hackberry loop recommendation. Also, I suggest a little redundancy on the stove and water filters, both items you don't want to be without. One stove/pot to cook for "how many people" will take a lot of time and fuel.

I'll have to plan a menu to before I know how many stoves to take. I read the trail description on hackberry loop. Sounds simple enough. I'll go check out the trail in a few weeks.