Family Backpacking - Seattle - 2022

Backpacking Course

Family Backpacking

Backpack with your kids! This course is for parents with some backpacking experience who want to take their children (grade school to teenagers) backpacking and explore the wilderness opportunities here in the Pacific Northwest. Learn more about trip planning, trail tips, kid-oriented food, gear and safety recommendations. Plus, meet other families with the same interest.

Backpacking with your kids in the backcountry can be a rewarding adventure for children and parents alike.  Unplug, expose your kids to the joys of being outdoors, be together as a family, and watch your children mature into outdoor enthusiasts.

This course is for parents with some backpacking experience with grade school kids (ages 5-12 who want fun and adventure), or teens (ages 13-17 who are looking for challenges and skills)!  We are not going to cover the basics of adult backpacking; we will address the unique challenges of backpacking with children.

COURSE DETAILS

All course activities will be held in-person at the Mountaineers Seattle Program Center to facilitate community-building.  Parents must be Mountaineers members and must participate with their kids at the in-person sessions. 

Our plans may change if local authorities issue new guidance.  Due to  vaccination requirements, we are unable to include children less than 5yo who cannot be vaccinated.  Please see the COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS section below.

  • Lecture #1 on Thursday, April 07, 7:00-8:00 pm.  Our first interactive session  focuses on strategies for success including pre-trip planning, trip selection and pace, and kid-specific gear advice. 
  • Gearpalooza  on  Saturday, April 16, 9:00-2:00.  A recommended session focused on the latest backpacking gear.  In conjunction with the Basic Backpacking course, this "come explore" function will have stations covering stoves, tents, bags, water systems, etc.  Come see what is new and trade ideas for getting your family prepared.
  • Lecture #2 on  Thursday, April 28, 7:00-8:00 pm.  Our second interactive session focuses on safety, parental attitude, setting expectations, and resource and destination recommendations.
  • Shakeout Hike on Saturday,  May 07, various times in the morning. A strongly recommended session to practice  with your family.  In conjunction with the Basic Backpacking course, we will organize into staggered start times, then "load up and move out" to walk from the Seattle Program Center down into Magnuson Park.  This short hike will help you fine tune your kids' pack weight, practice setting up a (larger) tent with "help" from the children, get the kids involved with cooking, etc.

We hope to build a family-based backpacking community!  Leaders from both the  Seattle and Foothills Backpacking with Kids/Family Backpacking teams  are looking to build that community.  Later in the summer, some leaders will be offering backpacking trips designed for enrolled families  from both classes.  As space allows, families from both courses will be able to register for family backpacking trips.

Join us for this family friendly course that`ll get your kids excited to explore and share time with you outside.  The investment you make now will pay off in kids who are engaged, competent outdoor adventurers and advocates.  Plus, you can prepare for hours of family fun in the backcountry!

REGISTRATION DETAILS

  • Parents need to set up a family membership, add all your family members to your account and sign their waivers. After registration, make sure to complete the Youth Information Form (on kid's profile, will see a Youth Form button on the right).  Information here on setting up or changing to family membership. 
  • Register for the course by clicking on the Registration button at the right of this course listing. You will need to register each participating member of your family individually.  Having a registration for each family member allows us to comply with capacity constraints and liability/insurance requirements.
  • The course fee is $20/person.
  • If you have any questions or would like help with any part of this process, please don't hesitate to call the friendly folks at Mountaineers Member Services at 206-521-6001.

PREREQUISITES

  1. Backpacking Experience:  One of the parents (aka family leader) should feel comfortable erecting a tent, starting a stove, packing a backpack (i.e., weight distribution), and obtaining potable water. This is not a course for new backpackers.
  2. Conditioning:  One of the parents should already be knowledgeable and comfortable carrying a backpack for 4-6 hours per day.  For parents of small children, be aware you will be carrying more gear than in the past.
  3. Transportation:  Carpooling opportunities may not be available due to COVID-19 restrictions.  Families must be able to provide their own transportation to all in-person events at the Seattle Program Center.

COST

If you have not backpacked in a while and/or your children need new boots or coats, this course may require an investment of time and money.  Some big ticket purchases may include a (larger or better) tent, kids' packs, upgraded water systems, and/or a functional stove.  Some gear can be purchased used at local outdoor stores.  Some backpacking gear can also be checked out from the Mountaineers Gear Library

In order to give participants ample time to research and acquire gear, the course schedule straddles the Gearpalooza demo event.  Attendance at Gearpalooza is not mandatory but recommended if you wish to learn about new gear and technology options. 

This course concludes prior to the Family BP trips later in the summer.

COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS

Even though the COVID-19 situation continues to change rapidly, our goal is to keep the course as in-person and participatory as possible.   Therefore the course is open only to fully vaccinated participants and leaders (as age-approved by authorities).  This guidance may change due to local and Mountaineers guidelines and policies.  All participants will be asked to provide an image of their vaccination card.  If you wish, the image may have the details blocked out except for your name and your dosage dates.  We will provide details and a form closer to April.  As per Mountaineers policy, medical or religious exceptions will not be accepted.

For the 2022 season, all Seattle Backpacking courses and trips follow The Mountaineers COVID-19 Guidance , and  all participants must follow  The Mountaineers COVID-19 Code of Conduct .  

Badges you will earn:

Course Requirements

This course has no scheduled activities.

Roster
Required Equipment

none

Course Materials

There are no materials for this course.