Course Description

Course Registration Requirement = This course is available to current 2023-2024 Longfellow Middle School Students in Grades 6, 7, 8. Parent must complete a course required application. To obtain the application please email Lila Planavsky at lplanavs@lacrossesd.org. Application MUST BE SUBMITTED before March 15th.

Students will learn the skill set of adventure backpacking and apply this knowledge during a 2-night camping trip.

Day 1 and Day 2: During the first two days, we will meet from 8:00 a.m.-12 p.m. in Lower Hixon Forest. Drop off and pick up will be at Forest Hills Golf Course. 8:00-12:00

These two days will focus on building and practicing the skill sets for backpacking and camping. We will practice setting up and taking down camp, and will be gaining confidence with hiking while carrying gear.

Students should be prepared to hike with elevation for a 4-6 mile hike. They should bring a backpack with shoulder straps that would work for a day hike, wear comfortable shoes or hiking boots, athletic clothes, pack a snack and lunch, and bring a water bottle with 32 oz. capacity.

Day 3: We will meet at Longfellow Middle School in front of the Rotunda at 9:00 a.m. We will travel to Yellow River State Forest, Paint Creek Campground for our first overnight education and camping at the campground.

Day 4: From the campground, we will prepare to journey by foot on a 14-mile (total over two days) hiking loop through the Paint Creek Unit. We will accomplish about half of our mileage as the first leg of this hike, then set up a wilderness camp for a night of forest camping.

Day 5: After wake-up, campers will pack up and continue onto the second and final leg of the trip, as we return to our starting location at Big Paint Creek Campground. We will load the bus at 12:00 and should return to Longfellow Middle School at approximately 1:00 p.m.