Backpacking & Hiking 
Description
Backpacking & Hiking is a national 4-H project. It features curriculum that will guide you through the project. For a copy contact your County 4-H Office or order online at National 4-H Service Supply. For additional curriculum possibilities, explore the National Directory of 4-H Materials and do a key word search for Backpacking & Hiking.
Backpacking & Hiking 1
What you can do in this project: plan a day hike, select items and plan the food; learn to organize and pack a backpack; select appropriate clothing; prepare a first-aid kit; learn to use a compass; prepare for dangerous weather.
Grades: 3-5
Resource: 08043, Hiking Trails
Backpacking & Hiking 2
What you can do in this project: plan a camping trip; select equipment, including shelter; plan a camping trip menu and prepare supplies; practice “Leave No Trace” principles while hiking; study various organism habitats.
Grades: 6-8
Resource: 08044, Camping Adventures
Backpacking & Hiking 3
What you can do in this project: select group backpacking gear including a tent; design a non-tent backpacking shelter; develop a personal conditioning program; learn to orient a map and use triangulation.
Grades: 9-12
Resource: 08045, Backpacking Expeditions
Backpacking & Hiking Leader
Resources: 08046, Outdoor Adventures Helper’s Guide
4H500, I'm a 4-H Project Leader. Now What Do I Do?
Program Safety Regulations
All 4-H members and leaders (adult or youth) participating in
the adventures project or activities, such as rock climbing/repelling
and ropes adventure courses, must use protective or safety equipment,
including approved safety helmets. Refer to the Program Safety section
for specific requirements for this project.
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Events
Want to learn more about Backpacking? Try the links below.
Adventure Trips
Let’s go on an adventure! The best way to learn about
the environment is to experience it! Staff at the Upham
Woods 4-H Environmental Education Center offer backpacking activities
and camps.
Backpacking Project Training
Many counties hold local training for members and leaders in
their favorite project areas, including backpacking. Watch your
county 4-H Family newsletter or contact your county Extension office
for details.
Wisconsin 4-H and Youth Conference
If you’re in grades 8-10, check out the next Wisconsin
4-H and Youth Conference, scheduled each June at the UW-Madison
campus. The conference offers educational seminars in most areas
of 4-H. Contact your county Extension office for details.
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Activity Plans 
Learning by doing . . . that’s been the 4-H way for 100 years!
Dive into these fun Backpacking and Hiking activities. Select the file for a
complete lesson plan.
 Hiking Series - Gearing Up! (4 pages, 108 KB)
Learn how to identify and select the proper gear or equipment for a healthy, safe and successful hiking or backpacking trip.- Hiking Series - Leave No Trace (9 pages, 252 KB)
Learn the seven principles of Leave No Trace (LNT), which promotes and inspires responsible hiking, backpacking and other outdoor recreation activities.
- Hiking Series - Planning Your Trek (7 pages, 108 KB)
Learn how to plan, organize and lead a day hike or backpacking trip.
- Hiking Series - Survival Skills (13 pages, 205 KB)
Learn the seven basic surival needs of our bodies; discover the materials that will help us meet these needs to survive emergency situations, especially when hiking and backpacking.
- Orienteering (4 pages, 136 KB) Use a compass to navigate a course.
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County Fair
The county fair . . . what a great time it is! Every summer, families
flock to county fairs to see the latest 4-H project exhibits. Exhibiting
is a fun and educational way for youth to showcase their project
work to judges and to the public. Judging materials are supported by Bill Shaw in memory of his wife, Shirley.
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Related Links
There’s so much more to learn in the 4-H Backpacking Project.
Just follow these links!
American Hiking Society
As the “national
voice” for America’s hikers, American Hiking Society
promotes and protects foot trails and the hiking experience.
GORP: Great Outdoor Recreation
Page
Resource for outdoor recreation, including hiking, biking,
rafting, camping and fishing, with information on attractions, outdoor
gear, adventure travel, and national parks and wilderness areas.
Go Wild With Wisconsin Wildcards
An activity kit from the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources that includes more than 250 "trading cards," featuring some of Wisconsin's plants, wildlife and special places. Great resource for helping Wisconsinites (of all ages) get to know their state and its natural resource issues.
Ice Age Park & Trail
Foundation
Aim is to protect, promote, build and maintain the Ice Age
Trail, a 1,000-mile scenic footpath established in Wisconsin to
tell the story of the Ice Age and continental glaciation. This site
features trail information, news and resources for hikers.
Mapquest
Source of directions and maps for trips.
National 4-H Online Outdoor Adventures Project
Visit this site for additional National 4-H Outdoor Adventures Project activities, information and links.
National Outdoor Leadership School
Source for outdoor skills and leadership courses.
National Park Service
Find out more about our national parks. Find a park to visit.
Oconto County 4-H Project Resources
This web site provides links for many natural resources projects
including links for fun project ideas on backpacking.
Superior Hiking Trail Association
The Superior Hiking Trail is a 205-mile footpath that follows
the rocky ridgeline above Lake Superior in northeastern Minnesota.
This site offers trail information, photos and FAQ’s.
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture: Forest Service
National Forests and Grasslands offer a diversity of outdoor
opportunities.
U.S. Orienteering Federation
Volunteer organization supporting orienteering in the U.S.
Orienteering is the skill of navigating through an unknown area
with the use of a map and compass.
Wisconsin 4-H SET
Resources and links to science, engineering, and technology activities.
Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources
The Wisconsin State Park System provides places for outdoor
recreation and for learning about nature and conservation. About
14 million people a year visit our state parks, forests, trails,
and recreation areas.
Wisconsin Dept. of Tourism
Wisconsin outdoor adventures to enjoy in any season.
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Project Support
For more information on the 4-H Backpacking Project, contact the
following:
UW-Extension County 4-H Offices
This is your link to a list of Wisconsin County Extension Offices. Select the county of your choice.
UW-Extension
State Specialist: Steve Kinzel
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