Beginners Backpacking Bootcamp - Illinois (April 2024)

Event Details

This event is suitable for anyone in Class 1, 2, or 3. All levels of experience are welcome. For an explanation of the way we classify events, visit this page.

Don't let the title of the event scare you off! This course is designed for inexperienced, new backpackers, but we have found that even those who have been backpacking for several years still find something to take away from this course. It is a great opportunity for those who would like to brush up on their backpacking skills, learn about new equipment, or test out new equipment in the safety of a group. During this event, you will be hiking and camping in beautiful backcountry settings. Our primary goal is to help guests become confident, self-sufficient, and familiar with their gear while gaining the skills required to be safe and comfortable while backpacking.  

Our friendly, trail-wise staff will walk you through every step of the way so that you can enjoy the rejuvenating spirit of the outdoors. Sign up with friends, or by yourself. Either way, we guarantee you’ll leave the trip with a group of like-minded friends.

This event takes place over 2.5 days and starts on Friday. After you arrive and check-in, there will be an informative 2-3 hour session when you'll learn how to select the right gear for your trip, food planning/selection, LNT principles,  proper packing, hygiene, water filtration, food storage (hanging a "bear bag"),. Experienced True North staff will also provide you with a "gear shakedown," where we make recommendations on gear that you may or may not need which reduces pack weight, making your experience more enjoyable.

Dinner is provided Friday night at the group camp. Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon we will be hiking approximately  7 miles, stopping at mile 4 Saturday night to camp at a backcountry site. The terrain and trail where we will be hiking may contain land features such as ledges, steep ascents/descents, unstable, wooden crossings, and can be strenuous at times. The trails may also be wet, slippery, muddy, and rocky. We will obtain water from local sources such as springs, streams, creeks, and rivers, or will be provided by True North.

Meals

Dinner is provided on Friday night. Saturday and Sunday meals are the responsibility of the attendee. Information regarding the types of meals we suggest while on the trial will be sent out before the event. If you have any questions regarding meals or types of food to bring, you can contact the event hosts at any time. 

Meal packages are available at a rate of $40.00 per day and include everything you need including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and will include items such as protein/energy/meal replacement bars, jerky, nuts, lunch meal, dehydrated backpacking meals, and a dessert. If you have special dietary needs, please let us know when selecting the "Meal Package" option during registration. Your meals will be waiting for you on the day of the event, simply add them to your pack! 

Gear

Members are responsible for obtaining their gear, or you can rent gear from True North by selecting the "Admission w/Gear Rental" ticket option.

We suggest the following information as a basic guide in preparation for our event.  If you are going to purchase gear and are unsure of what to buy, feel free to contact us for guidance.

Required Gear

● Backpack (properly fitted) Typical pack for a 2-5 day outing is 40-60 liters.

● Sleeping bag

● Sleeping pad

● Tent

● Stove

● Cookware

● Trowel

● Small Compass

● Appropriate footwear (trail runners or boots)

● Water filter

● 25' of paracord (minimum)

● Individual First Aid Kit

● Headlamp (spare batteries)

● Rain Gear (poncho, Frog Toggs, rain suit)

● Toiletry Kit

● Fire starting kit

● Small knife

● Spare set of clothing

● Spare set of socks

● Appropriate backpacking meals for the length of the event

● Emergency blanket

● Hydration system or water bottles

● Whistle

● Quick Dry towel

● Biodegradable soap

● Personal Medications

Optional Items

● Trekking Poles

● Baselayer (inclement weather)

● Rain gear (inclement weather)

● Camp shoes (Crocs or similar)

● Insect repellent

● Earplugs

Rental Gear

Rental is available for an extra fee and includes the following:

-Osprey Backpack

-River Country Products 1 or 2-person tent

-North Face, Eureka, or Kelty Sleeping bag

-Thermarest sleeping pad

-UL Pillow  (fleece pillowcase you can stuff your extra clothes into)

-Jetboil Flash backpacking stove w/fuel

-Sawyer water filter

-Trowel

-Headlamp

-Trekking Poles

-Dry Bag for food storage

Ticket Options

Admission-$285

Admission for one person. You must obtain your gear. We will contact you with a list of required gear before the start of the trip.

Admission w/Gear Rental-$425

In addition to admission, this ticket includes gear rental for one person. We will contact you with a list of additional required gear prior to the start of the trip.

One Day Meal Package-$40

This package includes all the food and snacks you will need for 1 day including breakfast bars/breakfast meal, protein/energy/meal replacement bars, jerky, nuts, lunch meal, dehydrated backpacking meal, and a dessert.

Three-Day Meal Package-$120

This package includes all the food and snacks you will need for 3 days including breakfast bars/breakfast meal, protein/energy/meal replacement bars, jerky, nuts, lunch meal, dehydrated backpacking meal, and a dessert.

Safety

All True North Expeditions staff are certified in First Aid/CPR and every one of our events is led by a guide with a background in emergency medicine and a certified Wilderness First Aid instructor. Guides are experienced in wilderness and outdoor travel and are equipped with GPS and satellite phones during every portion of this event.

We ask that guests refrain from bringing alcohol, illegal drugs, or weapons of any kind (excluding a pocket knife for use on the trail).

Cancellation Policy

No refunds will be issued for cancellations 30 days or less from the date of the event. All other cancellations are subject to a 50% service fee. A refund will be issued in the form of a check, or the original payment method. Please allow 5-7 business days for processing, we will notify you when the refund has been issued. 

If you have purchased a meal package and cancel at any time, you will receive a full refund for the unused meal packages only.

True North Expeditions, Inc. reserves the right to substitute the events listed in the description above in the event of inclement weather, availability, or other uncontrollable events. Additional information will be emailed to you after registering. 

Leave No Trace:

We practice strong Leave No Trace ethics and are very in tune with preserving the areas we use. We are committed to supporting organizations that aid in these beliefs and practices.  Traveling with us ensures that during your experience you will minimize the impact you leave on future generations.  We review LNT Principles at all of our Beginner Backpacking events, and we follow the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace on each of our events:

• Plan Ahead and Prepare
• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
• Dispose of Waste Properly
• Leave What You Find
• Minimize Campfire Impacts
• Respect Wildlife
• Be Considerate of Other Visitors

We encourage everyone to enroll in the free course on the Leave No Trace website: https://learn.lnt.org/