ABOUT

Take some time to unplug this summer and reflect on the important things in life. These trips are a great opportunity for you to discover strengths, develop leadership skills, and build confidence through challenging experiences. Hiking distances will vary by the group's ability, which will be determined by staff. This group will be co-ed, with separate sleeping arrangements for guys and girls.

SCHEDULE

Monday

Campers should arrive at Camp Bighorn between 4pm and 5pm. Dinner will be served at 6pm, personal gear will be inspected, group gear will be issued, and staff will share best practices for gear care for the week. Monday night will be spent camping on-site at Camp Bighorn, where campers will learn about spiritual themes for the trip and Leave No Trace principles for the trail. Tuesday morning, both weeks will head out.

Tuesday - Thursday

Backpacking

After breakfast and a short devotional, each hiker will take solo time to process the theme of the day, pray, and practice stillness. Everyone will then pack up camp and set out for the trail, stopping at numerous lookouts featuring alpine lakes, river valleys, and unbroken forests. Along your hike, you will learn about local ecosystems, wilderness skills, and backcountry food storage. Dinners will take place around a campfire (pending forest conditions), followed by an evening reflection time and time to hang out before sleeping beneath the stars.

Friday

Before you pack up and head out, the group will gather to debrief the entire trip and discuss how your experiences on the trail can translate back to life at home. You will need to make plans to leave Camp Bighorn between 2-2:30pm.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

Hard Skill

Backpacking

Cooking on camp stove, hanging a bear bag, understanding bear safety, Leave No Trace principles, using a compass, reading a map, proper campsite setup, and water filtration and purification

Leadership Opportunities

Backpacking

At various points throughout the trip, hikers will be given opportunities to lead the group. Opportunities will vary for each hiker, but might include trail responsibilities, meal preparation, campsite management, and more.

Spiritual Development

Staff members will present key passages of Scripture, sharing how stories in the Bible connect with elements in the wilderness. Campers will then break out into small discussion groups where they will have time to help each other better understand these stories and find practical ways to use these lessons at home.

Close Community

Backpacking is one of our favorite ways to build friendships and memories. Jesus said that people would recognize His disciples by the love that they showed for one another, and small communities are a great way to practice this sort of selfless, brotherly love that Jesus was talking about (John 13:34-35).

Teamwork

Traveling in a small group can be challenging, which is why healthy communication and other teamwork habits will be encouraged throughout the trip. These are great for any season, and campers will also learn how to bring skills like conflict resolution and personal responsibility back home after their week in the mountains.

Arrival / Departure

Check-In at the Front Office

July 17th, 4-5pm

Check-Out from the Front Office

July 21st, 2-2:30pm

Groups will be limited to 8 campers and 2 Bighorn staff members, totaling 10 people.