Welcome to Sierra Club’s, “Intro to Backpacking ” series!
This series of events are designed to provide folks who have limited experience camping with the foundational tools and confidence to spend a night in more remote environments (Boundary Waters, Superior Hiking Trail, etc.). This means camping in a tent, at site you walked to with all your gear in a backpack. You can do it!
This series is led by a BIPOC instructor who is committed to providing "safe spaces" for all who are interested in learning and growing in the outdoors. We welcome immigrants, people of color, LGBTQ and all to join us. The series is broken down into the following essential concepts:
SESSION 1 - Wednesday, April 8th
Sierra Club Office (St Paul) 6pm - 9pm
-10 Essentials of Wilderness Safety
- Clothing - Layering Basics / Morning, Noon & Night
SESSION 2 - Saturday May 23rd
(TBD - TC Metro Area Outdoors) 9am - 1pm
- Tents, Hammocks, Tarps & Shelters
- Sleep Systems
SESSION 3 - Saturday June 13th
(TBD - TC Metro Area Outdoors) 9am - 1pm
- Camp Cooking and Backcountry Food Safety
- Water Filtration
SESSION 4 - Saturday July 18th
Afton State Park Visitors Center - 9am - 1pm
- Backcountry Navigation
Overnight Skills Event - August 29th - 30th
Afton State Park Group Camp #2 or TBD
In order to get the full benefit from this series, participants must attend every session, so please review dates above and make sure you can attend! WHEN YOU SIGN UP, YOU WILL BE SIGNING UP FOR ALL SESSIONS! Each participant will need to register, and you are unable to register your friend. During registration, "Number of Tickets," is the number available for you, not the number for the event. IE, each person will see 'tickets available = 1', this does not mean the event is full. If the event is full, please email me at jr.hunte@sierraclub.org to be placed on the wait list.
The sessions culminate in an overnight for the participants at a remote site TBD, where you will have the opportunity to put your skills into practice throughout the overnight, supported by a BIPOC outdoor leader.
This event is rated as, "Moderate." There will be outdoor activities on varied terrain and in varied weather conditions. There will also be sleeping outdoors on sleeping pads/mats and in tents. There will be no extensive hiking with the exception of the session, "Backcountry Navigation."
The cost of the series is $25. The cost will cover all sessions, campsite reservations, equipment, dinner, breakfast and snacks. Once you begin the series, there will be no refunds. Your payment will be donated to support Sierra Club's youth programs.
This event is limited to 14 participants, 18+ years of age - so act fast! If the event is full, please email me and you will be added to the wait list.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact JR Hunte @ 612.867.4200 or at jr.hunte@sierraclub.org.
Level: Moderate
Cost: $25 - entire series
Signup Instructions: Each participant will need to register and complete several forms.
Cancellation Policy: Cancel for full refund before April 18th, 2026.