👋📢📣***CANCELLED!!** 👀Annual Backpacking Clinic, Camp Out & Gear Swap‼️⛺🌳

👋📢📣***CANCELLED!!** 👀***NOTE***This event has been cancelled today 12/1/2024 by Withlacoochee River Park due to it still being flooded from the Hurricane. Stay tuned for the reschedule!

📣📢 Annual Backpacking Clinic, Camp Out & Gear Swap‼️⛺🎒
🤩👍👏 Are 👉you inspired to go on a grand adventure⁉️ ⛺️🏕
Ready to take the leap from car camping and day hikes to overnight backpacking? Then this event is for you‼️
This Backpacking clinic will provide learning opportunities and information for all skill levels. From individuals with no previous experience to those with many backpacking trips under their belts.
We will have presentations, speakers, hands on opportunities as well as gear displays of backpacking gear and techniques needed to hit the trail for multi day backpacking, section hiking, a through hike or for primitive wilderness camping.
This will be a full day of learning, sharing, and planned activities.
We will Kick off at 9am and be ending about 3:00ish with a lunch break.
*Please bring lunch/drink and a chair. *There is no fee for this event but donations will be accepted at the Meetup to help cover expenses for this event which includes the Pavillion rental.
We plan to have several guest speakers and instructors for the day... Including our very own Appalachian Trail through hiker Teresa G. as our keynote presenter. Teresa had her first backpacking event and clinic with us last year and then took the leap to thru hike the Appalachian trail in the spring of 2024. We look forward to hearing about her journey and completion of thru hiking over 2000 miles.
**We plan to have a variety of backpacking shelters set up including both tents and hammocks. We will also discuss various sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cooking systems, footwear, map apps and navigation tools, trekking poles, clothing, and other small essentials.
At this time some of the topics that will be discussed and demonstrated:
*How to plan and pack for a successful backpacking adventure
*Proper pack fitting and adjustment
*Fire building, even in inclement weather and safety on the trail
*How to properly hang a bear bag
*Water filtration systems and MORE...
**NOTE**There will also be a camping opportunity for Saturday night.
This park has a canoe launch and miles of beautiful hiking trails.
If you have any extra gear you would like to sell or rehome, bring it along for the gear swap table. Please include your name and price secured to your item.
**NOTE* Campers will need to book their own campsite. You can find the Withlacoochee River Park camping reservation at the link below. They are using a new reservation system and if you encounter problems, you can call the park directly. Phone Number to Park 352-567-0264
https://www.pascocountyfl.net/services/parks_recreation_and_natural_resources/online_reservations_programs_and_classes.php

Reservations need to be made for Withlacoochee River Park with Tent camp sites A-E being the closest to the event. As well as Sites 1-15 in the main campground have a bathroom with showers, electricity and water that you can car camp, camper or RV. *NOTE* ONLY Sites 8,9,10,12, & 13 in the main campground allow tent camping.
Restrooms and showers are Available.
*NOTE! Primitive Tent Camp sites 1-8 are a half mile walk from the nearest parking area. You will have to hike/wagon your gear out there. It is primitive with no facilities or potable water.
Please note in the comment section or with your RSVP if attending just Saturday's Clinic or staying to camp through Sunday. *NOTE* If camping you are responsible to make your own camping reservation. See details in the events description above.