Backpacking Programs Readiness Questionnaire
Thank you for your interest in our backpacking program. These are amazing trips and a fantastic program option for many campers, but not for every camper. Backpacking participants need a higher level of physical fitness and mental fortitude than campers at our basecamp programs. They must be at or above average fitness for a teenager and must enjoy physical activity.
Please read and answer the questions below. If you answer “no” to any of these questions, then a basecamp program may be a better fit for your child. A “no” is not an automatic rule-out, but necessitates a longer conversation before finalizing a backpacking program registration. This page is for your information now; during the registration process we will collect answers to the following questions:
Have you read the Essential Eligibility Criteria document (EEC)? If not, please click here to review it before proceeding.
Does your camper meet all of the physical, mental, and emotional requirements in the essential eligibility criteria?
Does your camper understand that he/she is registering for a backpacking trip with all that it physically entails: carrying a heavy backpack, moving campsites frequently, (rather than staying in teepees at our basecamp location), eating “camping” meals and snacks that they will help prepare themselves, and caring for personal hygiene needs outside, among other things?
Is your child looking forward to the opportunity to challenge him/herself on a backpacking trip?
Is your child willing to independently undertake basic physical conditioning to stay in shape or get in shape for the trip in the coming months?
Is your child free from any recent major illness, injury, or dietary restrictions?
Along with the increased physical and mental challenge in our backpacking programs as compared to our basecamp programs, there are also fewer resources for support on a backpacking trip than at our basecamp. If you believe your child is struggling healthwise (behaviorally, physically, mentally, or emotionally) then one of our basecamp programs would be a safer alternative to backpacking.
An Important Note on Acclimation to Higher Elevation: Our basecamp is around 7,800 ft above sea level and our backcountry trips travel and sleep at elevations significantly higher (8,000-13,500 ft). While we do our best to build time to acclimate into the trips, we strongly encourage campers and families coming from out of state to arrive in Colorado a day or two early to expedite this acclimation process. Drinking plenty of water before and during the trip is another strategy to help with adjusting to the higher altitude. Finally, there are some short-term medications available that can assist those coming from lower to higher elevations; we encourage you to discuss this option with your primary care provider if you are interested.
We appreciate your careful consideration of the elements involved in our backpacking trips before you and your child choose from our many, exciting programs. We want to provide your child with the best Camp Wojtyla experience possible, and it starts here! If you have questions for us after reviewing this information, please contact our registration team at registrar@camp-w.com.