Camping » “Mini-Backpacking”

For groups interested in a true overnight wilderness experience but not wanting to carry full backpacks daily, Sure Foot’s “Mini-Backpacking” program is designed for you. We prepare as if for a backpacking trip—with lightweight gear and yummy meals that need no refrigeration, leaving our electric devices at home. But instead of a long walk with heavy packs, we hike 1/2 mile from our vehicles and set up camp. Sure Foot Adventures takes you to regularly-used campsites in the woods, not developed campgrounds. Our Mini-Backpacking trips are as adventurous and exciting as our backpacking trips, but without carrying heavy packs for miles.

Skills: Because our Mini-Backpacking trips are modeled on backpacking, participants learn all skills necessary to be fully autonomous in the woods: cooking on a fire or backpacking stove, water purification, pitching tents and tarps, knots, orienteering & map reading, hanging food away from animals at night, etc. We teach the group how to set up camp fully - taking care of all necessary tasks – and then allow for relaxation time and exploration of the surrounding area.

Gear: Sure Foot provides all group gear (including all tents, water purification, stoves and cookware, maps, compass, rope, and first aid kit, etc.) and can rent backpacks, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads to participants. You’ll need to pack your own clothes and personal items, but Mini-Backpacking trips are designed so you can just show up and go camping. For more specifics, see our sample gear list.

Meals: As on all of our trips, we at Sure Foot Adventures pride ourselves in serving gourmet trail-cooked meals. We never use pre-prepared, freeze-dried meals or army-issue MREs. For examples of Sure Foot trail meals, see our Backpacking page or our Food Ideas list.

Length & Participants: Three-days and 2-nights is the most popular length for Mini-Backpacking trips, but we lead trips of any length. Mini-Backpacking trips work particularly well for families with younger children and for groups that seek relaxation and intend to offer specific programming for participants.

Entertainment: It is Sure Foot’s goal not to over-program any of our trips. Our entertainment includes sunsets, waterfalls, birds, day hikes, off-trail exploration, mountaintops. In the evenings, we enjoy s’mores around the campfire, when possible. Also, Sure Foot’s lead guide Jonah McDonald is a storyteller and board member of the Southern Order of Storytellers, so you can expect stories around the campfire, as well.

Leadership: Sure Foot provides two experienced, knowledgeable, confident guides for all overnight trips. At least one guide is trained as a Wilderness First Reponder, with Wilderness First Aid and Professional CPR certifications. On all co-ed trips, we ensure that there is a male and a female adult leader.