Blissful Hiking Offers Backpacking Workshops!

All or Half-day Intensive Backpacking Workshops

Blissful Hiking conducts all or half-day backpacking workshops for groups. Great for Scouts, outdoor groups, hiking clubs, college groups, church groups, Meet Up Groups, etc. Women-specific backpacking workshops can also be given. Reasonable rates. See below for sample workshop info and demonstrations we offer to your group. 

Contact us for more information and fees for all or half day workshops

Learn all the ins and outs of backpacking, whether you are planning your first outing, a weekend or a long distance adventure. For novices as well as backpackers who want to update their knowledge base and learn new techniques.

Topics include planning your adventure, dissecting a backpack, essential gear, food and cooking, first aid, and much more. Tent and gear displays, sample literature table, opportunity to network with fellow hikers. Just 15 minutes from the Swift Run Gap entrance to the beautiful Shenandoah National Park. Get ready for the upcoming spring and summer hiking season and make your hiking dream come true! The seminar includes classroom and outdoor instruction. 

Also-- Individual pack shakedowns. Bring in your full backpack and we will analyze it, cut unnecessary weight plus offer suggestions on gear and packing. 

Comments from past participants - 

"Good value"
"Real life experiences and stories help put things in perspective"
"Invaluable"
"So much information"
"The speakers are very experienced and happy to help. They will honestly answer any questions you have."
"Great opportunity to learn about so many topics concerning backpacking."

Instructor 

Lauralee Bliss (trail name Blissful) is a two-time Appalachian Trail long distance hiker (2007, 2010-2011) and current AT section hiker, Long Trail (2012), Shenandoah 500 (2014), Foothills Trail (2104), Allegheny Trail thru hiker (2015), ridgerunner for Shenandoah National Park ('13 to present), published author and speaker. Lauralee has conducted presentations for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC), Shenandoah National Park, REI Stores, Appalachian Long Distance Hiker's Association (ALDHA), the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), libraries and school groups. Founder of the popular Facebook groups Appalachian Trail Section Hikers and Shenandoah National Park Hikers. 

Steve Bliss (trail name Papa Bliss) has hiked in every state along the Appalachian Trail as well as numerous trails in Virginia and West Virginia. An assistant with the local Venture Crew leading kids into the woods, Steve is also an avid hammocker. He will teach on cooking and water purification as well as hammocking and bear bagging. 

Sample All-Day Workshop Outline 

(can be changed for half day or tailored to group needs

8:00 - 8:30 – Registration

8:30 - 9:30 – Welcome, Information. “I Dream of a Backpacking Trip” – multimedia overview of the mental aspects of planning and preparing for backpacking

9:30 - 9:45 – Break

9:45 - 11:45 – “Dissecting a Backpack” – what gear to take on a trip, how to fit, pack, and carry a backpack, much more. Dissect "Lucky Larry's" backpack - a hit with past participants! Demonstration and multimedia

11:45 - 12:30 – Lunch and conversation with fellow hikers. (Individual pack shakedowns by appointment only)

Demonstrating bear bagging technique 

12:30 - 1:30 – First Aid and Safety– blisters, injuries, hypothermia, insects, first aid kits, hiker safety issues

1:30 - 3:15 – Food, Stoves and Cooking, Water Systems, Bear bagging - including

displays and outdoor demonstration (weather permitting)

3:15 - 3:30 – Break

3:30 - 4:30 - Tents and Sleep Systems - including displays, demonstration, and multi media  

4:30 - Wrap-up, Questions, Evaluation, individual pack shakedowns by those who made an appointment (participants can stay and watch the process)

Demonstrating water purification and cooking

EMAIL us for more Information!

blissfulhiking(at) gmail(dot)com