Backcountry LeadershipGrades 5 - 12

LEARN HOW TO EXPLORE THE BACKCOUNTRY SAFELY

With mountains and vast wilderness all around us, the Sea to Sky corridor offers endless opportunities to explore. This program helps students build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to travel safely and responsibly in mountain environments.

The Backcountry Leadership program covers the following topics:

Hiking 101: The 3 T’s of Backcountry Leadership
Learn how to prepare before hitting the trail through Trip Planning, Training, and Taking the Essentials—creating a strong foundation for safe, confident decision-making outdoors.

The Ten Essentials
Through hands-on activities, students explore what belongs in a backpack—and why. Discover how the Ten Essentials support navigation, communication, first aid, and comfort when conditions change.

Emergency Response & Teamwork
Using scenario-based activities, students respond to common backcountry situations—from injury to changing conditions. Skills include stretcher building, managing heat and cold, and communicating effectively as a team.

Shelter Building
When plans change, shelter becomes critical. Students work together to design and build a shelter using tarps, rope, and natural features—developing problem-solving skills while learning how to stay warm, dry, and safe.