2013 Excursions Spring School

Annual Excursions Spring School - Hiking, Leadership

April 19-21, 2013
Instruction in safe mountain travel for hikers of all levels
Cardigan Lodge, Alexandria, NH

Spring is coming!  Dust off your backpack and refine your skills.

The spring & summer hiking seasons are just around the corner, are you prepared? This workshop offers instruction in safe mountain travel to hikers of all levels. Between the seven available classes, most every aspect of 3-season backcountry travel is covered. The weekend is filled with instruction, field exercises, lectures, and discussions. And when you’re not learning, there is plenty of great food to fuel you back up!

Your time will be divided between your individual class and activities for the entire workshop. Each class runs for the duration of the workshop, so you may participate in only one class per workshop. All groups will spend extensive time outside.

Choose one of the following available classes. Once you find the class for you, go to the "How to Register" section below and follow the instructions. If you are not sure which class is right for you, just ask one of our Workshop Directors. Scroll down to the end to get info on contacting the directors or to have an application mailed to you..

Basics of Outdoor Safety: Beginner & Intermediate Classes

Instruction in general mountain safety, equipment, route finding, map & compass, off trail navigation, weather, trip planning, nutrition, emergencies in the mountain environment.

Map and Compass: Everything you wanted or needed to know.

This session will be a small group of 8 participants and two instructors who will spend the weekend together reviewing and learning the details of map and compass culminating in field exercises and off-trail navigating with the compass on a bushwhack route.

How to stay out for the night with just your daypack and day hiking equipment in an emergency.

This section will be a group of up to 8 participants and two instructors who will be in the lodge Friday night. The day on Saturday will be filled with instruction on how to: make do, adapt, stay safe and survive the night in an emergency with your day hike equipment only. This group will spend the night out on Saturday in a simulation of an emergency stay without tent or sleeping bag.

Backpacking: Beginner & Intermediate Classes

Instruction in backpacking equipment, camp site selection, route finding, map & compass, weather, trip planning, cooking, and emergencies. For those who want take their skills beyond day hiking. Plan to spend Friday & Saturday night outdoors and provide for your own backpacking equipment.

Leadership and Mountain Skills

For those who have good 3-season hiking skills and wish to enhance them to run trips of their own. Exercises in planning, organizing, and conducting trips with emphasis on leadership techniques and group dynamics. Plus the basics of accident scene management, medical considerations, and off-trail navigation. This course is also for those with potential and desire to become Trip Leaders for the NH Chapter.

 

Application:

On-line Application:
Please apply via our on-line application to ensure the accuracy and priority of your application.  You may access the on-line detailed information and application here.  (If the link doesn't work then type or paste "amc_registration.ccntr.org" into the address line of your browser.)  If this is your first time using our online registration form, you must first create an account. Otherwise, login with your password.  Then after you have completed the registration form, please send your payment to:
  Rich Desmaris 17 Longwood Ave., Londonderry, NH 03053

Written Application:
For those unable or unwilling to do the on-line application you may download the application here (PDF).
--OR--
Send a large (No. 10, 4.12"X 9.5") self addressed envelope with first class postage with your telephone number to the Registrar:
  Rich Desmaris 17 Longwood Ave., Londonderry, NH 03053.
Please send a separate envelope and postage for each applicant.  Please indicate which workshop you want to attend.

Once you have your application, fill it out and send it with your payment to the registrar.  You must be 18 years or older to attend.

Workshop Director:

If unsure of attending and need more info please contact Director Rick Silverberg (603-225-5921, 7-10:30 p.m.)