Winter Camping Training for Youth (13+) and Adult Leaders

Saturday, November 19, 2011  1pm – 5pm Winnebago Scout Reservation

Go camping in winter? What are you nuts?!?!??!?!?!

Too many Scouts, Venturing crews and leaders think winter is a time of year to be endured until the weather warms for summer camping and outings. Many of us had a latent fear of winter! We are afraid of becoming cold, of becoming frostbitten or injured, of being cut off by deep snow. Perhaps most of all, we are afraid of venturing into the UNKNOWN – of camping in winter conditions that we have never camped in before. We are not mentally prepared to deal with winter conditions. Most of our fears can be traced to a lack of knowledge. If we knew how to camp in winter, we would not be AFRAID of it!

The aesthetic beauty of winter is unsurpassed; fresh powder snow carpets both hill and vale with white fluff. Boughs of evergreens are laden with snow. Litter is nowhere to be seen. The possibilities for photographs are terrific. Camping in the winter is invigorating. The air is cold, clean, crisp and pure. The physical activity is demanding – a great way to stay in shape. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snow shelter building help to develop new muscles. The stillness of nature is prevalent in winter. Only the wind in the trees and blowing snow striking your snow shelter breaks the tranquility. Animal tracks can be easily seen. . ….. and you are smack right in the middle of it!

For more information, please check out the flyer.