Trip Planning Course

This program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to confidently plan, prepare, and execute their personalized spring break adventure with friends. Spanning seven sessions, this comprehensive program offers a curriculum that is tailored to empower students in every aspect of outdoor trip coordination. Beginning in November, participants embark on a journey of discovery and preparation, commencing with an introductory meeting that lays the foundation for successful trip management. Subsequent sessions delve into crucial topics such as selecting optimal locations for early spring outdoor activities, navigating the intricacies of permits and logistics, crafting a detailed itinerary, mastering time management through the Time Control Plan framework, and understanding the essential elements of medical and trip budgeting. A series of hands-on workshops further enrich the learning experience, covering vital outdoor skills, efficient food rationing strategies, and expert guidance on gear outfitting. Each session is meticulously structured to foster a deep understanding of the nuances involved in outdoor recreation planning, ensuring that students emerge with the confidence and proficiency needed to have unforgettable outdoor adventures. Whether scaling mountain peaks, traversing serene wilderness trails, or embarking on adrenaline-pumping excursions, participants finish this program equipped with the expertise to transform their spring break visions into exhilarating realities.

Session 1: Introduction meeting/ How to run a Successful trip/ What locations are best for early March

1. • Purpose: Welcome people to the program and explain what elements make for a successful trip, and what the ideal locations for a March spring break trip may be.

   • Key Topics:

     • Overview of the program goals and structure.

     • Importance of early planning for spring break adventures.

     • Discussion on selecting optimal locations for early spring outdoor activities.

     • How does someone run their spring break trip?

     • What makes for a good spring break trip?

   • Activities:

     • Introduction to trip planning resources and tools.

     • Brainstorming session for potential trip destinations.

     • Recommendations for trip locations

     • Find, or start finding a group to participate in your trip.

     • Activity for the day/week: Each student should find at least 3 possible spring break locations and why they would make for a good location in mid-March.

Session 2: Permits/ Logistics

1. • Purpose: Understand the intricacies of permits and logistical planning.

   • Key Topics:

     • Importance of obtaining permits for outdoor activities.

     • Logistics involved in transportation, accommodation, and equipment.

     • Decide on a location to choose for permitting.

   • Activities:

     • Group Activity fill out a sample permit application.

     • Discuss logistics and explain the importance of good logistics.

·         Apply for permits or find when permits are available for previously decided locations.

Session 3: Itinerary/ Time Control Plan

1. • Purpose: Learn how to develop a detailed itinerary and master time management.

   • Key Topics:

     • Components of a well-rounded trip itinerary.

     • The importance of a strong itinerary

     • Introduction to the Time Control Plan framework for efficient time management.

     • Balancing flexibility and structure in trip planning.

     • Show sample North Carolina TCP

     • What is a smart amount of people to run a trip with?

   • Activities:

     • Workshop on itinerary creation

     • Time Control Plan exercise to prioritize tasks and allocate time effectively.

     • Peer review and feedback on drafted itineraries.

     • Started finding a group of friends to go on the trip being planned. (Budgeting is dependent on the size of a group make sure students come to the next session with a planned group)

Session 4: Medical/ Budgeting

1. • Purpose: Learn about medical considerations and budget planning.

   • Key Topics:

     • Explain supplies found in medical kits.

     • The importance of emergency preparedness.

     • Why is budgeting important?

   • Activities:

     • Several hands-on examples of medical situations.

     • Create Budgets with a final cost per person. (Each person should have a # of people they are planning on going with on their trip).

Session 5 (3 hours on a Saturday): Outdoor Skills Workshop (Advertised to the whole campus as a way to gain outdoor technical skills).

Sign ups: Untitled form - Google Forms

1. • Purpose: Gain practical skills for outdoor adventures.

   • Key Topics:

     • Outdoor Skills Olympics

   • Activities: 7 Stations of outdoor skills including,

     • Tents

       • Set up and take down time trials.

       • Common tent issues and how to fix them.

     • Bear Hang

       • 8 feet up 4 feet away

       • 100 feet from camp

     • Kitchen Safety

       • How to use a stove safely

       • How to prevent the most common kitchen injuries.

     • Map/Compass

       • How to use a compass

       • How to read a map

       • How to use a compass and a map to find where you are.

     • Tarps

       • How to set up a tarp that can survive any weather condition.

     • Knots and Hitches

       • Bowline

       • Clove hitch

       • Trucker’s hitch

       • Overhand on a bite

     • Water Treatment-

       • Boiling Water to filter it

       • Gravity filters and other filters

       • Aqumira

     • LNT Principles/ Biff Lesson

       • 7 elements of LNT

         1. Plan ahead and prepare.

         2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces.

         3. Dispose of waste properly.

         4. Leave what you find.

         5. Minimize campfire impacts.

         6. Respect wildlife.

         7. Respect Others.

o   Biff Lesson

§  6 inches deep

§  300 feet from water

Session 6: Food Rationing

1. • Purpose: Learn how to plan and manage food for outdoor trips.

   • Key Topics:

     • Nutritional requirements for outdoor activities.

     • Meal planning and preparation for extended trips.

     • What foods to get, what foods not to get.

     • How to pack food lighter

     • How to plan meals out

     • How to ration and divide up food between meals

   • Activities:

     • Plan out all the meals and ingredients for the trip and a time to go get the groceries.

     • Students should purchase and ration food before the next session.

Session 7: Gear Outfitting

1. • Purpose: Understand the importance of proper gear selection and outfitting.

   • Key Topics:

     • Essential gear for different types of outdoor activities.

     • Tips for maintaining and caring for outdoor equipment.

     • How to organize individual and group packing lists.

     • What to do during a group outfitting meeting.

     • Explain gear cage policies.

   • Activities:

     • Interactive session on gear selection based on trip requirements.

     • Explore the gear cage.