2024 Backcountry Advanced Training (BAT)
Camp Meisenbach
February 15, February 21, & March 1 - 3, 2024

Hosted by: Northern Trail 

Participant Type: Scouts BSA, Venturing - Youth and Adults

Registration closes February 14 at 11:00 p.m.
- NO WALK-INS -

BAT is an interactive course designed for those individuals and Units who are preparing for a high-adventure trek and for those interested in organizing first time backcountry activities for their Unit.

The course is titled “Leave the Trailer Behind!” and is directed towards individuals and Units that want to introduce more backpacking to their annual program. This is a great opportunity as a Unit activity for new or seasoned backpackers, or to prepare for future backpacking treks.

Two classroom sessions are followed by a weekend backpacking campout adventure. The course features information and instruction detailing trek preparation, crew dynamics, and techniques of backpacking - hiking, camping, and preparing meals on the trail. 

 During the classroom sessions, participants are divided into crews to work out the details of trek planning that each new crew typically confronts.  Each crew is assigned a Ranger who leads the standard “shakedown” prior to hitting the trail. Rangers also conduct hands-on training for their crew, including navigation and map reading, hydration and purification, backcountry menus and cooking, and the principles of Leave No Trace.

Event Details 
This is a three-part training: two evening classroom sessions plus a crew meeting are followed by a weekend backpack trek.

• Classroom Session
  Location: First United Methodist Church, 
  • Class Session # 1 – Thursday, February 15 from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
  • Class Session # 2 – Wednesday, February 21 from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
• Overnight Session:
  Location: Camp Meisenbach, 11217 FM 2970, Athens, TX 75751
  • Overnight Session: Friday, March 1 to Sunday, March 3 at Camp Meisenbach
  • Check-in time: 8:00 p.m. (may be adjusted closer to the date)
• Registration Closes: Wednesday, February 14 at 11:00 p.m.
  Late addtions and walk-ins cannot be accommodated.

What is the Course Fee?

• Cost: $40 per person.
  Includes course materials, food for the weekend, and a nifty souvenir.  Register now to reserve your place!
• Cancellations: All cancellations must follow the Cancellation & Refund Policy (see attachments) 

Required Information 

• Unit type and number
• First and last name
• Email address
• Cell phone number (adults only)
• Gender and age
• Scouting rank
• Emergency contact name, cell number, and relationship to attendee 
• Dietary restrictions, allergies, and medical concerns/mobility issues

Required Documentation at Check-in

• Unit Roster (downloaded from my.scouting.org with the participants names highlighted/marked)
• Annual Medical Health Record AB (see attachments) 

Contacts 

• Tim Mcconville - Course Director tdmcconville@gmail.com
• Emilia Elabed - Program Executive emilia.elabed@scouting.org

Looking for ways to help pay for your Scouting events or registration fees?

Sign up for the Spring Thrift-E Virtual Sale here.