2026 Backcountry Advanced Training (BAT)
Classroom Sessions: February 11 & February 25
Practical: February 27 - March 1 at Camp Meisenbach

Attendance at all three sessions is required for successful course completion

Hosted by: Northern Trail

Participant Type: Scouts BSA, Venturing - Youth and Adults

Registration closes February 8 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. You are required to attend all three parts to complete this course.

Classroom Sessions
Location: First United Methodist Church Richardson, 503 N. Central Expy, Richardson, TX 75080

• Class Session # 1 – Wednesday, February 11 from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
• Class Session # 2 – Wednesday, February 25 from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Overnight Session:
Location: Camp Meisenbach, 11217 FM 2970, Athens, TX 75751

• Overnight Session: Friday, February 27, to Sunday, March 1
• Check-in time: 8:00 p.m. (may be adjusted closer to the date)
• Registration Closes: February 8, 2026, at 11:00 p.m.
  Late addtions and walk-ins cannot be accommodated.

What is the Course Fee?

• Cost: $50 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

Required Information 

• Unit type and number
• First and last name
• Email address
• Cell phone number (adults only)
• Gender and age
• Scouting America membership number
• 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 (must be downloaded from my.scouting.org with the participants names highlighted/marked)
• Annual Medical Health Record AB (see attachments) 

Contacts 

• Course Director: Tim McConville - tdmcconville@gmail.com, 214-773-0848
• Staff Advisor: Jordan Ray, jordan.ray@scouting.org, 832-401-3330
• Registration Assistant: Daniel Murphy, daniel.murphy@scouting.org, 214-902-6714