2026 MAY UNIT BACKPACKING Registration
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2026 MAY UNIT BACKPACKING
Date
Registration Begins
9/26/2025
Last Day To Register
4/25/2026
Location
27955 Hwy 79
Santa Ysabel, CA 92070, US
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Unit Backpacking Training

Description (Scroll to bottom of page for REGISTER button)

UNIT BACKPACK TRAINING for Troop, Crews, & Ships (This training is NOT for Cub Scouts age or Packs) is a weekend training program designed for youth so they can learn basic backpacking and trail camping under their own adult leadership. Unit equipment and backpacks may by provided by the Council. This program is especially applicable to those units with little or no experience or equipment. The Mataguay Scout Ranch (MSR) "T" Patch will be awarded to all participants, youth and adult, who successfully complete this training.

This weekend Backpack Training starts at 8:00 Saturday morning. Backpacks, light weight mountain cook kits, propane fuel stoves and tube tents are issued at this time. A six-mile loop trail is backpack-hiked, ending at a trail camp in MSR. High Sierra Trek - experienced instructors from the High Adventure Team (HAT) provide guidance, instruction, and help along the trail and in camp.

Particulars

Fee: $15.00 per participant, pre-registered
Reserve early! See additional information below.
Location:     Mataguay Scout Reservation (map). Meet at the ComSci (Old Commissary), located by the barn near the end of the paved road (follow the signs towards the Conference Center).
Contact: Rich Reeder at  (619) 962-0712 also dsrtfreak@msn.com  OR  San Diego-Imperial Council, Scouting America, Camping Division: 619-298-6121 ext. 246

 

COUNCIL PROVIDES: for first 36 participants, more can attend if they provide their own equipment YOUR UNIT PROVIDES:
  • One Sierra-type backpack per person
  • One tube tent for each two persons (individuals and units should bring their own packs, tents, stoves, etc., if they have them) 
  • For each crew of four:
    • Mountain cook kit
    • Spoon, ladle and spatula, if desired
    • Propane backpacker's stove and fuel canister
  • 1 Gal. plastic water container - empty
  • Group first-aid kit (including mole-skin)
  • Dishwashing soap & scrubber
  • Food for four-man crews (do not bring oversized packages - repack into "crew" sized packages):
    • One-pot meal for Saturday dinner
    • Hot Sunday breakfast

*** Do not bring any glass containers, axes, tin cans, or sheath knives!! ***

INDIVIDUAL ALSO PROVIDES:

  • Quart plastic water bottle (full)
  • Cold trail lunch for Saturday
  • Trail snacks
  • Stainless steel Sierra cup or plastic cup (to eat and drink from)
  • Tablespoon (knife and fork optional)
  • Folding Scout knife (with Totin' Chip)
  • Sunglasses
  • Sleeping bag (plan on 30ºF at night)
  • Hiking boots/shoes ("tennies" OK depending upon weather conditions)
  • Uniform or other loose fitting clothes (leave your tight jeans behind. Bring wool in the winter))
  • Wide-brimmed Hat or visor cap
  • Wool cap in winter
  • Clean undershirt
  • Clean wool socks (two pair, one light, one heavy)
  • Windbreaker (parka-type recommended)
  • Wool sweater and/or shirt (both in winter)
  • Sunblock (SPF 15 or higher)
  • Rain suit (lightweight plastic)
  • Pack rain-cover (large trash bags will work)
  • Matches
  • Flashlight, small (using AA batteries recommended)
  • Small plastic trowel (for digging personal latrine)

KEEP IT LIGHT - YOU HAVE TO CARRY IT!

Contact E-mail
sdiccamp@scouting.org
Cost
$15.00 per Adult 18 and older
$15.00 per Scout Youth
Cancellation Policy
Fees are refundable ONLY if requested at least two weeks in advance of the Saturday scheduled, or if the H.A.T. cancels the training session. NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY. Please email your request to the SDIC Camping Dept at sdiccamp@scouting.org. CANCELLATION BY INSTRUCTOR If less than fifteen (15) persons are signed up by Friday, two weeks preceeding the scheduled weekend, the session may be cancelled at the option of the instructor. Units signed up when/if a session is cancelled will be notified not later than the following Wednesday. Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing of your refund.