CHMK Backpacking Program

The Ohio program will head to the beautiful Gerard Hiking Trail, a 36-mile loop located within Oil Creek State Park in western Pennsylvania.

The Michigan program will travel through 1800 acres of private wilderness at D-Bar-A Ranch in Metamora, Michigan.

Several of our nights are spent at “frontcountry” campsites, where we’ll generally have a more developed campsite with running water, toilets, and sometimes cell phone service. This may be a public or private campground. We often stay at the same frontcountry site a few days in a row.

The other nights will be spent “backcountry” camping, referring to wilderness locations where we are most likely out of cell phone service and away from our vehicles, electricity, and other amenities. Many multi-day activities like backpacking take place in the backcountry.

Some days are longer than others, with an average “on trail” distance of 4-6 miles per day. Typically, while backpacking, our groups will hike approximately 1 mile per hour and faster downhill. So, if we have a 4-mile day, you can plan on it taking about 4 hours, and, we have the whole day to do it! When we hike, we walk at a pace that all campers in the group can maintain (it is not a race!) and we stay together as a group, taking breaks every 20 minutes to drink, eat, rest, and test.

No experience necessary; all skill levels welcome!

Fitness and physical challenge are subjective, so CHMK does not “rate” its trips based on challenge. However, because we’ll be highly engaged in backcountry activities throughout trip, our campers have the responsibility to be physically fit. We know physical fitness looks different for everyone, but it’s important to come prepared so that you and your fellow campers can succeed. While on the trail, it is common for campers and staff to volunteer to switch gear in packs and give smaller or less fit campers less weight.

For at least a month prior to camp, plan to exercise 3-5 times per week for at least 30 minutes. Have your hiking boots well worn in before your arrival to camp. Prepare yourself by reading the website and all of the information sent to you by email. Being physically and mentally prepare before camp will bring out the real adventurer in you!

Your two pieces of footwear are really critical: Boots and camp shoes.
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BOOTS
The most important piece of personal gear that CHML does not provide is boots. They should be a mid-weight hiking boot with ankle support. You don’t need heavy mountaineering boots, and you also can’t hike in sneakers. Boots should be comfortable, not too big and not too small, with deep treads. We know that some people prefer low-tops as they are more comfortable. However, we require high-tops because of the evacuation risk of an ankle injury with a heavy pack on in the mountains.

CAMP SHOES
It’s important to give your feet a break after a long day of hiking in your boots. Your camp shoes must be closed-toed to prevent toe injuries. No slides, No sandals, No flip-flops. They should be light-weight with good treads, preferably quick-drying in case of use to cross streams and creeks.

Packing list coming soon.

Camp Ho Mita Koda provides all necessary group gear, including tents, food storage and kitchen setup. Participants are responsible for bringing all personal gear.

Pasta with red sauce, ground beef and parmesan. Beans and rice with chicken, cheese and tortillas. Etc. All meals are seasoned, with an accompanying sauce. Food is incredibly important for backpacking trips, and we know that our campers need to be well-fed to be happy. We’ve done our best to optimize our menu for broad appeal and to maximize nutritional benefit for strenuous activity. And, we can only bring as much food as we can carry on our backs, so every ounce of food is intentionally calculated and packed. Campers are always worried about the food. We promise it’s good and plentiful. We can accommodate most dietary restrictions and sensitivities if given advance notice.

We want our campers to leave with the necessary understanding and skills to be able to enter the wilderness with safety, respect, and a sense of wonder and belonging. This program is uniquely designed to create an opportunity to feel at home with backcountry living, natural observation, and inquiry. Participants learn how to travel safely in the backcountry, manage risk, and practice on-trail leadership skills. This is all in addition to learning how to properly manage diabetes in the backcountry, cooking over a fire, reading a map, and much more!