April 2025 Therapeutic Backpacking Trip
Therapeutic Backpacking Overview
Therapeutic backpacking is a group experience facilitated by a trained professional who intentionally uses the natural world to promote reflection and insight about the problems and questions important to trip participants. Trip experiences are designed to support growth in the areas of mindfulness, deep reciprocal relationships with nature, technical wilderness skills, and holistic human wellness. We journey to the forest because the restorative effects of nature are well-documented and include improvements in bone and muscle health, nervous system regulation, mental clarity and focus, mood, cognitive abilities, and stress-reduction. The value of outdoor group experiences means other participants can offer emotional support, alternative perspectives, and the shared experience of a wilderness adventure that adds to a sense of community and belonging.
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Michaux State Forest
This forest is located on the metavolcanic rocks and quartzite rocks of South Mountain at the northern terminus of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. It is a second growth forest due to relatively young age of its trees, which is the product of long standing conservation efforts after the depletion of the forests by colonial culture in the mid to late 19th century. Michaux State Forest is located in the historical lands of the Susquehannock People.
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Trip Schedule and Locations:
Fri, Apr 11, 2025: Pre-Trip Group Meeting from 1:00-5:00pm at 1707 Rosemont Ave, Frederick, MD
Sat, Apr 12-14, 2025: 3-Day Group Journey into Michaux State Forest
Apr 26-28, 2025: Back up Group Journey dates in the event of inclement weather
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Pre-Trip Meeting:
Attendance at the 4-hour pre-trip meeting on April 11 is required to participate in the 3-day backpacking trip on Apr 12-14, 2024. Trip meeting content includes education on risks and liabilities, trip logistics, gear fitting, principles of nature-informed therapy, setting intentions for the therapeutic journey and getting to know our fellow adventurers before we embark on the trail.
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Your Guide
Krista Bajgier, LCSW-C, is a certified nature-informed trauma therapist, a member of the Wilderness Guides Council. She has certification in Wilderness First Aid and a love for hiking and the woods. She will provide gentle guidance and prompting throughout the journey to support participants in exploring themselves and their relationship to nature through mindfulness, contemplative practices, and campfire discussions with group members.
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Hiking Terrain / Difficulty Level
This 2-mile hike along the Appalachian Trail in Michaux State Park is categorized as “easy” and suitable for leisure walking on flat gravel and dirt terrain. The group will stay for two nights at a campground equipped with a portable toilet, picnic table and water source. Additional hiking will occur on Day 2 to scenic areas of the region. The group will return on foot for another 2-mile back to our point of origin.
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Accommodations
Outdoor Therapeutics has modified this journey to allow for group members with chronic pain or mobility issues to participate. Group members who identify in this way can expect to trek a total of 1.5 miles in and out on days 1 and 3, greatly reducing the physical endurance required for the program. Medical screening and evaluation required prior to registration and participation.
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Trip Costs
Program registration is $349 for participants who are bringing their own backpacking gear. Participants needing gear can rent a backpacking kit for an additional $50. Gear kits include: backpack, tent, sleeping bag, pad, stove and fuel.
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Registration
Reserving your space on the trip and purchasing gear can happen by selecting the button below. Within 24 hours of purchase, you will be contacted by an Outdoor Therapeutics representative to complete the registration process and answer any additional questions you may have. Registration is complete when all necessary informed consents and waivers have been completed.
Nature-Informed Therapy Informed Consent (sample)
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Questions before registering?
Please contact info@outdoortherapeutics.com if you have questions before making payments.
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