The Los Padres Chapter of the Sierra Club is offering comprehensive training for people at all levels of fitness who want to enjoy and explore the wilderness through hiking and backpacking. A dedicated staff of experienced leaders will teach students the skills to enjoy the wilderness during eight classroom sessions and several exciting outings.

Eight classes will be held on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-9:30 p.m., from February 6, 2019 through March 27, 2019. All classes are held at the Poinsettia Pavillion, 3451 Foothill Rd, Ventura CA 93003.

The class lectures will demonstrate backpacking equipment, wilderness ethics, wilderness first aid & safety, weather, water filtration, cooking, map & compass instruction, backcountry clothing, and many other topics. Students will gain experience by participating in several outings including day hikes, a car camp, and backpacking trips in our local mountains. All outings offer students a choice of difficulties ranging from low-moderate to strenuous with multiple trip options.

Class outings are scheduled on weekends for the following dates in 2019:

February 9: Conditioning hike

February 23-24: Car Camp (overnight)

March 9-10: Backpack Trip 1 (overnight)

March 23-24: Backpack Trip 2 (overnight)

Persons 18 years of age and older, and in reasonable health are eligible to take the course. Teenagers 13-17 may take the course if they enroll with their parent or guardian and go on the outings together.

Early Bird Registration Prices last through January 16. Sign up now! This course has sold out early for three years in a row, and it's only offered once per year!

Discounts are available for Sierra Club members (Sierra Club member number required), and for students (student ID required). Couples enrollment options can be applied to any two people signing up together for additional savings. Please note that a service fee applies for each electronic ticket purchase.

A percentage of the registration fee is donated to local groups supporting outdoors recreation and conservation. In 2018, we donated to four local Search and Rescue groups, the Los Padres Forest Association for Ventura County trails work, and to the Los Padres Sierra Club for outings, Ventura County trails access, legal costs, wildlife, and energy issues.

Important note: Students are expected to provide and use their own equipment for outings (backpacks, hiking footwear, tents, etc), though WBC does have some equipment for loan in limited supply.

For questions, e-mail: lospadreswbc@gmail.com