In addition to these four major areas there is also a 15-minute talk on the "philosophy and objectives" of the project called the "Opening Talk" that is presented by the student in charge of the company. His assistant gives a short talk at another time during the day about different aspects of hiking and camping equipment. The schedule for these talks is given below. Finally, at the daily "Convocation" of the project, the head of project reads from Scripture and speaks a few moments about a general topic according the schedule below (see "message"). There is also prayer and music during this opening gathering each day.

There are nine "at school" training days during the three weeks prior to the AT hike. They are interrupted by two outdoor training events: a one-day hike in Stokes State Forest and one two-night overnight hike (about 12 miles) in Stokes State Forest. Teams are given maps and written instructions and follow different routes through the forests between checkpoints (2-4 miles apart) that are manned by adults and older students.

This note on the front cover of the "Backpacking Information Booklet" informs the new backpackers that while some camping skills are learned along the way, this five week adventure primarily teaches leadership skills, builds self-confidence and develops teamwork and perseverance. For most young men, spending a week hiking 50 miles down the Appalachian Trail in New Jersey's western counties is not terribly challenging physically (as long as it doesn't rain too much). The really hard part of the week-long overnight trip, in fact, is getting along with the seven other people in the team: with one another's loud mouths and terrible cooking, with reluctant walkers, and bad jokes, for five straight days. "Stay together," mentally, emotionally, and spiritually is the only rule of the Backpacking Project.

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