Backpacking Project

          The five week adventure of the St. Benedict's Backpacking Project teaches leadership skills, builds self-confidence and develops team work and perseverance. For most 14-yr olds, 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). Rather the really hard part of the week-long overnight trip is just getting along with the seven other people in the team: with one another's loud mouths and terrible cooking, with reluctant walkers, and with bad jokes for five straight days. "Stay together, " mentally, emotionally, and spiritually is the Golden Rule of the Backpacking Project.

Click on the following links for more information:

• Letter to the Backpacker
• Project Description
• Course Requirements
• Important Notes
• General Health and Safety
• General Health and Safety Rules
• Picture Gallery