Intro to Backpacking-Water in the Wild

Name: Intro to Backpacking-Water in the Wild
Start: 2026-04-04T09:00:00-04:00
Location: 1314 Haycreek Rd, Birdsboro, PA 19508, United States

Schedule

Sat, 04 Apr, 2026 at 09:00 am

UTC-04:00

Location

1314 Haycreek Rd, Birdsboro, PA 19508, United States | Birdsboro, PA

In Part 1, we will focus on one of the most essential backpacking skills: finding and treating safe drinking water in the wild.
During this guided hike at the Birdsboro Reservoir, Morgan, your adventure guide, will demonstrate two common backpacking filtration methods, including how to use an emergency LifeStraw and a squeeze-style water filter. Participants will learn how backpackers safely collect drinking water from natural sources such as streams and creeks, while also discussing the potential risks of waterborne illnesses and how to avoid them.
We will also talk about how to read water reports for the area where you plan to adventure and when boiling water may still be the safest option—especially when cooking on a backpacking trip.
This class takes place during a relaxed 3.1-mile out-and-back hike. At the halfway point, we’ll stop near one of the reservoirs to talk about Birdsboro’s water source and the surrounding landscape. If we’re lucky, we may even see local climbers practicing on the nearby rock faces.
This hike is designed to be informative, approachable, and a great introduction to the practical skills that make backpacking both safe and enjoyable.
Attendees are welcome to bring their own LifeStraw or personal filtration system if they have one and would like to practice using it during the hike.
This is Part 1 of a three-part Intro to Backpacking series. Future sessions will cover how to properly pack your backpack for an overnight trip and will culminate in a guided overnight experience on the Appalachian Trail.