Santa Barbara-Ventura Sierra Club Basic Backpacking Class

The Santa Barbara-Ventura Sierra Club Basics Backpacking Course will give you the skills and knowledge to confidently go hiking and backpacking. You will work with a dedicated volunteer staff and meet new friends interested in the outdoors. This course is provided by the Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter of the Sierra Club and operates under a special use permit with the Los Padres National Forest. The Sierra Club and this course are equal opportunity providers.

Seven classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 7:00-9:30 p.m., starting on March 5, 2026 and running through April 16, 2026. All classes are held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura 5654 Ralston Street, Ventura CA 93003.

The class lectures will demonstrate backpacking equipment, wilderness ethics, wilderness hazards and safety, water filtration, cooking, navigation, backcountry clothing, trip planning and other topics. Students will gain experience by participating in several outings including day hikes, a car camp, and backpacking trips in our local mountains. Outings will be on trail and moderately strenuous (5-7 miles in length). A habit of regular exercise and hiking is recommended to fully enjoy the course. Students will need to provide their own equipment for the course with the in-class instruction providing the guidance to select the needed equipment.

Class outings are scheduled on weekends for the following dates in 2026.

March 7: Conditioning hike in local mountains

March 21 to 22: Car Camp (overnight) at Malibu Creek State Park

March 28 to 29: Backpack Trip 1 (overnight)

April 11 to 12: Backpack Trip 2 (overnight)

Note the class outings may need to be modified or cancelled due to rain.

Persons 18 years of age and older, and in reasonable health to hike 5 to 7 miles 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. A basic medical information form, emergency contact information and a Liability Waiver are a required part of registration. Note students will need to provide their own transportation to and from the trailhead for the outings.

Sign up now! Discounts are available for Sierra Club members (Sierra Club member number required - link to become a Sierra Club member prior to the Basic Backing Course (BBC) registration is provided below). An email link to ask questions about course is also provided below. Please note that an Eventbrite service fee applies for each electronic purchase.

Sierra Club Membership Link:

https://act.sierraclub.org/donate/rc_connect__campaign_designform?id=70131000001LWbDAAW

Santa Barbara-Ventura Sierra Club Basic Backing Course Email for questions

[email protected]

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Host or Publisher Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter of the Sierra Club