NEW for 2009!

Hill Country Backpacking Adventure

Coordinator: Elliott Stixrud

Backpacking is the best way to explore, have fun, and truly appreciate the beautiful wilderness areas of the Texas Hill Country. The heart of this program will be two adventures: a backpacking trip into the rustic hills and canyons of Echo Hill Ranch, and a 2-3 day trek in Lost Maples State Park near Vanderpool. These adventures will help teenagers learn to plan and map out successful wilderness experiences including, the use of GPS and compasses for orienteering, basic and wilderness first aid skills, food/water preparation, and an outdoor ethic that respects wilderness ecology and natural habitats. No formal training or experience is required. Participants should be in good health, love the out of doors and be motivated to work hard as a team member in a supportive outdoor environment.

For boys in the 9th -12th grade as of fall, 2009.

Schedule: June 16th – June 22nd Tuition: $1,550.00

NOTE: Current or former Echo Hill campers, CITs or Counselor Assistants receive an introductory 25% Tuition Discount for themself and for one friend they would like to bring.

For more information email with “Backpacking” in the Subject Line. To register go to www.echohill.org and click on Register Here.

Program Coordinator for Hill Country Backpacking Adventure: Elliott Stixrud is a recent graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School in Wyoming and a Certified Wilderness First Responder. He’s been on the staff at Echo Hill as Coordinator of Backpacking and Ecology Programs for two summers and has developed a love for the rustic beauty of the Hill Country as well as a respect for its wilderness ecology. He enjoys working with teenagers in the outdoors where everyone can build their confidence, have fun, and learn backpacking and ecological skills. Elliott graduated in 2007 from Denison University where he was Coordinator Outdoor Backing and now is an environmental consultant in Washington, D.C.

Elliott Stixrud: Director of the Hill Country Backpacking Camp