Leadership Development Program
Wilderness Trip

Campers will start their trip at Sherman Lake YMCA, where they will do a gear check and pack out all personal and group gear. Group gear is supplied by Sherman Lake Y and includes tents, cooking gear, food, first aid supplies, and water treatment systems. On Sunday, campers will depart and head up to the Upper Peninsula. They will camp in the U.P. for one night, doing team-building exercises and learning necessary skills for backcountry camping, cooking, and hygiene. On Monday, the group will drive to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, get packs on, and hike to our first campsite of the trip! Each day, the group will hike to a new campsite while taking in the stunning views of Lake Michigan. The group will average about 6 miles of hiking daily during their four days on the trail. On Thursday, the group will hike out of the backcountry, load back into the van, and drive to Petoskey State Park, where they will shower, celebrate the completion of the trip, and spend the night. On Friday, the group will return to Sherman Lake, where they will say goodbyes and depart. 

PACKING LIST

Gear*

  • Backpacking backpack with at least a 50L capacity

  • Backpacking sleeping pad, either closed-cell foam or inflatable

  • Sturdy hiking boots that have been broken in before the trip

  • A synthetic-filled sleeping bag with a temperature rating of 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Note: To ensure your camper will be warm throughout the nights in Northern Michigan, we recommend a 20-degree Fahrenheit-rated sleeping bag. Temperature ratings on sleeping bags indicate survival ratings, not comfort ratings. Synthetic-filled sleeping bags are bulkier than down-filled bags. However, they retain their insulating properties even if they get wet. 

  • Two water bottles, each with a 1 liter capacity totaling at least 2 liters

  • Headlamp or small flashlight

  • Sunscreen

  • Bugspray

Clothing for on-trail

  • Two synthetic T-shirts 

  • A pair of synthetic athletic shorts

  • A pair of long pants for hiking and for at camp

  • A pair of lightweight sneakers or sandals to use as camp shoes

  • Two pairs of hiking socks. We recommend merino wool socks which are sweat wicking and provide cushion to prevent blisters.

  • A lightweight synthetic fleece to wear at camp

  • A raincoat

Optional Gear

  • A book, cards, journal, or other small item for entertainment

  • A hat with a brim

  • A beanie/warm hat

  • A camera

  • A bandana

  • An inflatable camping pillow

  • A mess kit including a bowl/plate and a utensil - SLY will provide this for those that don’t have their own!

Items for frontcountry** camping

  • 3 days’ worth of non-trail frontcountry clothing

  • Toiletries

  • A shower towel

**Frontcountry camping is often referred to as car camping because one can drive into a campsite. There is usually access to amenities such as bathrooms. 

*If you are having trouble acquiring certain pieces of equipment, we are happy to help accommodate campers who cannot bring all the items listed—please contact christinaa@ymcasl.org ahead of time if you will need accommodations.