About Hiking & Camping In Lake Tahoe
Hiking and camping in the Sierra Nevada is challenging, rewarding, and a lot of fun. In our courses, you’ll spend time on real trails, practice skills hands-on, and learn how to travel safely and confidently in the backcountry.
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These courses are part of the WEOL program and are designed for anyone who wants to get outside, learn practical skills, and develop leadership in the wilderness. Whether this is your first hike of the season trip or you’re looking to take your backcountry skills to the next level, we’ll help you get there.
Hiking: Beginning – If you’re new to backpacking or want to solidify the basics, this is your starting point. You’ll learn how to pack properly, travel efficiently, select campsites, cook in the backcountry, and care for the landscapes you’re exploring. No prior experience required.
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Camping: 3-Day – Here we go deeper with a 2-night 3-day backpacking trip on more complex terrain. Stronger emphasis on navigation, group dynamics, and decision-making. You’ll refine your systems and start thinking not just about “how” to backpack, but why you make certain choices in the field.​​
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We meet students where they are. Each level builds on the last.
Course Format & Time Commitment
WEOL hiking and camping courses combine field-based instruction with hands-on skill development in real backcountry settings. Students build practical systems for wilderness travel through guided experience, reflection, and progressive challenge.
Course length:​
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Hiking: Beginning: 3 days
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Camping: Beginning: 3 days (1 overnight)
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* Each course includes a required one-hour Zoom session.
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What to Expect
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A combination of on-campus preparation and extended field experience
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Progressive skill development in real backcountry terrain
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Hands-on practice with navigation, trip planning, and camp systems
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Group travel with rotating leadership roles
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Full participation during all scheduled field days and overnight trips
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Daily schedules, meeting locations, total instructional hours, and trip-specific details are provided with each course offering.
These courses are built around real-world experience, where learning happens through doing. Instead of just discussing skills, you’ll be actively practicing and applying them in the field.
What You’ll Learn
You’ll build practical backcountry skills including:
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Planning safe and efficient hiking routes
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Navigating confidently with map and compass
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Organizing and leading overnight trips
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Packing light and smart
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Cooking and managing food systems in the field
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Finding and treating water sources
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Applying Leave No Trace in real environments
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Choosing safe, sustainable campsites
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Assessing weather and changing conditions
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Communicating and leading within a group
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Making sound decisions in dynamic outdoor settings
Course Fees & What You'll Get
Approximate Costs:
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Hiking: Beginning
CA Residents = $15.50
Non-CA Residents = $153.50

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Caming: Beginning
CA Residents = $38.75
Non-CA Residents = $383.75​
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Additional Course Fees:
Hiking: Beginning: $27.00
Camping: Beginning: $52.00
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When you enroll in a Hiking & Camping course, you’re getting more than instruction time.
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Materials You'll Receive:​​​
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Rite in the Rain notebook with Mini pencil
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WEOL branded chapstick
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WEOL branded mini sunscreen
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Mini hand sanitizer
Transportation & Logistics
To make your backpacking experience smooth and eco-friendly, WEOL provides transportation for all field trips. Our new Suburbans allow us to safely shuttle students and gear directly to trailheads without crowding parking areas or trails.
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This means you can focus on learning and enjoying the backcountry, while we handle the logistics responsibly. Whether it’s a short overnight or an 8-day expedition, transportation is included, reducing stress and keeping your experience efficient and environmentally conscious.
Nature
Lovers
Who it’s for
Outdoor Enthusiasts
Outdoor Educators
Mountain Climbers
Weekend Adventurers
You & Your Backcountry Partner
Meet Your Instructor
Name & preferred pronouns: Kendall Madsen (she/her)
Favorite outdoor activities: I don't think I have a favorite; I love them all. Backpacking, mountain biking, fishing, camping, wake surfing.
Favorite outdoor piece of gear: My pillow
Favorite outdoor meal: As of last year, it's backcountry cake that a fellow instructor Freeman made.
Name & preferred pronouns: Freeman George (he/him)
Favorite outdoor activities: Back country Skiing, and Climbing
Favorite outdoor piece of gear: My Tele Skis
Favorite outdoor meal: Baguette, cheese and Salmami
Course Prerequisites
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None
Prerequisites
& Advisories
FAQ
1. Do I need prior experience?
No prior experience is required. These courses are designed for beginners who want to build confidence and learn foundational skills for safe and enjoyable backcountry travel.
2. How physically demanding are these courses?
Participants should be comfortable hiking for several hours while carrying a daypack or backpack. The course is designed to build skills progressively and accommodate a range of experience levels.
3. What gear do I need to bring??
Students will need basic outdoor clothing, sturdy footwear, and personal camping gear. A detailed gear list will be provided before the course so you know exactly what to bring.
4. What happens if the weather turns bad?
Weather is part of wilderness travel and part of what we teach you to navigate. Trips are planned with safety as the priority. Instructors continuously assess conditions and adjust plans when necessary. Learning to adapt safely is built into the experience.
5. Will we spend nights camping?
Yes. The camping:beginning course includes an overnight camping section where students practice campsite setup, backcountry cooking, and overnight systems in real outdoor environments.
Take the First Step
Build the skills, confidence, and knowledge needed to explore the outdoors responsibly.
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View upcoming course dates and register to start your journey.
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Join us.