Expedition Preparation Tips

Planning for your Expedition

It is fun to plan out your gear for your adventure, but gear is only half the preparation. The other half is you! Your enjoyment and success on a YMCA Camp Cherokee BOLD or GOLD expedition depends on several other factors:

Fitness: Any reasonably fit and active teen will be able to handle one of our expeditions.
Motivation: A desire to have fun and challenge yourself in spirit, mind and body. It will not always be easy – you must be motivated!
Teamwork: Your ability to build leadership, communication, and decision-making skills through shared challenges, problem solving, and fun.
General Health: If you are not already, begin to cut back on sugary foods and drinks. Choose to drink water rather than caffeinated drinks or sweet tea. Eat balanced meals making healthy choices of fruits, whole grains, vegetables and proteins. Follow the healthy eating plate and don’t skip meals. Get plenty of rest and stay active.

Your adventure will be significantly more enjoyable if you have a basic to intermediate level of fitness depending on your expedition and well-broken-in boots. We cannot overemphasize the importance of well-broken-in boots. Hiking with blisters is not very much fun! The training table below is designed to help you properly break in your boots and develop a solid fitness base.

Basic Pre-Trip Training Plan

Four weeks before your departure day: Wear your boots for 15-30 minutes a day to walk around your house or neighborhood so your boots will begin to conform to your feet.
Three weeks before your departure day: Take three half-hour hikes or walks in your boots.
Two weeks before your departure day: Take three 45-minute hikes or walks in your boots.
One week before your departure day: Take three hour-long hikes or walks in your boots.

Intermediate Pre-Trip Training Plan

Five weeks before your trip: Wear your boots for 15-30 minutes a day to walk around your house or neighborhood so your boots will begin to conform to your feet.
Four weeks before your trip: Take three 30-minute hikes or walks in your boots.
Three weeks before your trip: Take three 60-minute hikes or walks in your boots.
Two weeks before your trip: Take three 1-hour hikes or walks in your boots with a backpack loaded with 10% of your body weight.
One week before your trip start: Take two 2-hour hikes or walks in your boots with a backpack loaded with 15-20% of your body weight.

Have a question?

Here is our BOLD & GOLD Parents’ Manual that will help answer many of your questions.

Please feel free to contact Will Gilmore at 803.222.2850 or willgilmore@ymcaup.org with any additional questions or concerns.