I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.

--Henry David Throeau, Walden, "Where I lived, and What I Lived For"

Backpacking offers a variety of health benefits for participants. For example, a typical backpacking adventure . . .

• Promotes a healthy lifestyle
• Burns an average of 4,000 calories per day
• Has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety
• Stimulates the release of endorphins which increase the body's threshold for pain and affects mood
• Assists in the prevention of osteoporosis due to its weight bearing activity
• Fosters better cardiovascular health
• Increases awareness of the natural environment
• Improves team building skills and fosters therapeutic alliance
• Allows for an emotional cleansing from the artificiality of the world
• Offers opportunities to connect socially with others