How serious are you about camping? Do you want a complete immersion in nature – backpacking your stuff, all your stuff, into a remote campsite? Or is perhaps enjoying the outdoors on a more relaxed and convenient excursion?

Gulf Shores has two programs to scratch either itch with big weekends for campouts planned for Nov. 7-8. One, a backpacking adventure in the wilds of Cheaha State Park.

“It’s what's in their backpack,” Gulf Shores Fitness Coordinator Holly Howell said. “They're carrying their food. They're carrying their bedding. We're going to filter water and then set up camp and then continue to hike the next day.”

The other option includes overnight family tent stays in Sims Park and will be a little more lowkey. The city will offer to rent tents and supply food including s’mores for a family of four for $50 for the night under the stars, $30 if you bring your own tent.

BACKPACK TRIP

For Howell, this is a labor of love.

“It's my passion,” she said. “I love backpacking. I love camping. I love the survival aspect of it, starting a fire with just a spark. I just, I love all that, so being able to kind of share that with the community and get them outside and practicing those skills and learning those skills, it's just, it makes me happy.”

Howell has a three-phase program that will start locally with hands-on skills training and a hike to put the training to work.

“This program is a great opportunity to learn the basics, build confidence and put your new skills to the test on the trail,” Howell said. “The program includes hands-on learning, a local day hike and an overnight hiking and camping at Cheaha State Park.”

Besides backpacking everything needed to sleep, eat and survive on the trail, the jewel of the trip is a mountain hike that will offer its own challenges.

“It’s 13 miles over the two days. It's like a 2,200-foot elevation gain,” Howell said. “It'll be challenging but doable, but I'm going to teach everybody.”

On Halloween morning, campers will meet at 9 a.m. for a two-hour hike in the Backcountry Trail to put the new skills to use. Then off to the Cheaha mountainside and the Pinhoti Trail.

A final class is set for Nov. 5 at the Cultural Center gymnasium on Oak Road West to learn more about hiking gear, nutrition and hydration on the trail. The class is from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

For residents, the cost of the trip is $80 including transportation in a city van, nonresidents $90. There are six slots available and click here to register.

SIMS PARK CAMPOUT

This is the sing-around-the-campfire trip.

“Spend the night under the stars with the family and enjoy s’mores, a cozy bonfire, games and plenty of family fun,” a release from the city states. “Don’t forget your sleeping bags or bedding, chairs, snacks and drinks, bug repellent and flashlights.”

Grills and pets are not allowed, and families can have more than four members with a $5 cost for extra campers. Register today by clicking here: https://shorturl.at/YAWBJ

For more questions or more information on either program, call (251) 968-9818.