Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Summer Semester 2026

Introduction to Backpacking (Face-to-Face)

ORPT 1030-01

Course: ORPT 1030-01
Credits: 2
Term: Summer Semester 2026
Department: PEHP
CRN: 20364

Course Description

This course is designed to offer students the foundational knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to efficiently backpack in wilderness settings on their own. The course will cover navigation, trip planning and logistics, outdoor living skills, environmental integration, nutrition and ration planning, equipment selection, and risk management. (Fall, Spring, Summer [As Needed]) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll

Required Texts

Allen & Mike's Really Cool Backpackin' Book: Traveling & Camping Skills For A Wilderness Environment (Allen & Mike's Series)  ISBN: 1560449128


Required Materials

Students will need to provide the following equipment/gear:
  1. Backpacking pack (50-60L capacity recommended)*
  2. Sleeping bag*
  3. Sleeping pad*
  4. Sturdy hiking boots or shoes (closed-toed footwear required)
  5. Water bottle or bladder
  6. Headlamp (recommended) or flashlight
  7. Eating utensils (mug/bowl and fork/spoon)
  8. Food for overnight trip
*These items are available for rent from SUU Outdoors

Transportation and group gear (tents/shelters, camp stoves, cook pot and utensils, first aid kit, maps/navigation, water filter/treatment) will be provided. Students may use their own tent/shelter and cooking equipment if they have it.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Explain the importance of Leave No Trace principles and outdoor ethics related to backpacking
  2. Become familiar with contemporary backpacking equipment/techniques
  3. Plan a 3-day backpacking trip
  4. Use skills to stay relatively comfortable, sound and healthy in outdoor environments
  5. Understand risk management processes for backpacking
  6. Become familiar with online resources related to backpacking


Course Requirements

  1. Overnight Backpacking Trip: This class includes a mandatory overnight trip that will occur on a weekend. Students will be able to choose between two different trip options. It is your responsibility to get time off work or other commitments in order to attend this portion of the course. Failure to participate in the overnight trip will result in being unsuccessful in the class. Please meet with the instructor to discuss options - including dropping the class - if you cannot commit to the trip.
  2. Personal Gear Inventory: This assignment will allow students and the instructor to understand gear needs for the overnight backpacking trip.
  3. Textbook Reading Responses: Students will submit short responses to assigned readings from the textbook 
  4. Article/Video Response: Students will locate an article, video, or similar resource related to a relevant topic of their choice and submit a short essay-style response.
  5. Leave No Trace 101 Certificate: Students will complete a free online Leave No Trace training and assessment
  6. Map Quiz: Complete a short quiz about topographic maps and compass use
  7. Trip Journal: Students will complete a reflection assignment following the overnight trip
  8. Photo in the Field: Submit a photo from the trip of something you found interesting, unique or memorable
  9. Backpacking Trip Plan: Research and create a 3-day (minimum) trip plan for a location of your choice

Grading

The following grading standards will be used in this class:
  • 100 to 94.0% A
  • 90.0 to <94.0% A-
  • 87.0 to <90.0% B+
  • 84.0 to <87.0% B
  • 80.0 to <84.0% B-
  • 77.0 to <80.0% C+
  • 74.0 to <77.0% C
  • 70.0 to <74.0% C-
  • 67.0 to <70.0% D+
  • 64.0 to <67.0% D
  • 61.0 to <64.0% D-
  • 0.0 to <61.0% F

There are a total of 370 points in the course:
  • Overnight Backpacking Trip, 200 points
  • Personal Gear Inventory, 10 points
  • Textbook Reading Responses, 10 points each x 2 = 20 points
  • Article/Video Responses, 10 points each x 2 = 20 points
  • Leave No Trace 101 Certificate, 25 points
  • Map Quiz, 10 points
  • Trip Journal, 25 points
  • Photo in the Field, 10 points
  • Backpacking Trip Plan, 50 points

Course Outline

The following topics and skills will be covered in the course:
  1. Fitting and loading a backpack
  2. Stove use
  3. Campsite selection
  4. Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics
  5. Hazards, safety, and first aid
  6. Nutrition, meal planning, cooking, and food storage
  7. Reading a topo map and basic compass use
  8. Water treatment methods
  9. WISE clothing and proper layering
  10. Shelters/tents/tarps

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

All learning activities will be posted on Canvas and include clear instructions, learning objectives, evaluation rubric, and submission instructions. Any assignment that needs to be turned in will have posted due dates and times. Due dates will be 11:59pm on Sunday, and Wednesday. You are always welcome to turn in assignments early.

Work will be accepted up to 48 hours (2 days) past the posted deadline with no penalty. Extensions beyond the 2-day grace period are granted on a case-by-case basis and may be given for extenuating circumstances with appropriate communication. Late assignments received >48 hours past the posted due date will receive half of the total points earned. Late assignments without an extension will not be accepted more than 7 days past the posted due date. No "extra credit" or alternative assignments will be granted to "make up" for missed learning activities. 

Attendance Policy

This is an experiential course: you will not be successful if you do not attend and participate in class.

Attendance will be taken at each class meeting and tracked in Canvas. Students will be marked as Present, Absent (Excused), Absent (Unexcused), or Late. Students receive one unexcused absence without penalty. Because it is important to practice hands-on skills and interact with your classmates before the overnight backpacking trip, the following penalties will apply: 2 absences = 20% deduction from final grade; 3 absences = 30% deduction from final grade; 4 absences = failing grade.

Students who miss 2 or more classes before their overnight trip date will not be allowed to attend the trip unless they meet the criteria for an excused absence.

Absences may be excused in the following circumstances:
  • Illness or urgent health need
  • University excused absences
  • As part of an accommodation authorized and communicated by the DRC
  • Family emergency
  • Other emergency or extenuating circumstance appropriately communicated to the professor
  • Pregnancy accommodations
  • Military service

Absences will not be excused for the following circumstances:
  • Work
  • Vacations
  • Weddings/honeymoons
  • Routine healthcare appointments

Course Format

This course is taught face-to-face with activities taking place indoors and outdoors. Students should be prepared to spend an hour or more outdoors during regularly scheduled class periods. All non-textbook course materials will be provided on Canvas. Students need a reliable internet connection and device (desktop, laptop, or tablet recommended) to access course materials and complete and submit class assignments.

The course includes a mandatory overnight backpacking trip. The specific trip itinerary and location details will be provided in advance of the scheduled trip. Students should be prepared and able to navigate varied terrain, carry a fully loaded backpack weighing up to 30-40 pounds, and take care of their personal care and hygiene needs in a backcountry setting. Please contact the instructor if you have any questions or concerns.


Risk Statement

This course includes or could include, a laboratory, physical activity, personal travel, or field trips. Participation in the course may expose me to certain foreseeable and unforeseeable risks of injury such as, but not limited to illness, injury or even death. Knowing of these risks, I freely and voluntarily participate in the course and hereby agree to assume and accept any and all associated risks.  


ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.