Colorado Backpacking : Online and Extended Programs : Texas State University

Department of Health and Human Performance
Location: Abiqui, New Mexico and Durango, CO
Course: REC 4335: Outdoor Recreation Programming or REC 5381: Outdoor Program Leadership and Administration
CRN: TBD
Program Director: Dr. Anthony Deringer, sd1287@txstate.edu
Course Dates: Summer first 8 weeks, May 26 - July 20, 2026
Travel: July 6 - 13, 2026
Program Fee: $1,082
Course Tuition: Undergraduate $1,068.24, Graduate $1,289.58
*Financial Aid eligible

Program Itinerary

Students will plan a backpacking trip and then participate in the planned outing. This allows students to learn about outdoor programming in an engaging and experiential way.

Date	Travel from	Travel to	Camping Location
Monday, July 6	TxState Campus	Echo	Echo amphitheater
Tuesday, July 7	Echo	Travel to Durango	Durango camp
Wednesday, July 8	Backpack	Backpacking	Dispersed
Thursday, July 9	Backpacking	Backpacking	Dispersed
Friday, July 10	Backpacking	Backpacking	Dispersed
Saturday, July 11	Backpacking	Backpacking	Durango
Sunday, July 12	Durango	Balmohea State Park	Balmorhea Sate Park
Monday, July 13	Balmorhea	Texas State Campus	Home

*Itinerary is subject to change. Students will solidify the itinerary during class prior to travel.

Application Process

Follow these steps to enroll.

STEP 1

Complete SIA student application. Deadline is February 1, 2026.

STEP 2

Applications reviewed by Program Directors & OXP.

STEP 3

Pay $50 program deposit. Deadline is February 22, 2026.

STEP 4

Program FAQ

Expand FAQ List

General Information
- Who is eligible to participate in the program?
  
  All undergraduate and graduate students in good standing at Texas State are eligible to participate in the course and SIA program. Priority will be given to Recreation majors and minors. Program capacity is 15 students.
- Will I need to be in person at the San Marcos campus for the course?
  
  The associated course will be online asynchronous; however, there will be one required in-person pre-program orientation meeting on the San Marcos campus.
Costs
- What is included in the program fee?
  The program fee includes:
  - Lodging
  - Some group meals
  - Program supplies
  - All program activities
  - Transportation throughout the entirety of the trip. We will depart San Marcos as a group in rental vans and drive for the duration of the trip.
- What is NOT included in the program fee?
  - Some meals
  - Any additional activities students participate in during program free time.
  - Course tuition.
- What is the program deposit?
  
  Students are required to pay a $50 nonrefundable program deposit to secure their spot in the program. The deposit is applied to the overall program fee.
- Is Study in America Financial Aid eligible?
  
  Yes, SIA programs are financial aid eligible; however, eligibility can vary by student award. Students should always confirm with TXST One Stop whether their financial aid will cover the course tuition and program fee.
Program Preparation
- Is lodging included?
  
  Yes, it will be outdoor-style accommodations.
- Will I need to provide my transportation?
  
  No, all transportation, via driving, will be provided in the program fee. The group will depart from San Marcos, travel to New Mexico and Colorado, and return to San Marcos together.
- Is there a dress code for specific visits?
  
  No, however, certain clothing will be recommended for the backpacking trip.
- What supplies do I need?
  
  TXST will provide all backpacking and fishing equipment. Students will need to provide clothing, personal items, and a fishing license.
- Will there be down time on the trip?
  
  Yes, we will have time each day to fish, swim, journal, and enjoy nature.
- What type of personal expenses should I budget?
  
  You will be responsible for roughly 4 days of food. Food is included when we are on the backpacking trip aside from personal snacks.
Drop & Refund Policy
- Course Tuition Refund
  
  Refunds for a dropped extension course are given according to university policy for regular university courses on campus. Refer to the TXST One Stop for more information.
- SIA Program Fee Refund
  
  Students may receive a refund for the program fee if they drop/withdraw within the refund schedule. The program fee refund policy is separate from the refund deadlines associated with course tuition costs. See full drop/refund policy.
  Please note the course start date is not the first day of travel.