Backpacking
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out backpacking events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the backpacking events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find backpacking events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Backpacking Events Today
Join in-person Backpacking events happening right now
2026 Licking County Gardening Conference - Unusual Gardens in Your Backyard $60
Save the Date ๐ฑ
The Licking County Master Gardener Volunteers invite you to the annual gardening conference, open to everyone who enjoys growing plants.
๐
Saturday, March 14, 2026
๐ OSU Newark Campus - Reese center
๐๏ธ Tickets go on sale in January and this event fills fast, sells out every year
๐ฟ 2026 Theme: Unusual Gardens in Your Backyard
You will hear practical ideas that help you rethink small spaces and try new approaches at home. This conference also arrives at the perfect time of year. It helps soothe the urge to get outside while winter is still around. Central Ohio gardeners wait until late May to plant outdoors, so this day helps you plan and daydream about spring projects.
Speakers
โข Joseph Tychonievich, author of Rock Gardening: Reimagining a Classic Style
โข Debra Knapke, The Garden Sage
โข Denise Schreiber, author of Eat Your Roses
You will find vendors, a silent raffle, and friendly conversations with other gardeners.
Registration
โข Register by January 31 to pay 50 dollars
โข Starting February 1, the fee is 60 dollars
โข Tickets at the door are 75 dollars
โข Boxed lunch, coffee and pastries are included
MGV website: [https://fourseasonsofgardening.org/2026-spring-conference](https://fourseasonsofgardening.org/2026-spring-conference)
9:00-9:20 Registration & Complimentary Muffins & Vendor Visits
(Auditorium)
9:20-9:30 Welcome & Opening Remarks
(Auditorium)
9:30-10:20 Denise Schreiber, โMrs Know It Allโ Pittsburg, PA
Beyond the Garden Gate, Peeking at the Neighborโs
(Ballroom/Hallway).
10:20โ10:40 Break-Visit Vendors & Raffle Tables
(Auditorium)
10:40โ11:30 Debra Knapke, โThe Garden Sageโ
Columbus Ohio
Wanting it AllโEvolving as a Gardener
(Ballroom)
11:30-12:15 Lunch (Catered/Visit Vendors & Raffle Tables
12:30โ1:00
Break OutโSession 1
(Ballroom) Dawn Seymour
Hungry for Change: Avoiding โthe Jonesโโ with Intentional Design
(Auditorium) Ryan Slaughter, Ross County Ag. & Natural
Resources Extension Educator
Growing Berries in Home Gardens
(Ballroom)
1:10โ1:40 Break Out Session 2
Dawn Seymour
Hungry for Change: Avoiding โthe Jonesโโ with Intentional
Design
(Auditorium) Ryan Slaughter
Growing Berries in the Home Garden
(Ballroom/Hallway)
1:40-2:10 Break: Final Visit to Vendors & Raffle Tables
2:10โ3:00 Joseph Tychonievich, South Bend, IN, Writer, Plant Breeder, Gardener
Big Ideas, Small Spaces: Making Creative Gardens on Small Properties
Saturday Mornings @ East Market
Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating.
Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator.
Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."
Walk & Talk About Life's Big Questions
[The Board Walks](http://www.theboardwalks.com/) are for curious people who love deep conversations.
If that sounds like you, **bring a thoughtful topic** and join us for a 5-mile walk (10,000+ steps!).
**HOW IT WORKS**
**Step 1: Bring a topic**
Before you arrive, think of **one** topic you want to explore. A question. A thought that's been on your mind. An obsession you want to geek out on. This is your ticket to the event.
**Step 2: Circle up & share**
We gather in a circle. Your friendly walk host gives a speech to set the tone. Everyone shares: your name, what you're grateful for, and your topic. That's it. 60 seconds.
**Step 3: Walk, talk & float**
We walk 5 miles. You naturally drift into conversation with 2-3 people at a time, pulled by topics that spark your curiosity. When you're ready to move on, just say: "I'm going to float!"
**Step 4: Feel more alive**
Two hours flies by. You're back where you started โ but you feel different. More alive. More energized. More connected to yourself and others. That's why regulars join 20+ times.
*For more details, read our [Orientation Guide.](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation)*
**HOW TO BRING A GREAT TOPIC**
A great topic = something you're genuinely curious about.
Recent topics include:
* "What are you passionate about right now?"
* "What makes a good friend?"
* "What's a belief you used to hold that you've completely changed?"
* "How do you want to be remembered?"
* "What would you do if money wasn't a factor?"
Think of your topic like the dish you're bringing to our conversational potluck. If everyone brings an A+ dish (i.e. energizing, uplifting, expansive), we'll all walk away feeling lighter and brighter.
**WHAT TO EXPECT**
This isn't a fitness event with casual chitchat. It's a walking think tank where we explore life's big questions together, beyond small talk. *If you're looking for light banter or a standard networking event, this probably isn't the right fit.*
But if you crave depth, genuine connection, and conversations that make you feel alive? You'll love it here.
**FAQ**
* Wear casual athletic attire and sneakers. It's a long walk!
* We have multiple first-timers at each event. We work hard to create a welcoming, inclusive, clique-free space.
* We welcome people of **all** ages, backgrounds, and industries who align with the [intention](https://www.theboardwalks.com/ground-rules) of this space.
* Rain or shine, we've been out here nearly every week since July 2022. If the event is cancelled, we'll let you know.
* Dogs, babies in strollers, parents, and friends are welcome โ please text/email them the event link so they can RSVP and prepare a topic!
**LOGISTICS**
* If you'll arrive over 10 minutes late, we suggest skipping the event. It's hard to find us once we start walking, and your host can't answer messages during the event.
* This walk is designed for everyone to *move together at the same steady pace* (about 20 min/mile). This format works best when the whole group moves in unison. If you have mobility limitations, we kindly encourage you to find an event better suited to your needs.
* Read our [Orientation Guide](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation) for full details.
* If you enjoy the event, send **[this](http://www.theboardwalks.com/)** to a friend or sign up for our **[newsletter](https://theboardwalks.beehiiv.com/)**. We're in multiple cities with more on the way. ๐ค ๐
**IF YOU WANT TO GO DEEPER...**
[The Board](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board) is the next step: a high-trust collective for renaissance people devoted to creating, connecting, and building lives that light us up.
* This is a global HQ for people who crave big talk, deep connection, and dream collaborations with people across industries. If the walks feel like a spark... The Board is the fire. Apply [here](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board).
Yoga for Mental Wellbeing - Free - In-person Session
This session offers tools to bring balance to the body and mind for a holistic experience of inner wellbeing. The practices offered include:
**Nadi Shuddhi**: A yogic practice that cleanses the nadis โ the pathways through which pranic energy flows โ resulting in a balanced system and psychological wellbeing.
**Miracle of Mind Meditation**: A 7-minute guided meditation empowering you to take charge of your mental wellbeing. Daily practice brings health, dynamism, peace and well being.
**Benefits**:
Enhances vitality, focus, memory and productivity
Stabilizes the body, mind and emotions
Reduces stress and anxiety
1270 Brentnell Ave
Columbus OH 43219
Contact:614-233-1892
columbus@ishausa.org
Saturday,March14,2026
12.00 PM-1.00 PM
1 Hour session
Free & Open to all
<[Registration link](https://innerengineering.sadhguru.org/free-yoga?type=in-person)>
Anyone ages 18+ can register and attend
Ages: 12+ (those 12-17 to be accompanied by a parent/guardian)
Backpacking Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Whitehall Park Hike
Join us for 2.5 mile hike at the Whitehall Community Park leaving from the Whitehall YMCA. We will do two 1.25 loops around the park all on a paved path, including one significant hill.
Birthday Brunch: Celebrating March Birthdays
Join us as we celebrate our March birthdays in style at the fabulous and upscale Guild House in downtown Columbus.
Known for its warm, sophisticated atmosphere and beautifully curated menu, Guild House is the perfect setting for an elegant birthday brunch. Enjoy delicious brunch favorites, seasonal specialties, and handcrafted cocktails in a space that blends modern style with inviting charm.
This gathering is our way of celebrating the incredible members of our community who are marking another trip around the sun in March. Whether you're a birthday guest or simply joining the celebration, expect great food, uplifting conversation, and the kind of positive energy that makes our events special.
Weโre truly grateful for the continued support of our members โ itโs what allows this community to grow and these experiences to happen.
Follow Black Love & Friends on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/share/17oXQtZz36/) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/blackloveandfriends?igsh=djVrYnhqeG5nMjBx) to stay connected and be the first to hear about upcoming brunches, social gatherings, and other exciting member-only events.
โจ Good food
โจ Great company
โจ A beautiful celebration of community
Sunday Brunch
Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!
๐ฅ Live Salsa Band! ๐ฅ Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue Dancing!๐ฅ
๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ง ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฌ๐
๐ฅ ๐
๐๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ :
๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐: ๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฒ๐!
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๐ฅ ๐๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก ๐๐
๐ฅ ๐ ๐ฉ๐ฆ โ ๐ ๐๐ฆ
.
๐ฃ Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue
๐ฃ Dancing All Night Long!
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๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ค๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ญ:
[https://columbussalsadancing.com/live-salsa-band-tickets-early/](https://columbussalsadancing.com/live-salsa-band-tickets-early/)
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Lincoln Street Salsa
1717 Brice Rd
Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068
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๐ฃ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
8:00 pm โ 8:30 pm
.
๐ฃ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ง๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐จ๐ง!
8:30 pm โ 9:30 pm
.
๐ฃ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ง ๐๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ก
๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐!
9:30 pm โ 1:00 am
.
โ
Cover Includes Dance Lesson and/or Party!
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๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ค๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ญ:
[https://columbussalsadancing.com/live-salsa-band-tickets-early/](https://columbussalsadancing.com/live-salsa-band-tickets-early/)
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๐ $๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ค๐๐ญ๐ฌ (๐๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐/๐๐ @ ๐ ๐ฉ๐ฆ!)
.
๐ $๐๐ ๐๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ซ
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โ
๐๐จ ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฒ!
โ
๐๐จ ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ง๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ซ๐๐!
โ
Always Other People to Dance With!
โ
Singles, Couples,
Beginners, and
Pros Welcome!
.
โ
BYOB
โ
18+
.
โ
๐๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ? ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ: LincolnStreetSalsa.com
๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ฑ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐๐: ๐๐๐-๐๐๐-๐๐๐๐
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๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ค๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ญ:
[https://columbussalsadancing.com/live-salsa-band-tickets-early/](https://columbussalsadancing.com/live-salsa-band-tickets-early/)
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Sunday Afternoon Coffee @ Porterโs Coffee House 194 W. Church St. Pickerington
Join us for a casual chat over coffee & tea at Porterโs Coffee House. Come out and meet some new people, enjoy your favorite drink, and make some new friends!
Backpacking Events Near You
Connect with your local Backpacking community
Sharon Woods HIKE
Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area. If trail conditions are poor, we will use the Multipurpose Path.
Hike Blendon Woods Metro Park
Hi ladies. We will meet in front of the Nature Center and head to the two Observation decks. We will then hike Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook and Sugarbush trails to get approximately four miles total distance. We will walk approximately a 18 minute mile pace. Please wear appropriate hiking shoes.
BASEBALL IS BACK!! Clippers' Home Saturday Opener!!! โพ ๐งข ๐ญ ๐ ๐งจ ๐ ๐ฝ ๐ฆ
๐บ๐ธ
**Summary**
Celebrate America's 250th year and the [Columbus Clippers'](https://www.milb.com/columbus) 50th season by watching [Franklin County's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus_Clippers) best team play the [best game in the world](https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/babe_ruth_140116) at [one of the ten best](https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/minors/2025/03/26/huntington-park-voted-top-10-minor-league-ballparks-usa-today-10best-awards/82656048007/) baseball stadiums in the United States in their 2026 home Saturday opener!
The first pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. The gates always open an hour before the scheduled first pitch. I'm usually at the ballpark a half an hour before the scheduled first pitch. Clippers' games usually last around two and a half hours.
Being a few minutes early will help us secure good seats.
**Parking**
I personally always like to park in the [McConnell Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/McConnell+Garage/@39.9685114,-83.0103938,17z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388f24145462d1:0x6238c0f0c851ab70!8m2!3d39.9692957!4d-83.0081175!16s%2Fg%2F1jkw6y27y?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). If nothing else is going on in the area, this should be $7. However, I've also seen it be as high as $22. I can't say for certain what it will be for this game, but once I know, I will post in the comments.
Alternately, there are other lots in the area you can try which will probably be a few dollars cheaper. [Here is a map](https://img.mlbstatic.com/milb-images/image/upload/q_auto/milb/ernng44ya2xkr4wbheql) of all the garages and lots surrounding the stadium. Keep in mind that many of these are outdoor lots and your car will be out in the elements.
If you decide to look for a different lot, I would mildly recommend either the Buggyworks Lot or the Broadbelt Lot, but I have never parked in either of these myself. Although it won't apply for this game, keep in mind that street parking is also free citywide in Columbus on [Sundays and holidays](https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/1/public-service/right-of-way-permit/on-street-parking-out-of-service-policy-and-procedure-final-8.15.2022-signed.pdf).
**Where We'll Be**
Here is a [map of the ballpark](https://img.mlbstatic.com/milb-images/image/upload/milb/qkqohbqjgtx5uwo6zkgn.pdf).
We'll be sitting on Level 3 of the [Left Field Building](https://www.milb.com/columbus/ballpark/huntington-park) (aka the "AEP Power Pavilion"), which features a 110 foot bar with six open patios overlooking the field. This area is covered and will be out of any sun or rain that may transpire.
If you enter the park through the Center Field Entrance (which is at the intersection of Nationwide Blvd. and Neil Ave.), there will be a door to your immediate right after you enter that leads to a staircase up into the Tower.
This door is not well-marked, and if you've never been to Huntington Park before, you may wonder if you're actually allowed to go in and up the stairs. Yes, you are.
We'll be on the Tower's "Level 3". I have uploaded to the Photos section of this event page, below, a picture of the sign you want look for after you ascend the stairs, so you'll know you're on the correct floor.
**Tickets**
Do not buy your tickets ahead of time. They will literally be twice as expensive if you buy them on Ticketmaster.
Instead, go to the ticket window near the Center Field Entrance. Buy a *Standing Room Only* ticket (don't worry, you won't be standing), which will cost you a flat $8 with no other taxes or fees.
These tickets never sell out, and this is the cheapest way to get into the park.
**Carry-Ins**
Per the team's [website](https://www.milb.com/columbus/ballpark/a-z-guide): "Soft-sided coolers are permitted in the general seating area [which is where we'll be], but not hard-sided coolers; also no alcohol, glass bottles, or cans will be permitted. SMALL bags or backpacks of food items and beverages in plastic bottles are ok. Reusable water bottles are permitted, but must be empty upon arrival. Diaper bags are allowed."
I always bring a disposable plastic bottle of water and refill it as I need at the park. Bottled water at the game is something like 4 or 5 dollars. So if you want a bottle of water, I recommend bringing your own bottle instead of buying it at the park.
**Food & Drink**
The area we'll be in has burgers, hot dogs, salads, soft pretzels, ice cream, and other sorts of things you would expect at a baseball game. I've posted pics of the menu in the Photos section, below.
The burger and fries are $14 plus tax, and they're not bad. (This is what I usually get.) The beer is *really* overpriced. It's like $9, or $20 for a pitcher. If there's some people to help me drink it, though, I'll buy a pitcher of Michelob Ultra.
While we'll be on the penultimate floor of the Tower, the top floor (which has a great view, but is fully exposed to the elements) has a [Dirty Frank's](https://dirtyfranks.com/) hot dog stand. I've never gotten anything from there, though I've been told it's good.
The Donatos pizza stand is also a very short walk away from where we'll be. I love Donatos, but the pizza is so expensive at the ballpark. It's like $9 for a personal-sized pepperoni. It is good, though.
**Peroration**
Let's (watch them) play ball!
























