There’s nothing quite like a summer spent in the wilderness. From reaching mountain summits and discovering hidden alpine lakes to sharing laughs around camp after a long day on the trail, the best adventures often become the memories we carry with us long after summer ends. This Summer Camp 2026 season included all of that and more.
This summer, Lasting Adventures campers explored the spectacular landscapes of Yosemite and Olympic National Parks, took on new challenges, learned outdoor skills, and built friendships along the way. With programs ranging from six-day introductory adventures to 13-day backpacking expeditions, there were opportunities for young adventurers of different ages and experience levels to discover what makes the wilderness so special.
Across our 6-Day, 10-Day, and 13-Day Summer Camp programs, Young Adventurers trips, and Young Women’s Adventure programs, campers experienced the magic of spending time outdoors while developing confidence, independence, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
As we look back on another incredible season, we’re celebrating the people, places, and experiences that made summer 2026 one to remember.
Two National Parks, Countless Adventures
This summer, our campers explored two extraordinary national parks, each offering its own unique landscapes, challenges, and opportunities for discovery.
Exploring Yosemite National Park
Towering granite cliffs, alpine lakes, mountain meadows, and miles of wilderness trails made Yosemite an unforgettable setting for our summer adventures.
Throughout their trips, campers experienced the Sierra Nevada beyond the park’s famous viewpoints, discovering the rewards of exploring its backcountry on foot in places like Lyell Canyon and the gorgeous Young Lakes. Days spent hiking through mountain landscapes gave adventurers opportunities to challenge themselves physically, develop their backpacking skills, and experience the satisfaction of reaching a destination together.
Whether setting up camp beneath towering peaks, taking a well-earned break beside an alpine lake, or enjoying the camaraderie of life on the trail, campers discovered that some of Yosemite’s most memorable moments happen far from the crowds.
Discovering Olympic National Park
On the other side of the adventure, Olympic National Park offered campers an entirely different wilderness experience.
From lush temperate rainforests draped in moss to rugged mountain landscapes and the dramatic Pacific coastline, Olympic showcases an incredible diversity of ecosystems. Exploring these environments gave campers the opportunity to experience the natural world in new ways while learning about the importance of protecting the places we visit. This summer, campers spotted exciting wildlife, including starfish, bears, and seals.
Each day brought new discoveries, whether hiking beneath towering trees, exploring mountain trails, or taking in the scenery of the Pacific Northwest. Along the way, campers developed their outdoor skills, strengthened their connections with their fellow adventurers, and gained a deeper appreciation for the wild places around them.
A Summer Program for Every Kind of Adventurer
Every camper arrives with a different background, personality, and level of outdoor experience. That’s part of what makes summer camp so rewarding.
With a variety of trip lengths and specialized programs, Lasting Adventures gives young people opportunities to explore the wilderness, learn new skills, and challenge themselves in a supportive environment.
This summer, we welcomed campers across our 6-Day, 10-Day, and 13-Day Summer Camp programs, along with our Young Adventurers and Young Women’s Adventure trips.
Total Summer Camp Youth in Yosemite
- Total Summer Camp Youth: 150
- Outdoor Ed and School Programs: 149
- Scholarships: 69
- 6-Day Summer Camp: 8 trips, 60 youth
- 10-Day Summer Camp: 2 trips, 18 youth
- 13-Day Summer Camp: 2 trips, 8 youth
- Young Adventurers: 5 trips, 42 youth
- Young Women’s Adventure: 3 trips, 22 youth
- Custom Youth Trips: 2
Total Summer Camp Youth in Olympic
- Total Summer Camp Youth: 74
- Scholarships: 2
- 6-Day Summer Camp: 8 trips, 43 youth
- 10-Day Summer Camp: 2 trips, 10 youth
- 13-Day Summer Camp: 3 trips, 13 youth
- Young Adventurers: 5 trips, 18 youth
Together, these programs offered kids a chance to discover new strengths, develop lasting friendships, and create memories in some of the most beautiful places in the country.
More Than Miles: Skills and Confidence That Last
Backpacking is about more than reaching a destination. It’s an opportunity to learn, grow, and discover what you’re capable of accomplishing.
Throughout the summer, our campers practiced essential outdoor skills, learned how to navigate life in the backcountry, and discovered the importance of working together. From packing their backpacks and setting up camp to practicing Leave No Trace principles, each day provided opportunities to become more confident and responsible outdoor enthusiasts.
Building Confidence Through Challenge
Trying something new can be intimidating, especially when it means spending several days in the wilderness. But with encouragement from experienced guides and support from their fellow campers, young adventurers have opportunities to step outside their comfort zones and discover their own capabilities.
Every challenging hike, new skill mastered, and destination reached becomes another opportunity to build confidence and independence.
Learning the Power of Teamwork
On the trail, everyone plays a role in the group’s success. Campers learn to encourage one another, share responsibilities, and work through challenges together. Each kid is given responsibilities that rotate, including Leader of the Day, H20 Heroes, and group Naturalist.
These shared experiences help foster friendships and teach valuable lessons about cooperation, resilience, and supporting others. Sometimes, the most rewarding part of a difficult day is knowing you made it through together.
Becoming Stewards of the Outdoors
Time in the wilderness also offers an opportunity to develop a deeper connection to the natural world.
Our guides teach campers about responsible recreation, Leave No Trace principles, and the natural and cultural histories of the places we explore. By learning to appreciate these environments and understand our responsibility to protect them, campers can carry a spirit of stewardship into their future adventures.
The Moments That Make Summer Camp Special
Of course, not every unforgettable moment happens on the trail.
Some of the best memories come from the time spent between destinations: laughing with new friends, sharing meals at camp, discovering something unexpected along the way, or enjoying a quiet moment surrounded by nature.
It’s the conversations during a long hike, the excitement of arriving at a beautiful campsite, and the feeling of accomplishment after a day spent exploring. These seemingly small moments often become the stories campers tell when they return home.
For many young adventurers, summer camp is also an opportunity to meet people who share their interests, try activities they may never have experienced before, and develop a greater sense of independence away from their everyday routines.
And while every trip is different, the friendships, discoveries, and shared accomplishments are what make each summer unique.
The People Behind the Adventures
A memorable summer in the wilderness takes a dedicated team.
Our guides do more than lead the way. They teach outdoor skills, share their park knowledge, encourage campers through new challenges, and help create a supportive environment where young adventurers can learn and grow. They do it in a colorful, creative way that encourages kids to see the outdoors as a place to have fun while learning about the environment around them.
Behind every trip are hours of preparation, careful planning, and a shared commitment to providing meaningful wilderness experiences. From the first day on the trail to the final moments of each adventure, our team works to make every trip an educational and memorable experience.
As a nonprofit organization, Lasting Adventures is also committed to making impactful outdoor experiences accessible to young people and fostering the next generation of environmental stewards. Every summer reminds us why this work matters: time in the wilderness can help young people build confidence, strengthen connections, and develop a lasting appreciation for the natural world.
We’re grateful to our guides, campers, families, and supporters who made this season possible.
Looking Ahead to Summer 2027
As we wrap up another incredible summer, we’re already looking forward to the next season of wilderness adventures.
This summer brought together young explorers from different backgrounds and experience levels, united by a shared desire to get outside, discover new places, and see what they’re capable of accomplishing. From the first steps on the trail to the final day of a longer expedition, every trip offered opportunities to learn, grow, and create memories that will last well beyond summer.
And the next adventure is just around the corner.
Planning ahead for next summer? Our 2027 Summer Camp programs are now available!
Whether your young adventurer is preparing for their first backpacking trip or ready to take on a longer wilderness expedition, Lasting Adventures offers a variety of programs in Yosemite and Olympic National Parks. With experienced guides, incredible landscapes, and opportunities to develop outdoor skills and confidence, summer 2027 is a chance to experience the magic of the wilderness firsthand.
Ready to start planning?
We can’t wait to hit the trail with another incredible group of adventurers!
