Top 5 Backpacking Summer Camps for Teens
Adventure, growth, and wilderness memories that last a lifetime Summer is a golden gateway for teens to stretch their legs, broaden their horizons, and build confidence under open skies. Backpacking camps do more than hike miles — they foster leadership, teamwork, friendship, resilience, and a deep connection with nature’s best classrooms. Here are the top […]
All About Animals in Olympic National Park: Wildlife to Watch For
Olympic National Park is one of the most ecologically diverse places in the United States — from coastal tidepools to moss-draped rainforests to high alpine ridges. That diversity creates a haven for wildlife, offering visitors a chance to see animals found almost nowhere else in the country. Whether you’re joining a Lasting Adventures guided backpacking […]
Outdoor Education: Learning Beyond the Classroom
Our world is filled with classrooms — from indoor desks to computer screens. But some of the most impactful lessons don’t happen under fluorescent lights. They happen under open skies, among towering trees, beside rushing rivers, or on the trail beneath granite peaks. That’s why outdoor education — learning in real natural environments — matters […]
Eco-Friendly Travel: How to Minimize Impact on National Parks
America’s national parks are some of our greatest treasures—places where ancient granite walls meet endless skies, where wildlife still roams freely, and where countless visitors find awe, perspective, and peace. But they’re also fragile. And during the recent government shutdown, we witnessed exactly how vulnerable these landscapes are: overflowing trash bins, damaged facilities, cut-down trees, […]
Admin Spotlight: Meet Hannah, Olympic Site Director
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to keep Lasting Adventures’ Olympic National Park program running smoothly, look no further than Hannah Jeruc—the powerhouse behind the scenes who somehow manages to blend logistical mastery, youth mentorship, and a love of gummies into one incredible role. Hannah’s story doesn’t begin in a ranger station or alpine […]
All About Animals in Yosemite: Wildlife to Watch For
Yosemite National Park is famous for its granite walls, roaring waterfalls, and giant sequoias — but its wildlife is just as iconic. From black bears shuffling through meadows to mule deer grazing at dawn, Yosemite is home to an incredible variety of animals that thrive in its forests, rivers, and high-country wilderness. Whether you’re joining […]
What Does AI Have to Say About Yosemite National Park?
It’s new, it’s fascinating, and sometimes it’s scary. Artificial Intelligence, or AI for short, has been in the headlines for years, raising ethical questions about its applications and the effect it will have on the world. This got me thinking. If AI is a composite of the information it is being fed from various sources, […]
Best Yosemite & Olympic Backpacking Trips of 2025
As we wrap up another incredible year of guiding, we’re proud to reflect on how far we’ve come — and to look ahead at what’s next. From deep forests to granite summits, our adventurers have pushed limits, discovered wonder, and formed lasting memories. Our guides led hundreds of guests through some of the nation’s most […]
Best of Lasting Adventures Summer Camp Season – 2025 Recap 🌄
Another unforgettable Summer Camp season is in the books, and we couldn’t be prouder of the experiences, growth, and community we shared in 2025. From rugged coastlines to towering granite peaks, 370 youth adventurers joined us in exploring wild spaces, gaining confidence, and building lifelong memories. Here’s a look back at the highlights, milestones, and […]
Why Late Summer 2025 Is the Best Time to Visit Yosemite in Years
If you’re planning a trip to Yosemite National Park, late summer 2025 may be your best window in years. As someone who has been guiding in Yosemite for over three decades, I can confidently say this season offers a rare combination of beauty, tranquility, and accessibility that’s not to be missed. Why Late Summer Is […]
Meet Your Guide: Anna
From mountain peaks to ocean depths, Anna Stumpf is a guide who knows how to explore it all. With a Master’s degree in Hydrology and Water Security, multiple certifications (WFR, ski instructor, scuba instructor 🧗‍♀️🌊⛷️), and an infectious enthusiasm for wild places, Anna brings both heart and science to every trip she leads. 🏡 Hometown: […]
Meet Your Guide: Chris
Say hello to one of our newest guides, Chris Buckman — an experienced adventurer, educator, and all-around outdoors enthusiast who’s been guiding in various capacities for over a decade! Whether it’s rafting wild rivers or hiking iconic trails, Chris brings a passion for nature and people wherever he goes. đź‘‹ đź“Ť Hometown: Moberly, Missouri 🧠[…]
Guide Spotlight: Jack
Meet Jack Curran — a big-wall-climbing, doom-metal-marching, breakfast-cooking desert dreamer with a serious passion for sharing the wild with others. 🥾🎨🎸 🌲 How Jack Got Outdoorsy Jack grew up climbing trees and stomping puddles in rural Texas. 🌳🌧️ After high school, unsure of what came next, he took a NOLS course—and it lit a fire […]
Meet Your Guide: Maggie
Meet Maggie McCann, a 23-year-old guide whose roots in the 🌲 Oregon Cascades planted the seeds for a life of adventure and connection in the outdoors. With a degree in 🌍 Environmental Earth & Soil Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a WFR certification, Maggie brings both heart and knowledge to every trail […]
Meet Your Guide: Janus
At Lasting Adventures, we’re always excited to welcome new talent to the team, and our guide Janus brings an impressive blend of experience, curiosity, and a calming presence to every adventure. With a background in physics and computer science 🧑‍💻🔬, Janus may have taken an unconventional path into guiding, but once you hit the trail […]