Trip Highlights:
Ranging from rugged coastlines to lush rainforests, high alpine lakes, and glaciers, Olympic National Park offers one of the most spectacular settings for our 6-Day Olympic Backpacking Adventure for Teens. This Washington Adventure Camp is designed for youth ages 13-18 (broken into groups of those recently completing the 7th- 9th grades and the 10th- 12th grades). Our team has significant experience in the Olympic wilderness, and we design exceptional itineraries for these 6-day adventures. Over the 6-days, participants will either explore along the most northwest coastline in the contiguous United States, the rugged North Coast route, or explore one of many different mountain treks that typically start in a lush rainforest before climbing higher to alpine lakes and scenic vistas. Daily, participants will engage in games, initiatives, and shared leadership roles within the group. Our Outdoor Educators will also share environmental and historical highlights of the region in a fun and exciting way. Whether joining us for a first-time backpacking experience or having had backpacked before, participants should have a passion for the outdoors, roughing it, getting a bit wet and/or dirty, and creating friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
For the 2025 Season:
Age Range
Price
Length
Length
YOUTH PROGRAM ADVENTURE SHUTTLE
Lasting Adventures will be providing transportation from near the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and the greater Seattle-Tacoma area to our Youth Backpacking Programs in Olympic National Park. Skip the long drive and traffic while helping save the environment.
All 2025 trip dates/types are tentative until permits are received after April 20th. Feel free to contact us after April 20th if you would like to confirm which dates are Mountain or Coastal.
Olympic 6-Day Teen Coastal Adventure:
This is a Sample Itinerary only and is subject to change. Coastal Departure Dates: 6/29, 7/13, 8/10, 8/24
Day 1: Join your outdoor educators/counselors and fellow campers at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles. We’ll do a quick bag pack and check, map review, and goal setting before catching a shuttle to Rialto Beach to start our hike. As we hike along the beach with towering sea stacks, we’ll cover about 3 miles to reach Sand Point campsite. Here, we’ll relax and learn about marine life as we camp on the beach under a blanket of stars, sharing stories and playing games on the endless stretches of sand.
Day 2: Start the day with a refreshing stretch and breakfast, followed by our morning meeting routine (stretches, map review, goal setting, etc.) before setting out for the approximately 5.5-mile hike to Yellow Banks.
Day 3: After our morning routine, we’ll set out for another 5.5 miles to our first primitive campsite at Norwegian Memorial. The relatively flat terrain offers an awesome interactive experience with the rugged coastline. We’ll spend another night camping on the beach, enjoying the sound of the ocean and each other’s company.
Day 4: Enjoy a morning stretch and breakfast before setting out for the approximately 5.5-mile hike to our next camp at Chilean. Along the way, we’ll practice navigating tides, hike through the coastal forest above the ocean, learn about geology and biodiversity, and explore the tide pools.
Day 5: Today, we’ll cover another 5 miles, starting the day with a hearty breakfast before packing up camp and making our way toward Hole in the Wall campground. This is our final night, so we’ll savor the experience by enjoying each other’s company while playing games, viewing the blanket of stars above our heads, and participating in our beloved bracelet ceremony.
Day 6: On our last day, we’ll hike out to the trailhead, meet our transport to the Fairholme Boat Launch for pickup with the parents, and say our final goodbyes.
Olympic 6-Day Teen Mountain Adventure:
This is a Sample Itinerary only and is subject to change. Mountain Departure Dates: 6/22, 7/6, 7/20, 8/17
Day 1: You will meet your Counselors/Outdoor Educators. You will have time to become acquainted with your group as well as your backpacking gear. We will then facilitate a group orientation, answering any last parent or participant questions before hitting the trail. We will hike to Spike Camp where we will settle in for our first night in the backcountry with dinner and the promise of incredible views and memories over the coming days. Today’s Mileage: approx 3.7 mi
Day 2: After morning meeting (stretches, map review, goal setting, etc.) we will embark on our second day of hiking along a nice roaring river to camp at Nine Stream. We will play plenty of trail games and tell stories keeping spirits high as we pass through forests draped in mosses and slime molds. Today’s Mileage: approx 5.6 mi
Day 3: Today will be our longest and hardest elevation day, hiking to Home Sweet Home Campground. Although strenuous, we will be rewarded with abundant wildflowers as we hike out of the thick forests and into the subalpine, where the views open up to the majestic Olympic mountains. Looking back on the valleys and lakes below, we will be able to see just how far we have come already. Today’s Mileage: approx 4.0 mi and lots of uphill (about 2600′).
Day 4: Today we will turn around and head back down the hill toward another evening at Nine Stream. Today’s Mileage: approx 4.0 mi and strenous downhill.
Day 5: On our second to last day, we will continue to Spike camp. Because of the familiar low elevation and lower mileage day, we can have a relaxed morning and take our time identifying all of the flora and fauna of the forest. We will spend the afternoon learning about the geological, cultural, and human history of the park as we relax in the shade of giant trees near the river. Today’s Mileage: approx 5.6 mi
Day 6: On our final day we will conclude our trip by taking a solo walk our way out to the trailhead. Stopping to visit some secret spots to view the roaring rapids of the river, and enjoying some salmonberries before the trip ends. Today’s Mileage: approx 3.7 mi
Other: On all of our summer youth programs, we have a daily morning meeting where youth engage in group games, share highlights, offer praise to each other, stretch, review maps and day itineraries, and set individual and group goals for the day. Also, whether breaking on the trail in the afternoon or evening at the campsite, our Outdoor Educators also facilitate additional opportunities for youth to develop a personal connection with nature. Problem-solving and initiative games are common, as are smiles. Additional outdoor skills are gained as we practice Leave No Trace principles and promote environmental stewardship throughout the length of the program.
Note: Please remember this is only a sample itinerary and actual itineraries are subject to change. If we are unable to obtain the permits, or if various conditions make this itinerary unfeasible, we will provide an alternative trailhead and itinerary in Olympic National Park.
Meeting/Pickup Times and Locations:
A link to a map of the final meeting location will be shared via email two weeks before your trip. All meeting locations will include parking areas or enough room to pull off of the road, as well as an area for the youth to pack.
Unless otherwise notified, you will pick up your child at 12 pm (noon) on the final day of the trip (Friday) at the same location where you dropped them off.
REQUIRED FORMS
In addition to full payment, the final acceptance of any participant is subject to receipt and review of all the Required Forms. For overnight adventures, you will find these forms attached to your confirmation email once you register online and must be filled out by each member of your party as soon as possible.
We will require an additional medical release for any participant who is currently under the care of a physician for any ongoing disease, illness, or any other condition/factor that may be a concern on the trip.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
For your protection and ours, we strongly recommend the purchase of Travel Insurance, which can provide you with coverage for trip cancellation/interruption (including COVID-19), travel delay, medical expenses, emergency assistance, airfare, and baggage loss/delay to protect your financial investment. We recommend those with “cancel for any reason” clauses included. See reviews of some of the best Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance Options presented by Forbes or Squaremouth. Other good student options include InsureMyTrip and Allianz Travel Insurance for Students.
Travel Insurance is the easiest and best way to protect yourself and our smaller non-profit organization against last-minute cancellations. We are happy to provide timely and accurate documentation for any insurance claim related to our trips when requested. Please remember that when canceling a reservation, you must first contact the company responsible for ensuring your reservation.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Full payment is preferred for all youth programs/summer camps. During check-out, you may pay a 50% deposit at the time of booking and the remaining 50% at least 30 days from departure. If choosing this option, you can either complete payment on your own with the self-service link in the confirmation email, or you will be billed automatically at or shortly after the 30-day interval for the remaining amount.
When registering online, expect to pay a booking fee of 3.0% (which is capped at $30) and a processing fee of 2.7% (no cap). These fees can be avoided when paying by check and are non-refundable. For detailed information, see our Payment Options page.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICIES
Lasting Adventures reserves the right to cancel trips. If a trip is canceled due to circumstances beyond our control, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued. Lasting Adventures is not responsible for additional expenses incurred while preparing for the trip.
The following cancellation policy is only for trips booked directly through our official website, lastingadventures.com. If you have booked via a third-party website (such as TripAdvisor/Viator, bookyogaretreats.com, or 57Hours), the below policy does not apply, and you are held to the third-party’s cancellation policy.
Multi-Day Adventures/Summer Camps Cancellation Policy
48-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation Policy
Any reservation can be canceled within 48 hours of the initial booking, and we will grant you a full refund minus a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions. After 48 hours, our standard terms and conditions apply. To cancel, please email us at staff@lastingadventures.org or leave a voicemail at 800-513-8651. This policy does not apply if the booked trip occurs within 96 hours of the initial booking.
Fire/Smoke Cancellation Policy
Fire/smoke cancellations are considered circumstances beyond our control. If your chosen travel insurance does not cover fire/smoke cancellations, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued. If we cancel during your adventure with us, we will issue a non-refundable credit equal to the dollar amount associated with the number of days not used. In both cases, these credits will be lifetime/transferable but non-refundable.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Departing From a Trip: Once a participant has joined a trip and the trip has begun, no refunds or credits will be issued, regardless of the reason for departure. Costs associated with assisting a participant with evacuating from the wilderness will be passed on to the participant. Travel Insurance is strongly recommended.
Minimum Participants: Our summer camps require a minimum of four participants. Our 27-Day Leadership Expedition requires a minimum of six participants. If for any reason, we fall short of our 6-person minimum on this trip, the confirmed youth will be scheduled together on two consecutive 13-day programs in Yosemite with a layover in between in a front country campsite. If we fall short on these minimums, we will contact you 30 days before your scheduled start date with options that may include switching to another trip/date and/or a surcharge.
Infectious Illness Policy (including COVID): Any participant on any program/trip with any sign/symptom of a potential illness will not be able to participate, and no refund or credits will be given. Many forms of Travel Insurance cover these circumstances. We ask that you screen yourself and/or your child before participating and contact us to cancel if any sign of illness is present. Health screenings can be expected in all youth programs.
Half Dome & Other Summits: Reaching the top of a summit, such as Half Dome, is risky and can be made far worse by inclement weather. While we aim to get everyone to the top, summiting is not guaranteed. Lightning and rain can be deadly on exposed summits, and our experienced guides may have to call off a summit bid if weather conditions are unfavorable. You will not be allowed to summit using a Lasting Adventures permit should the experienced guide decide the conditions are not favorable.
TRIP CHANGE/CREDIT POLICY
Once you book a trip with Lasting Adventures, the value you paid is valid towards switching to another trip in the current or the coming year, pending available spaces on the new trip. Changes to your booking and conversion to credit must occur more than 30 days before your original start date. Changes within 30 days are subject to fees. Once changed to a lifetime/transferrable credit, credits are non-refundable and are a dollar-for-dollar value.
RECREATIONAL SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM
Our summer camp programs are purely recreational and should not be confused with a wilderness therapy program. Our staff is trained as summer camp counselors, outdoor educators, and guides, and they are not required nor expected to have training/experience in therapeutic programs. Your child should individually have the desire to participate in this program and should not be sent against their will. Additionally, all participants should have experience at sleepaway camps and/or being away from their parents/guardians for multiple nights. No refunds or credits will be issued for evacuations due to social, emotional, and/or behavioral reasons. In addition, due to said concerns, there will be a minimum fee of $500 for any field evacuation.
TRADITIONAL BACKPACKING
Lasting Adventures runs “traditional backpacking” trips. This is done without using porters, stock, or other outside assistance. For this trip, you will be expected to carry your personal gear, a share of the group gear, and food in a backpack. The weight can be expected to be 30-50 lb. and no more than the recommended ⅓ of your body weight.
As needed, it is recommended that participants discuss their ability to fully participate in a backpacking trip with their doctor, including (but not limited to) the ability to carry heavy loads over long distances and strenuous and uneven terrain. Levels of difficulty listed on our website are relative and in no way an objective declaration of difficulty. A regular physical exercise program is recommended before going on your adventure.
TRIP ITINERARIES
All trips are subject to itinerary changes for various reasons, including, but not limited to permitting, weather, forest fires, park or public land closures, and/or road closures. In most situations, we will offer an alternative itinerary of equal value and quality or a credit equal to the total amount paid through the end of the following season. Payments are non-refundable for itinerary changes. If a trip is canceled before its start date due to circumstances beyond our control, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued.
COUPONS
See our Coupon Use Terms and Conditions.
Meeting/Pickup Times and Locations:
A link to a map of the final meeting location will be shared via email two weeks before your trip. All meeting locations will include parking areas or enough room to pull off of the road, as well as an area for the youth to pack.
Unless otherwise notified, you will pick up your child at 12 pm (noon) on the final day of the trip (Friday) at the same location where you dropped them off.
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