6-Day Young Adventurer’s Backpacking Summer Camps: Coastal Adventure
This is a Sample Itinerary only.
Highlights: Our Young Adventurer’s 6-day Youth Backpacking Summer Camps in Washington’s Olympic National Park are designed for participants ages 11-13, who are both new or experienced backpackers. These programs will offer shorter hiking distances, and promote leadership, skill-building and an introduction to camping, backpacking, and the outdoors while among the old growth forests, granite peaks, and pristine rivers of Olympic National Park! This summer camp near Seattle is sure to please!
Day 1: Your journey begins with meeting your Guides/Counselors, getting to know your group, and becoming familiar with your backpacking gear. After a group orientation where we answer any last-minute questions, we will spend the rest of the day exploring the scenic Lake Crescent. In the evening, we will participate in activities that will help build bonds while setting goals as a group to prepare for the trip ahead.
Day 2: We start the day with morning circle time, including stretches, map review, and goal setting before catching a morning shuttle to La Push to launch our adventure at the Rialto Beach Trail. We will hike along the beach with towering sea stacks, covering about 3 miles to reach Sand Point campsite. Here, we will 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 3: Today, we have the opportunity to layover at camp and savor the beauty of the coastline. We’ll practice navigating tides, hike through the coastal forest above the ocean, learn about geology and biodiversity, and explore the tide pools. We will spend another night camping on the beach, enjoying the sound of the ocean and each other’s company.
Day 4: A 5-mile hike along the beach brings us to Camp Alava, a stunningly beautiful beach campsite and the northernmost part of our journey, as well as the westernmost point in the continental US. We’ll keep an eye out for historical and culturally significant petroglyphs estimated to be 300-500 years old. We will have time to explore further north along the coast on a day hike and enjoy a sunset over the ocean while relaxing on massive driftwood logs.
Day 5: Our final day of hiking sees us hiking about 3 miles through the coastal forest, a dramatic shift from the previous days spent on the beach. We’ll meet up with our shuttle and be transported to the Fairholme campground to enjoy our last evening before the end of the trip.
Day 6: A slow and easy morning allows us to pack down, separate gear, and finish up any games/lessons/activities before saying our final goodbyes and parting ways.
6-Day Young Adventurer’s Backpacking Summer Camps: Mountain Adventure
This is a Sample Itinerary only.
Day 1: Your adventure begins at noon when you’ll meet your Guides/Counselors. After getting to know your group and backpacking gear, we’ll hold a group orientation to answer any lingering questions. Then, we’ll hit the trail and hike to our first destination, Spike Camp, where we’ll spend our first night in the backcountry, enjoying dinner and getting to know each other games.
Day 2: After morning circle time (stretches, map review, goal setting, etc.) we will embark on our second day of hiking along a nice roaring river to camp at Camp Pleasant. We will play plenty of trail games and tell stories keeping spirits high as we pass through forests draped in mosses and slime molds.
Day 3: After waking up, we’ll hike over to Nine Stream Campground and have the rest of the day to explore nearby waterfalls and play along the stream.
Day 4: Today, we have an opportunity to base camp at Nine Stream. You can choose to venture on an elevation-heavy day hike to reach stunning alpine views or explore human history, biodiversity, and geology around camp.
Day 5: On our way back to Spike camp, we’ll have a relaxed morning and take time to identify the flora and fauna of the forest. In the afternoon, we’ll reflect on our trip and wrap up with some final lessons in the shade of towering trees near the river.
Day 6: Our final day will include a solo walk to the trailhead with stops at secret river viewing spots to appreciate the roaring rapids and savor some salmonberries before bidding farewell to the backcountry.
Other: On all of our summer youth programs we have daily circle time in the morning 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 or in the afternoon or evening at the campsite, our Guides 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.
