Trip Highlights:
Our 6-Day Young Adventurer's Backpacking Summer Camps in Washington’s Olympic National Park are designed for participants ages 11-13 who are either new or experienced backpackers. With shorter hiking days and an easier itinerary than the teen program, campers are guided by world-class outdoor educators with a focus on leadership and outdoor skill-building. Hiking some of the Olympics' most scenic trails, campers explore the bountiful beauty that the Olympic scenery has to offer, showcased by the mild, warm weather of summer. Every evening ends in a spectacular sunset, often followed by campfires and cocoa! Challenges complimented by fun and support from certified outdoor educators lead to a profound and often life-changing adventure for all!
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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.
This is a Sample Itinerary only and is subject to change.
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 at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles, 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 relocate to our camp for the night. 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 the Ozette Trailhead and Ranger Station to launch our adventure. We will hike along boardwalk that weaves through refreshing misty coastal forest, covering about 3-miles to the Sand Point Campground. Sand Point offers campsite choices of either under the forest canopy or on the beach. This is also a great spot to explore tidepools and look for wildlife. 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 along the coast, enjoying the sound of the ocean and each other’s company.
Day 4: A 3.1-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, and on mostly baordwalk again as we return to the Ozette Trailhead. Here, 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 and is subject to change.
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.
Scholarship Application – Every youth deserves this opportunity!
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.
REQUIRED FORMS
In addition to full payment, the final acceptance of any participant is subject to receipt and review of all the Required Forms. These forms are also attached to your confirmation email once you register online.
We will require an additional medical release for any guests on multi-day trips, any “Half Dome in a Day” hiker, or any guest 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.
DIETARY CONSTRAINTS
Although we are able to accommodate many specific dietary constraints and choices, we prepare foods in a facility with peanuts, gluten, soy, and other major allergens and are not certified as an ‘allergen-free’ facility. We take steps to limit the risk of cross-contamination, but we cannot guarantee that the foods we prepare will be fully free of major allergens.
We have experience in accommodating a variety of dietary choices and concerns, including, but not limited to:
If we have questions or concerns about the information on your medical form, we will call you the day before your trip to ensure we are packing foods you are able to eat without issue.
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.
STAFF SCHEDULES
Due to the nature of backpacking, our guides work long hours. To provide the best possible experience to our guests and guides, we limit the number of hours our guides work to 15 hours per day. Guides will not be required to be available from 9 pm to 6 am unless the group agrees to a different period before this standard break. This varies on our summer camps, where outdoor educators are always available as needed.
During time off, our guides will be available for emergencies but should be allowed to rest and not be considered available for other purposes outside of working hours. Please don’t request non-time-sensitive assistance from guides during this period. Our guides are also entitled to take 10 minutes every four hours and 30-minute meal breaks every 5 hours, between 6 am and 9 pm. We appreciate your cooperation with these scheduling requirements.
FIREARM POLICY
Lasting Adventures understands that firearm laws and policies vary in each of the areas in which we operate. Regardless of local laws and policies, Lasting Adventures does not allow firearms on our trips. Participants who bring firearms will not be allowed to participate while possessing them.
COUPONS
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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. Othe
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 backpacking trips and 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. Final Lodging/Hiking package payments are due 45 days in advance. Any new multi-day booking made at/within 45 days in advance must be paid in full. Feel free to contact us directly to set up any other payment plan.
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. 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 Guide Service multi-day trips have a two-person minimum. (Yoga trips have a three-person minimum.) Our Summer Camps have a four-person minimum. Should 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 single-participant 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.
COUPONS
See our Coupon Use Terms and Conditions.
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